Senior Social Worker: Trauma‑Informed Family Help (Hybrid)

£4,250 Retention Payment per annum

SWE fee

About the role

Join Hillingdon's Outstanding Family Help Service

Why Social Workers Choose Hillingdon

If you're passionate about building meaningful relationships with children and families and want to work somewhere you can truly make a difference, Hillingdon is the place for you.

Following our recent Ofsted Outstanding judgement, we continue to invest in our workforce, creating the conditions for social workers to thrive. We know great social work happens when practitioners have the time, support and stability to focus on families.

That’s why we offer:

• Salary up to £56,444 per year (including £4,250 retention payment)
• £4,250 Retention Payment per annum
• SWE fee
• Free on-site parking
• 5 minutes from Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Outstanding by Ofsted
• Manageable caseloads
• 100% of our Senior Leadership Team are permanent
• Visible, accessible and supportive managers
• Excellent learning, development and career progression opportunities
• Regular reflective supervision and clinical consultation
• A relationship-based and trauma-informed practice model
• Modern, locality-based teams and working environments

About Our Family Help Service

Hillingdon's Family Help Service is at the forefront of the national Families First Partnership Programme, bringing together early help, targeted support and statutory intervention to provide seamless support for children and families.

Working within our locality-based teams, you'll support children from Child in Need through to Child Protection, developing strong relationships with families and partners within your local community.

Our approach is simple: Build relationships. Create change. Improve outcomes.

By working in smaller geographical areas, social workers can spend more time with children and families, strengthen local partnerships and deliver interventions that make a lasting difference.

One family described our workers as: "A beacon of hope in very troubled waters."

The Role

• Build trusted, relationship-based partnerships with children, young people and their families.
• Complete high-quality assessments that identify strengths, risks and support needs.
• Develop and deliver effective Child in Need and Child Protection plans.
• Lead purposeful interventions that improve safety, wellbeing and family resilience.
• Work collaboratively with schools, health services, police, adult services and community partners.
• Safeguard children and promote positive outcomes through timely and effective decision‑making.
• Maintain accurate records, assessments and reports to support high-quality practice.
• Contribute to our ambition of becoming a fully trauma‑informed service.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for social workers who are passionate about making a lasting difference in children's lives.

You will have:

• A recognised Social Work qualification (BA, MA or equivalent).
• Registration with Social Work England.
• Experience of working with children and families within statutory children's services.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, child development and practice frameworks.
• Excellent communication, analytical and relationship‑building skills.
• A commitment to strengths‑based, relationship‑focused practice.

Most importantly, you'll be someone who believes that positive relationships can change children's lives.

What You'll Receive

Social Worker (POA) - £42,771 - £46,968

Senior Social Worker (POB) - £48,003 - £52,194

• Plus £4,250 Retention Payment (applicable to both Social Worker and Senior Social Worker grades)
• Potential package value up to £56,444 per annum.

Salary placement will be determined based on qualifications, skills and experience.

Why Hillingdon?

• Outstanding Ofsted judgement
• Stable and experienced permanent leadership team
• Strong culture of support and collaboration
• Commitment to workforce wellbeing
• Investment in professional development
• Clear career progression pathways
• Focus on keeping caseloads manageable
• An ambitious vision for children and families

Our social workers tell us that what makes Hillingdon different is the combination of strong leadership, supportive colleagues and the opportunity to spend meaningful time helping families create lasting change.

About You

We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work‑life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:

• Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36‑hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non‑casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work – Eco‑friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24‑hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
• Trade Union Membership – The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees’ freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information

Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre‑employment screening:

• Enhanced DBS Check
• Qualifications Check
• Professional Registration Check
• 5 years of Referencing

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

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