Locum Safeguarding Qualified Social Worker
London, Greater London
Social Worker – Children Looked After
Brief Job Overview
We are looking for an experienced and dedicated Social Worker to join the Children Looked After (CLA) Team at the London Borough of Hackney on a 3-month locum contract. This role is ideal for a compassionate and skilled practitioner with a strong understanding of the challenges faced by looked after children and young people.
You will play a key role in ensuring the best possible outcomes for children in care by delivering high-quality, relationship-based social work that promotes stability, safety, and wellbeing.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of Looked After Children (LAC), ensuring all statutory responsibilities are fulfilled and reviews are completed within required timescales.
- Develop and maintain care and pathway plans that promote positive outcomes in education, health, and emotional wellbeing.
- Build and sustain meaningful relationships with children and young people to ensure their voices are central to decision-making.
- Undertake regular visits to children in care placements, providing ongoing support and ensuring placement stability.
- Work closely with foster carers, residential providers, and partner agencies to coordinate support and interventions.
- Prepare clear, analytical reports for statutory reviews, case conferences, and court proceedings when required.
- Monitor and review the progress of care plans and placements, ensuring actions are followed through and outcomes achieved.
- Contribute to permanence planning, including long-term fostering, adoption, or reunification with family where appropriate.
- Participate in supervision, reflective practice sessions, and team meetings to enhance continuous learning and development.
About You
You are a confident and committed social worker with a passion for improving the lives of children and young people in care. You bring experience in statutory children’s services, excellent communication skills, and a strong ability to manage complex caseloads. You are reflective, resilient, and motivated by achieving the best outcomes for every child you support.
Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
- Minimum of three years’ post-qualified experience within children’s social care.
- Experience working with Looked After Children (LAC) and care planning processes.
- Sound understanding of the Children Act 1989 and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.
- Strong assessment, planning, and report-writing skills.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multi-agency team.
- Commitment to relationship-based, child-centred practice.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
Contract & Salary
- Job Type: Locum
- Location: London Borough of Hackney
- Service Area: Children’s Services – Looked After Children
- Contract Length: 3 months
- Salary: Negotiable, dependent on experience
- Working Hours: Full-time
- Working Pattern: Hybrid / Office-based as required
How to Apply
If you are a dedicated and experienced Social Worker passionate about supporting children in care to achieve their potential, we’d love to hear from you.
Please apply using the form on the page.