Social Worker - Assessment and Support

There are three social worker positions available in Islington’s Permanency team. One in the assessment side and two in the support side of the team.

As an Assessing Social Worker in the Permanency Team at Islington Council, you will play a pivotal role in finding the right permanent carers for children who cannot live with their parents. You will undertake detailed assessments with family members and friends who want to offer permanent care for a child under Special Guardianship Orders. As a social worker in the support side of the team you will provide practical and emotional support to special guardian carers (SG) following an Order being made. This role also involves finding the most suitable long-term foster families for children who cannot live with their families. The team is dedicated to supporting children to remain living within their families or close friends network and it is an exciting opportunity to be part of a team that is making a real difference in the community.

Responsibilities

In your role as social worker in the assessment side of the team, you will be responsible for writing good quality, clear and evidence-based assessments, within tight timescales and give evidence in court based on your assessment. You will be expected to undertake assessments anywhere in the UK and there may be the opportunity to undertake international assessments if jurisdiction permits. If children are placed with family under Regulation 24 while you are undertaking your assessment, you will be responsible for carrying out supervisory visits to the carers, supporting them to meet the regulatory standards and then presenting them to the Fostering Panel to be recommended for approval as foster carers.

In your social worker role in the support side of the team, you will hold a small, time-limited, caseload providing support to SG carers, sign posting them to universal services, providing training opportunities to carers and applying to the Adoption Support Fund (ASF) for therapeutic intervention.

There is a strong emphasis on relationship based social work with families in Islington, building on a strength-based approach. The whole service is trained in Motivational Social Work and Dyadic Development Psychotherapy (DDP) and you will be offered training to enable you to work in this model. You will also take part in group supervision using this model, supported by a CAMHS clinician. Social workers on both sides of the team will be responsible for facilitating special guardianship support groups and PACE for parenting (playful, affirmation/acceptance, curious, empathy).

Requirements

The ideal candidate for this role will have a recognised social work qualification (DipSW, Social Work Degree, or equivalent), and you must be registered with Social Work England. Candidates should have experience of working in a children’s and families setting, preferably with experience of adoption, special guardianship or family placements. You will have knowledge of childcare legislation and statutory guidance relating to kinship care, fostering, and current issues in provision of services to looked after children. Candidates will have the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing and undertake clear, evidence-based assessments on prospective family and friends foster carers and special guardians. For fuller details of the responsibilities of these social worker positions, please refer to the attached person specification.

Change the future

As a social worker at Islington Council, you will be instrumental in embracing new ways of delivering services that support our communities. Your innovative ideas and proactive approach will help us drive and deliver more as one of the largest employers in the borough. Your role will not just be about performing tasks, but about bringing meaningful change. Join us, and together we can change the future.

Your role as a social worker in the Permanency team is not just about what you’ll do for us today, but also about what we can achieve together tomorrow. Your ideas, your passion, and your dedication will help us shape the future of Islington Council and the communities we serve.

Be part of a team

We are a lively, enthusiastic and welcoming team, and there are opportunities for ongoing development and learning. We have a dedicated service to build on the level of post placement support that we provide to Special Guardian (SG) carers.

Our team lives by our CARE values: Collaborative, Ambitious, Resourceful, and Empowering. These aren’t just words, but principles that guide our work every day. As an assessing and support social worker, you’ll be an integral part of this team, working together to succeed for Islington. You’ll collaborate with diverse teams, contribute to ambitious projects, utilise your resourcefulness, and feel empowered to make decisions.

Emphasise the supportive and inclusive culture of Islington Council. Show how the candidate will be valued and respected.

At Islington Council, we believe that every team member brings something unique to the table. As an assessing and support social worker your ideas will be valued, your work will be respected, and your contribution will be recognised. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong.

Make an impact

In the role of assessing and support social worker, you’ll help us make public service an everyday commitment, challenging inequality and making a genuinely positive impact in our community. Your work will contribute to our ‘Islington Together’ vision for 2030. Every task you perform, every project you complete, will have a ripple effect, helping us serve better and make a difference.

Your role as an assessing and support social worker is not just about what you’ll do for us, but also about what you’ll do for yourself. The work you do will challenge you, inspire you, and help you grow. You’ll gain new skills, meet new people, and make a difference in the lives of others.

Invest in you

We’re passionate about developing your career. As an assessing and support social worker, you’ll have opportunities to learn new skills, access training, and study for professional qualifications. We believe in investing in our people because when you grow, we grow. We’ll provide you with the resources and support you need to expand your skill set and reach your full potential.

Your growth is our growth. As an assessing and support social worker, we’ll invest in your future. We offer competitive benefits, a supportive work environment, and opportunities for advancement. We believe in nurturing talent and rewarding effort. Join us, and let’s grow together.

Benefits

At Islington Council, we offer flexible working hours, professional development opportunities, and health and wellness programmes. You will also receive an annual travel card Zones 1-2 and a retention bonus as well as post qualifying awards. We believe in creating a work environment that supports and rewards our employees.

When writing your application, please remember to address each ‘essential’ criteria on the person specification form attached to vacancy.