Social Worker – Children and Young People's Disability Service (CYPDS) 0–25

Employer: London Borough of Camden
Team: Children and Young People's Disability Service (CYPDS)
Location: 5 Pancras Square, Camden
Working Pattern: Agile working – office, home and community visits
Service Area: Children's Social Care / Disability and Transition to Adulthood

About the Role

Camden Council is seeking an experienced and motivated Social Worker to join its Children and Young People's Disability Service (CYPDS), supporting disabled children, young people and their families from birth through to the transition into adulthood.

This is an opportunity to manage a varied and complex caseload, undertaking statutory assessments, safeguarding interventions and care planning while working collaboratively with families and professionals across health, education, housing and voluntary services.

The successful candidate will be committed to person-centred, strengths-based practice, ensuring children and young people's wishes, feelings and lived experiences remain central to all decision-making.

The service covers a broad range of statutory social work responsibilities, including Child in Need, Child Protection, children looked after, Short Breaks, Public Law Outline (PLO), court proceedings and Preparation for Adulthood.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a complex caseload of disabled children and young people, undertaking assessments, planning, interventions and reviews.

• Complete timely and analytical assessments of need, risk and protective factors.

• Develop, implement and review support plans in partnership with children, young people, parents and carers.

• Undertake statutory social work duties relating to Child in Need, Child Protection, children looked after, PLO and court proceedings as required.

• Promote the safeguarding, welfare and best interests of children and young people.

• Carry out direct work with children and young people, adapting communication methods to meet individual needs and abilities.

• Work sensitively with parents and carers, including in situations involving disagreement, conflict or safeguarding concerns.

• Collaborate with health, education, housing and other partner agencies to coordinate services and improve outcomes.

• Support disabled young people with transition planning and Preparation for Adulthood.

• Undertake Care Act assessments and relevant adult social care responsibilities where appropriate.

• Participate in professional meetings, reviews, conferences, panels and multi-agency planning discussions.

• Identify and make appropriate use of statutory services, commissioned provision, community resources and voluntary sector support.

• Maintain accurate, comprehensive and timely case records in accordance with legislation and departmental procedures.

• Meet statutory deadlines and departmental performance requirements.

• Contribute to reflective practice, team learning and continuous service improvement.

• Promote equality, inclusion, co-production and anti-discriminatory practice throughout service delivery.

Essential Skills and Experience

Candidates must demonstrate:

• A recognised social work qualification.

• Current registration with Social Work England.

• Post-qualifying experience in statutory social work.

• Strong knowledge of children's social care legislation, safeguarding frameworks and statutory guidance.

• Experience undertaking statutory assessments and analysing complex family circumstances.

• Experience developing, implementing and reviewing plans for children and families.

• Experience of Child in Need and safeguarding work.

• Strong assessment, analytical and professional decision-making skills.

• The ability to communicate effectively with children and young people with different communication needs.

• Experience working collaboratively with multi-agency professionals and partner organisations.

• The ability to manage complex cases, prioritise workloads and meet statutory timescales.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing.

• Confidence in managing challenging situations, professional disagreements and safeguarding risks.

• A commitment to child-centred, strengths-based and outcome-focused practice.