London Borough of Merton Senior Social Worker Children s and Families Team Pay Rate: £39.04 per hour Hours: 35 per week Contract: Locum About the Role The London Borough of Merton is seeking an experienced Senior Social Worker to join its Children s and Families Team. This is a key frontline role where you will lead on complex cases, provide professional guidance within the team, and contribute to high-quality safeguarding and family support practice across the service. You will undertake assessments, support children and families, and work collaboratively with partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes for children. Key Responsibilities Lead on complex Child in Need and Child Protection cases. Conduct high-quality Child and Family Assessments. Provide professional oversight and support to other social workers. Liaise with partner agencies to ensure coordinated planning and intervention. Prepare clear, analytical reports for conferences, panels, and reviews. Maintain accurate and timely case records. Contribute to reflective supervision and service development. Practice Model Used by Merton Merton operates a Strengths-Based, Relationship-Focused Practice Model, underpinned by Signs of Safety principles. This model promotes: Collaborative working with families Clear and balanced risk analysis Focus on strengths and protective factors Child-centred, transparent decision-making This framework supports consistent, meaningful practice and positive outcomes for children and f