Locum Safeguarding Senior Social Worker

Senior Social Worker – Children’s Services

Location: London Borough of Havering

Contract Type: Locum / Temporary

Duration: 3 months

Salary: £negotiable

Start Date: ASAP

About the Role

The London Borough of Havering is seeking an experienced and confident Senior Social Worker to join our Children’s Services team on a 3-month interim contract. This is an excellent opportunity to work within a progressive, child-focused local authority that is committed to ensuring children and young people receive the highest standard of care and support.

As a Senior Social Worker, you will play a crucial role in safeguarding and supporting children, young people, and their families through high-quality assessments, planning, and interventions. You will manage complex cases, provide expert guidance to colleagues, and help drive continuous improvement within your team. Your focus will be on delivering meaningful, lasting change that promotes safety, stability, and positive outcomes for every child.

Main Responsibilities

 
• Undertake comprehensive assessments of children and families in line with statutory duties and best practice standards.
   

• Develop, implement, and review Child in Need, Child Protection, and Care Plans that are tailored to each child’s individual needs.
   

• Manage a caseload of complex and high-risk cases, ensuring timely and effective interventions.
   

• Work closely with children, young people, and families to build positive, trusting relationships that support meaningful change.
   

• Provide professional guidance and support to less experienced social workers, promoting reflective and evidence-based practice.
   

• Prepare high-quality reports and represent the local authority in court and multi-agency meetings as required.
   

• Ensure the child’s voice is central to all planning and decision-making processes.
   

• Contribute to team development, reflective supervision, and service improvement activities.

Requirements

 
• Essential qualification: Degree in Social Work (DipSW, CQSW, CSS, or equivalent).
   

• Registration: Registered with Social Work England.
   

• Significant post-qualifying experience in children’s social care, including safeguarding, assessment, and court work.
   

• Proven ability to manage complex cases and deliver high-quality outcomes under pressure.
   

• Strong understanding of relevant legislation, statutory frameworks, and best practice in child protection and family support.
   

• Excellent communication, analytical, and report-writing skills.
   

• Ability to work effectively within a multi-agency and multidisciplinary environment.
   

• Commitment to child-centred, trauma-informed, and strengths-based social work practice.

Why Join?

The London Borough of Havering offers a dynamic and supportive working environment, where innovation and professional development are actively encouraged. You’ll join a forward-thinking local authority that values its social workers and promotes collaborative, relationship-based practice across all levels.

This short-term opportunity allows you to make a real impact in a local authority that is focused on improving outcomes and providing stability for children and families.

Interested? Apply now to join the London Borough of Havering’s Children’s Services as a Senior Social Worker and help create positive change for children, young people, and their families.