Senior Social Worker - Cared for Children

‍👧‍👦 Social Worker / Senior Social Worker – Cared for Children Service

Salary: £42,771 – £52,194 per annum (depending on experience)
Location: Hillingdon, London Borough Council
Contract: Permanent | Full-Time (36 hours per week)
Working Pattern: Flexible / Hybrid

💫 Make a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people

Hillingdon Council is seeking committed and compassionate Social Workers and Senior Social Workers to join our Cared for Children Service — a forward-thinking and supportive team working with looked after children, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC).

As a Social Worker, you will hold a statutory caseload of looked after children, ensuring every child receives the right support to achieve stability, safety, and long-term permanence.

This is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a diverse and dynamic borough that places children at the heart of everything we do.

🔹 What you’ll do

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Manage a caseload of looked after children, ensuring high-quality care planning and regular statutory reviews.

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Develop and implement care plans focused on achieving permanence and positive outcomes.

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Work with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, providing tailored support with immigration processes and transition pathways.

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Build strong, trusting relationships with children, families, and multi-agency partners.

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Ensure all practice is in line with statutory requirements and best-practice principles.

Senior Social Workers will:

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Manage more complex and challenging cases.

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Mentor and support less experienced team members.

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Contribute to service improvement and reflective practice within the team.

🔹 About you

We’re looking for social work professionals who bring empathy, resilience, and a genuine passion for improving children’s lives.

You will need:

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A recognised Social Work qualification and Social Work England registration.

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Experience working with looked after children in a statutory setting.

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Strong understanding of Children Act 1989, Care Planning Regulations, and related legislation.

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Excellent skills in assessment, care planning, and multi-agency collaboration.

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For Senior Social Worker roles: significant post-qualifying experience and confidence in supporting colleagues.

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Experience working with UASC or knowledge of immigration processes (desirable, not essential).

💰 Salary Information

This role is open to experienced Social Workers at different levels, with salary dependent on assessed experience and qualifications:

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Social Worker (POA): £42,771 – £46,968

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

Salary will be offered within the appropriate banding following assessment and interview.

💼 Why join Hillingdon Council?

We’re proud to offer a supportive, inclusive, and rewarding working environment where you can develop your career and make a lasting difference.

Our benefits include:

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🕓 Flexible working hours and hybrid options.

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⏰ 36-hour working week for all full-time staff.

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🌴 Generous holiday entitlement, increasing with service.

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💪 Hillingdon Sports & Leisure discounts across local leisure centres.

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🚲 Cycle to Work scheme and electric vehicle leasing options.

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💰 Local Government Pension Scheme membership.

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🛍️ Vivup employee benefits platform – discounts and offers.

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❤️ Mental health support and free confidential counselling services.

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🚗 Travel support, including season ticket loans and free parking.

💬 Ready to join a team that puts children first?

If you’re a passionate Social Worker looking for your next step, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today and help shape brighter futures for children in Hillingdon