Description
As a Senior Social Worker in our No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) team, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality services to children and families with complex needs.
The London Borough of Newham is committed to Building a Fairer Newham, a borough where every child, family, and resident can thrive. Our children's services have been recognised by Ofsted for strong leadership and a culture where good social work can flourish.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage a complex caseload involving families with NRPF and those who are intentionally homeless, ensuring children's safety and wellbeing.
- Undertake NRPF visits to families mainly based outside of London in areas such as Slough, Dover, Southend, Wolverhampton, etc.
- Complete high-quality statutory assessments, including Child in Need and Human Rights Assessments, in line with legal frameworks.
- Develop and deliver strengths-based, outcome-focused plans that promote independence and reduce long-term reliance on services.
- Work proactively with families facing housing instability, including those deemed intentionally homeless, to secure sustainable solutions.
- Build strong partnerships with housing, legal services, Family Hubs, the Home Office, and voluntary organisations to provide coordinated support.
- Respond to duty and crisis situations, ensuring timely interventions to prevent destitution and safeguard children.
- Provide mentoring, coaching, and supervision to social workers, ASYEs, and project workers, supporting their development.
- Lead on quality assurance, including audits and performance monitoring, using data to drive improvement.
- Champion anti-discriminatory practice, ensuring equity is embedded in all aspects of work.
- Embed the Circle of Support model, ensuring work with families is relational, collaborative, and community-focused.
Requirements:
- A recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
- Significant post-qualifying experience in statutory children's social care, including complex casework.
- Strong knowledge of NRPF, immigration, and housing legislation and safeguarding frameworks.
- Experience of working with families facing destitution and housing instability, including intentionally homeless households.
- The ability to lead practice, coach colleagues, and contribute to a high-support, high-challenge culture.
- Strong analytical and assessment skills, with the ability to make sound decisions in complex situations.
- A clear commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and addressing inequality.
- Experience of, or commitment to, working within strengths-based models such as Circle of Support.
Benefits:
- Be part of an Outstanding local authority delivering meaningful change.
- Work within a strong, supportive practice framework where social work can flourish.
- Access excellent learning, development, and career progression opportunities.
- Benefit from flexible/hybrid working arrangements.
- Work in a service that values innovation, including our award-nominated Circle of Support model.
- Make a real difference to children and families at risk of destitution.