This section contains information on working life at Southwark, including the rewards on offer and our approach to your training and development. Please also take a look at the recent Guardian feature on Social Work in Southwark.
Working life
Caseloads
We provide sustained high quality supervision and manageable case loads and are committed to reducing unnecessary bureaucracy.
Partnership and integrated working
Southwark has embraced partnership working and multi-disciplinary teams with social care, health and other specialist working jointly on a number of teams and in a variety of settings.
Work life balance – flexible working
The majority of jobs are based upon a 36-hour week - though most are open to "job-sharing". When a job is offered on a part-time basis, it will be clearly highlighted in the advert and job description.
We’re also committed to ensuring a balance between your life in and outside work. To support a variety of work patterns we have introduced: home working, flexi-time, term-time working, and a compressed working week.
We offer three year subsidised car leasing (£2,157 annual subsidy) or essential car user allowance
Administration & IT Support
Support Services for front-line Social workers are an important part of Children’s Services. We provide a range of resources and practical help to the Social Work Teams, from on-site finance staff and mobile working solutions, to premises, transport (including lease-car facility) and health and safety.
The Administration and IT Support team plays a part in the induction for all staff, helping new joiners get acquainted with the Children’s Information system and other in house information and record-keeping resources. The team is always on site to provide one-to-one help. Practitioners confirm that this support and commitment makes their jobs much easier.
New Offices
In 2009 we moved to our new head office in Tooley Street, just a hundred or so metres from London Bridge Station and near to the river. This move is about creating efficiencies, being greener and fostering a more innovative approach to working.
All of our staff are benefiting from the move, even those who are not based there, as it provides the council’s training hub and a touchdown centre when visiting the building.
This YouTube video will show you more of the office.
Loading Clusty Cloud ...
Rewards and Benefits
Salary and pay rises
We offer competitive salaries that compare well against other qualified social worker roles in London. Your salary will be reviewed every year - taking into account any relevant national and regional negotiations. You will also receive a rise with each official progression. We have broad salary bands to accommodate newly qualified staff and to recognise those who bring considerable experience.
Pension
Like the majority of councils, we offer the chance to join the Local Government Superannuation Scheme Membership isn’t compulsory, but it is a generous and popular scheme.
Holiday
You will receive a minimum of 28 days and a maximum of 36 days dependent on Local government and Southwark Service plus bank holidays.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits including three year subsidised car leasing (£2,157 annual subsidy) or essential car user allowance and discounts or loans for: child care vouchers, gym membership , HSA benefits, travelcards/season tickets, bicycle, mobile phone for work purposes.
Relocation and removal expenses
In certain cases, we may consider paying relocation and removal expenses – this will be clearly flagged within the job description or application pack.
Affordable rented housing
Southwark works in partnership with Affinity Sutton to provide purpose built accommodation for keyworker staff. Run by dedicated property managers, these homes are located conveniently with good transport links to central London.
Features include:
Choice of studio, two and three bedroom apartments
Fully furnished
Laundry room with washing and drying facilities
CCTV to main entrance
TV aerial and telephone point
PQ Training and Development
Training is an ongoing process within Southwark – we’ll ensure you have all the skills and knowledge you need to grow both personally and professionally. We offer good supervision and support for social workers at every stage of their careers. We offer career progression for those who want to progress and develop but do not wish to pursue a management option.
We offer three year subsidised car leasing (£2,157 annual subsidy) or essential car user allowance
Research in practice
You will be expected to base your practice in evidence from research. Southwark is a member of Research in Practice (RIP) and Making Research Count and you will have access to their events, research overviews and publications.
Core issues
Over the next two years you will be expected to complete a range of learning in core issues such as domestic violence, substance misuse, mental health, and disability and their local protocols. There is an excellent range of training offered by the Southwark Safeguarding Children Board and Health Promotion Team.
Research in practice
You will be expected to base your practice in evidence from research. Southwark is a member of Research in Practice (RIP) and Making Research Count and you will have access to their events, research overviews and publications.
Further qualifications
We encourage all social workers to complete the Post Qualifying Consolidating Award with Kingston University and then move on to the Specialist Child Care Award at Kingston University, Royal Holloway College or Goldsmiths College, though places are limited each year. We also encourage practice assessors to complete the Enabling Others Award. There is an excellent reward scheme for practice assessors and their teams. Managers use the funds for additional specialist training, team days and other resources.
Management
Finally, there is the chance to complete a Higher Specialist Post Qualifying Award at a local university, but places are limited. Managers are encouraged to complete an action learning in supervision or Management Qualification, and other required training in the local authority. Coaching and mentoring has been developed to help managers in their ongoing development.
