Our social work job offer

This page outlines the benefits we provide for our social workers. This includes a commitment to wellbeing, supportive leadership and an established career pathway.

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

Alongside a competitive salary, we also offer:

• 28 days annual leave 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, challenging inequalities and discrimination
• travel schemes including, cycle loans, season ticket loans, essential user parking permits and access to pooled Oyster cards

Contact us to find out more

• for queries about Children's social work, contact Daniel Comach
• for queries about Adults' social work, contact David Larcher   

Apply for a qualified social worker job

Staff wellbeing

Our commitment includes:

• a variety of forward-planned Wellbeing sessions, 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-line and counselling available to employees
• access to free swim and gym usage in the borough on Fridays and weekends
• free eye test and support for display screen equipment users up to £55 on each occasion
• discounted HSF health plan 
• family friendly contractual policy with flexible and hybrid working options

Leadership and support

Southwark has a lower ratio of workers to managers than most local authorities. This provided stable, supportive leadership. We also offer:

• well defined frameworks for social work practice such as systemic and strengths-based approaches
• a culture of innovation and a ‘can do’ approach to problem solving
• a commitment to work effectively with 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

We provide an established social work career pathway with a proven history of internal progression. This is supported by:

• an AYSE (assessed and supported year in employment) programme with a Social Work Development Lead to support learning
• regular 1 to 1 and group supervision with highly experienced Social Workers
• clinical practitioners attached to every team to support you and your work 
• 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
• continuing professional development through an extensive learning and development plan
• opportunities to train as a Practice Educator and develop experience with students
• 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

Page last updated: 19 September 2023