What it's like working here at Wandsworth?

If you’re looking for Social Worker jobs in London, there have many different employers to choose from. Here are more reasons why Wandsworth should be at the top of your list.

Admin and caseloads
Caseloads in Wandsworth vary from team to team, but they are generally lower than at other inner London boroughs. However we want to do more to reduce the number of cases that each employee takes on.

We also want to minimise the admin burden that detracts from direct face-to-face contact with service users. That’s why we are making specific efforts to avoid duplication and waste, while streamlining systems and processes.

Valuing your input
We’ve always welcomed the views of staff in delivering services, improving the working environment and acting as a good employer. In recent years, our processes for listening to staff have become more formalised, for example through staff surveys and official forums to seek feedback and suggestions. Survey results show that our managers are seen as approachable – and we aim to provide increasing opportunities for frontline staff to make their voices heard in shaping services and improving the way we work.

Training and development
We’re committed to promoting staff development and applying it to attract, retain and develop the strongest possible team. A talented, well-motivated, balanced workforce is vital if we are to remain an effective, forward-looking Service which can stand among the very best social care providers.

Your career at Wandsworth begins with a thorough induction. Our commitment to your progress and development then continues through a formal professional development plan. Supervision is rated highly, and you are encouraged to undertake further qualifications, in addition to developing your skills in areas such as IT and communication.

There are a number of professional training schemes offered. For example, our enhanced training programme includes access to the Child Care Award for all Children’s Social Workers and the Adult Specialist Award and Mental Health Award for Adults’ Social Workers. We also operate a highly regarded Social Work Trainee scheme.

There are numerous ways to advance your career here. We are keen to encourage staff to work in different parts of the service, as we see a varied career path as an advantage in your progression.

The first step into leadership and management is through the Principal Social Worker route. If you would prefer to progress while remaining in frontline practice, we have extended the Social Worker Career Grade to open up career development opportunities for all Social Workers.

Equipment, resources and research

We certainly can’t claim that our borough is among the best equipped in terms of technology, but we have worked hard to supply our social workers with the tools to increase efficiency – for example by investing in laptops and Blackberrys and trialling tablets and digi-pens. Resources have to be deployed where they can have the most positive impact on frontline work. Where our investigations confirm the benefits of specific equipment technology, we will aim to introduce it.

To inform our frontline work, it’s important for you to be able to draw on evidence from research. Our team has access to an excellent social work library and everyone can tap into online resources which highlight relevant studies and promote best practice. We’re currently exploring links with health and education providers and other boroughs to commission specific research to influence

Diversity and Equality

Like all Authorities, we’re committed to building a workforce of a mix of backgrounds and talents – and one that reflects the community we serve.

Our commitment to fairness and equality extends to our approach to working with service users and employees. In some cases we are taking proactive steps to address issues. For example we have put in place a development programme for aspiring Black Minority Ethnic leaders, as we identified an absence of senior Black Minority Ethnic managers.