Social Worker Duty jobs in Wandsworth

Job description

Fee: £21/hour (professional time), £10.50/hour (travel time) + Expenses

How to apply: Upload CV and Personal Statement. Only candidates who upload both documents will be considered for the opportunity

We are currently prioritising applications from candidates who live in or are able to work regularly within Enfield and Haringey. Due to service requirements, we will only be considering applicants based in these areas or within a reasonable travel distance.

Closing date: 4th October 2026 at midnight.

Interview: TBC at Action for Children, 1 St John's Ln, London EC1M 4AR

Training Day: Successful candidates will be asked to attend one training day in Central London on (Venue, Day & Time TBC)

The Role

You will be joining a growing Children's Advocacy Team in London, working with children in contact with Children's Social Services. You will be supporting children and young people, ensuring that their voices are heard in decisions that affect them and that their rights are met. You will have a passion for children's rights and ensuring that the wishes and feeling of vulnerable children are heard by those that work with them. You will be an excellent communicator, with the ability to work in partnership with other professionals whilst still being led by the child or young person.

1. Main Purpose

1.1 To deliver advocacy services under the National Standards for the Provision of Children's Advocacy Services to children and young people who are in contact with Social Services that promotes and facilitates their participation in decisions made about them, including children looked after, care leavers, children in need and children going through child protection procedures.

1.2 To work in partnership with social care professionals such as social workers, key workers, IROs and other professionals within the council to promote best practice in respect of children's rights

1.3 To actively contribute to policy and service developments in respect of the rights and needs of children who are in contact with Social Services.

2. Duties

2.1 To deliver an advocacy service that is based on principles which include independence, respect, empowerment, choice, equal access, anti-discriminatory practice and confidentiality within any limits appropriately imposed by other considerations such as the National Standards for the Provision of Children Advocacy Services and child protection.

2.2 To provide an outreach children's rights service directly in contact with Social Services, through direct advocacy and other appropriate forms of intervention.

2.3 To promote children's welfare and their rights within the UN Convention on the Rights of Child, the 1989 & 2004 Children's Acts and all other appropriate guidance and legislation.

2.4 To ensure that the voices of the children and young people who are in contact with Social Services are heard by those providing services and caring for them, and that their views are fully taken into account.

2.5 To have a solid understanding of the issues impacting on children and young people of all ages who are in contact with Social Services and an ability to effectively engage and communicate with them.

2.6 To act in accordance with relevant policies, procedures within the Councils and Action for Children, particularly those of the Pan-London child-protection procedures.

2.7 To be pro-active in challenging bad practice by social care professionals in order to improve the quality of service provided to children who are in contact with Social Services.

2.8 To keep abreast of any new policy or legislative changes through research and training, that impact on children and young people who are in contact with Social Services and take on an expert role in promoting the rights of these children and young people with other professionals.

2.9 To provide children and young people who are in contact with Social Services with relevant information about their rights and entitlements and support them in interpreting and understanding information so that they can make well-informed decisions.

2.10 To provide an accessible and inclusive advocacy service that is culturally-sensitive and supports the needs of children with complex, multiple and learning disabilities.

2.11 To take responsibility for developing and maintaining an efficient and effective administrative and recording system for the Advocacy Service using the Action for Children electronic record keeping system.

2.12 To take responsibility for feeding back to Action for Children emerging themes from advocacy work with children and young people who are in contact with Social Services so that lessons can be learnt and quality of practice challenged constructively.

2.13 To support front-line staff and managers to better understand the role of an advocate and the rights of children and young people looked after and leaving care and to ensure positive relationships are developed and managed.

2.14 To ensure that service users are consulted and their views are reflected in the service.

2.15 To attend meetings, training and other forums as required.

2.16 To contribute towards Action for Children monitoring and reporting responsibilities by keeping accurate and up to date records, as well as by promptly responding to the organization’s queries and consultations.

2.17 To use and develop strong written, verbal and ICT communication skills and adapt this according to the audience to engage professionals at all levels including social workers, foster carers, senior managers, elected members, as well as children and young people.

2.18 To be flexible and work some evenings and occasional weekends as necessary.

2.19 To work in accordance with the Data Protection Act, GDPR, the Computer Misuse Act, the Health & Safety at Work Act and other relevant legislation, as well as Council policies, procedures, Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.

Person Specification

Title: Children’s Adovcate – Freelance

Key Knowledge

• Detailed knowledge of safeguarding, childcare legislation and good practice in relation to Children’s Act complaints
• A solid understanding of the issues that impact on children and young people in contact with Children’s Social Services, including looked after/ leaving care or going through Child Protection procedures
• A solid understanding of Children’s Rights in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Relevant Experience

• Minimum Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care or equivalent in a related field (e.g. teaching) or equivalent professional experience
• Experience in social work or a related field working directly with children and young people
• A proven ability to work in a child-centred and sensitive manner with the skill to engage children of all ages and abilities
• A capacity to communicate in a professional manner with officers and managers at all levels to challenge practice and negotiate positive outcomes for children and young people in care

Key Competencies

• Negotiating Effectively - Ability to prepare and apply sound and persuasive arguments to secure positive outcomes for children and young people
• Promoting the Service - Ability to seize opportunities to create a positive and professional image of the service through discussion and personal example.
• Developing Productive Relationships - Ability to build effective working relationships with a diversity of individuals and groups
• Communicating - Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Making Decisions - Ability to takes decisive and effective action to tackle professional challenges
• Resilience and Professionalism - Ability to work to the highest standards, demonstrating resilience to pressure and retaining due professionalism at all times
• Delivering Results - Ability to works hard, to take ownership and consistently meeting or exceeding targets

Promoting Diversity

• Ability to promote respect for all people, recognise differing needs and expectations and challenge all oppressive practice

Diversity, equality and inclusion

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Don't meet every single requirement?

Studies show that women and Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic people are less likely to apply for a job unless they meet every qualification. So, if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we'd love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role within the Action for Children family.

Pay: £21.00 per hour

Application question(s):

• Are you able to travel within 45 minutes to EN1 1TR or N22 7TR
• Will you be able to attend meetings in London and outside London Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm
• Do you have a Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care or equivalent in a related field (e.g. teaching) or equivalent professional experience

Work Location: Hybrid remote in London WC1X 0LJ