Locum Safeguarding Senior Social Worker

Senior Social Worker – Children’s Services (CSW)

Location: London Borough of Sutton

Contract Type: Locum / Temporary

Duration: 3 months

Salary: £negotiable

Start Date: ASAP

About the Role

The London Borough of Sutton is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Social Worker (CSW) to join our Children’s Services team on a 3-month interim basis. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking local authority that puts children, families, and professional practice at the centre of everything it does.

As a Senior Social Worker, you will take a lead role in managing complex cases, supporting less experienced colleagues, and driving best practice across the team. You will work directly with children and families to deliver effective interventions that ensure safety, stability, and improved outcomes, while also contributing to the development of high-quality, relationship-based social work.

Main Responsibilities

 
• Undertake complex 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 promote the welfare and development of children.
   

• Provide professional guidance, mentoring, and support to social workers and newly qualified staff within the team.
   

• Work collaboratively with partner agencies to ensure coordinated, effective safeguarding and family support.
   

• Prepare high-quality, analytical reports for court, case conferences, and child protection meetings.
   

• Promote child-centred, strengths-based, and trauma-informed practice across all aspects of your work.
   

• Ensure children’s voices are heard and reflected in assessments and care planning.
   

• Contribute to reflective supervision, service development, and continuous improvement within the team.
   

• Manage a complex caseload while maintaining professional standards, timely interventions, and effective decision-making.

Requirements

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

• Registration: Registered with Social Work England.
   

• Significant post-qualifying experience within children’s social care, including safeguarding, assessment, and care proceedings.
   

• Strong understanding of child protection legislation, statutory frameworks, and evidence-based practice.
   

• Excellent communication, assessment, and analytical skills with the ability to write high-quality reports.
   

• Ability to lead by example, supporting and guiding colleagues to deliver best practice.
   

• Commitment to relational, reflective, and restorative practice approaches.

Why Join?

The London Borough of Sutton offers a supportive, innovative, and professional working environment that encourages reflective practice, collaboration, and continuous learning. You’ll work within a dynamic team where your skills, experience, and professional insight will make a direct impact on improving outcomes for children and families.

This 3-month opportunity is ideal for a confident and capable Senior Social Worker who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to delivering exceptional social work practice within a progressive local authority.

Interested? Apply now to join the London Borough of Sutton as a Senior Social Worker and help shape brighter futures for children and young people across the borough.