Locum Child Protection Senior Social Worker
London, Greater London
Senior Social Worker – Children’s Services (London Borough of Lambeth)
Job Overview
We are recruiting an experienced **Senior Social Worker (Qualified Social Worker – QSW)** to join the **London Borough of Lambeth Children’s Services team**. This role focuses on managing complex safeguarding cases, mentoring colleagues, and ensuring that children and families receive the highest standards of social work practice.
As a Senior Social Worker, you will lead on challenging casework, support junior staff, and work collaboratively with families and partner agencies to deliver safe and positive outcomes for children.
Key Responsibilities
Lead on complex child protection and safeguarding cases.
Undertake statutory assessments under the Children Act to identify risks, needs, and strengths.
Develop, implement, and review care and protection plans that promote children’s safety and wellbeing.
Provide mentoring, coaching, and professional guidance to junior and newly qualified social workers.
Prepare and present evidence-based reports for child protection conferences, statutory reviews, and court proceedings.
Work directly with children, young people, and families to build positive and trusting relationships.
Collaborate with schools, health services, police, and voluntary organisations to ensure coordinated, multi-agency support.
Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant case recording in line with legislation and Lambeth Council policies.
Contribute to reflective supervision, service audits, and continuous improvement within the team.
About You
You are a confident and resilient social worker with substantial post-qualification experience in children’s services. You are skilled at handling complex safeguarding cases, supporting colleagues, and ensuring that children’s needs remain at the centre of practice.
Requirements
Qualified Social Worker (QSW) with registration to **Social Work England**.
Extensive post-qualification experience within Children’s Services.
Proven ability to manage complex safeguarding and child protection cases.
Experience of mentoring, coaching, or supporting colleagues.
Excellent knowledge of child protection legislation, statutory frameworks, and best practice.
Strong communication, assessment, and report-writing skills.
Contract & Salary
Employer: **London Borough of Lambeth**
Service: Children’s Services
Contract type: Full-time, locum/temporary contract via Tripod Partners
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
How to Apply
If you are an experienced Qualified Social Worker ready to step into a Senior role within the London Borough of Lambeth’s Children’s Services, we would like to hear from you. Please **apply using the form on the page**.