Social Worker / Senior Social Worker – Cared for Children Team

Social Worker / Senior Social Worker – Cared for Children Team (Permanent)

Location: London Borough of Hillingdon (Hybrid working available)
Salary: £42,771 – £52,194 (dependent on experience)
Retention Payment of £2,250
Contract: Permanent

The Role
As a Social Worker / Senior Social Worker within the Cared for Children Team, you will:
Hold responsibility for children and young people who are looked after by the local authority.
Build strong, consistent relationships with children, carers, and families to promote stability and wellbeing.
Complete high-quality care planning, pathway planning, and statutory reviews in line with legislation and best practice.
Progress permanency planning, including long-term fostering, special guardianship, and adoption where appropriate.
Work closely with carers, schools, health professionals, and partner agencies to ensure holistic support for children in care.
Prepare clear, analytical reports for reviews and court where required.
For Senior Social Workers: provide professional guidance, mentoring, and support to colleagues managing complex cases.

About You
You will be a committed and capable practitioner with:
A recognised Social Work qualification and current Social Work England registration.
Post-qualifying experience within Children’s Social Care, ideally with experience of looked after children or permanence planning.
A strong understanding of care planning, statutory responsibilities, and corporate parenting duties.
Excellent assessment, planning, and communication skills.
A child-centred, relationship-based approach to practice.
For Senior Social Worker roles: experience of managing complex cases and supporting professional development within a team.

Why Hillingdon?
An Outstanding-rated children’s service with strong leadership and a stable workforce.
Manageable caseloads and a clear focus on quality rather than volume.
Regular reflective supervision and strong practice support.
Excellent training, development, and career progression opportunities.
Hybrid working arrangements and a genuine commitment to work-life balance.
A culture that values permanence, stability, and long-term outcomes for children in care.