Our Social Work offer

A career pathway for social work in Southwark

We provide a range of benefits to our social workers in recognition of their commitment to the role. This page outlines the support we offer to your career development and our commitment to good leadership and wellbeing.

Staff are awarded annual performance-related increments and a local government pension scheme (LGPS).

Alongside a competitive salary, we also offer:

• annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days and rising to 36 days with continuous service
• vibrant borough in the heart of London with a variety of offices across different venues
• excellent access to Central London and easy transport links to the South East
• a multi-cultural and diverse working environment, which provides excellent opportunities for enhancing your skills
• a commitment to ensure Southwark is inclusive, taking decisive action to challenge inequalities and discrimination through Southwark Stands Together and Workforce Race Equality Standard
• travel schemes including cycle to work, cycle loan, season ticket loans, essential user care parking permits and access to pooled Oyster cards for work travel
• support for green transport

Find out more and apply for jobs in children's social care       

Find out more and apply for jobs in adult social care

Staff wellbeing

• a fluid and flexible workforce providing clear career pathways for progression through the organisation; this includes the development of a multi-skilled holistic workforce through opportunities to move across services and gain broad experience of practice
• a variety of forward planned Wellbeing sessions (the most recent being the winter wellbeing sessions) and awareness days and months
• access to a range of active staff networks and forums, for example LGBTQ+ Staff forum and Women’s Network
• modern digital plan with technology to support flexible working arrangements
• occupational health service
• employee Assistance Programme, HELP, free help-line available for calls open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year; counselling is available to employees
• access to wellbeing tools, such as the Headspace app that staff can access for free until later this year
• access to free swim and gym usage in the Borough on Fridays and weekends
• eye care scheme - free eye test and support for display screen equipment (DSE) users up to a maximum of £55.00 on each occasion
• HSF health plan is a subsidised medical cash plan which allows you to claim back health, dental, optical and physiotherapy costs; this is offered at a discounted rate to Southwark Council employees
• improved Family Friendly contractual policy and a range of flexible and hybrid working options

Leadership and support

• stable, supportive leadership; Southwark has a lower ratio of workers to managers than most local authorities
• well defined frameworks for social work practice such as the use of Systemic and Strengths Based Approaches
• culture of innovation and a ‘can do’ approach to problem solving in Social Care
• commitment to work effectively with a range of partners across Health, Housing, Education, Community and Voluntary Sector
• Principal Social Worker roles and a Principal Occupational Therapist role (adults only) to develop and champion social care practice
• small teams with supportive managers and manageable caseloads
• a strong Out of Hours Service, focused on Southwark and local networks, staffed by Senior Practitioners who have close links with day colleagues

Supervision, learning and development

• established AYSE (assessed and supported year in employment) programme with Social Work Development Lead role to support learning
• regular professional 1 to 1 and group supervision with highly experienced Social Workers
• clinical practitioners attached to every team to support you as an individual and your work with children and families.
• reflective teams (safe spaces to discuss practice and the use of self in peer groups)
• a range of professional forums, reflective spaces, networking structures, and special interest groups
• access to a broad range of health and social care training and a culture of interprofessional working and learning
• professional development and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities through an established and extensive learning and development plan and opportunities.
• opportunities to train as a Practice Educator and develop experience with student
• opportunities for advanced professional training such as Best Interest Assessor (BIA), and Advanced Mental Health Practitioner in adult social care 
• coaching and mentoring opportunities during working hours
• an established social work career pathway with a proven history of internal progression

Page last updated: 09 January 2023