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 leading complex safeguarding work, supporting children and families, and mentoring colleagues to deliver safe, effective, and high-quality social work practice.
As a Senior Social Worker, you will manage complex casework, provide guidance to less experienced staff, and work in partnership with families and multi-agency professionals to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.
Key Responsibilities
Lead on complex safeguarding and child protection cases.
Undertake statutory assessments under the Children Act to identify risks, needs, and strengths.
Develop, implement, and review care and protection plans that put children at the centre.
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.
Build positive, trusting relationships with children, young people, and families.
Work collaboratively with schools, health professionals, police, and voluntary organisations to deliver coordinated, multi-agency support.
Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant case recording in line with legislation and Lambeth Council policies.
Contribute to reflective supervision, peer learning, and continuous service development.
About You
You are a confident and resilient social worker with substantial post-qualification experience in children’s services. You are skilled in managing complex safeguarding cases, guiding colleagues, and ensuring children’s voices are central to practice and decision-making.
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 less experienced colleagues.
Strong knowledge of child protection legislation, statutory frameworks, and best practice.
Excellent assessment, communication, and report-writing skills.
Contract & Salary
Employer: **London Borough of Lambeth**
Service: Children’s Services
Role: Senior Social Worker (Qualified Social Worker)
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 take on 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**.