Benefits and professional development

We offer a highly competitive remuneration package, including an annual performance-related bonus for social workers engaged in direct work plus, for newly qualified social workers, £1,000 on appointment and £1,000 on satisfactory completion of the ASYE programme.

Working for Waltham Forest, you'll get:

• Highly competitive work package, including an annual performance-related bonus and 16.7% employer contributions to your pension
• Flexible working arrangements, alongside a minimum of 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays and the opportunity to buy additional annual leave
• Minimum of four hours of dedicated professional development time every month
• Personalised training budgets to spend on accredited post-qualifying modules from local universities or other course providers
• Annual performance-related bonus for social workers engaged in direct work after their AYSE: £3,000 for social workers within children’s social care (except for those in Fostering and Permanence who are paid £2,000) and £2,000 for social workers within adult social care
• Family-friendly policies that support care and family responsibilities, based on open communication and fair consideration by managers

Other financial benefits include:

• Free parking for social workers
• Interest-free loan to buy your annual season ticket or travelcard for travel to and from work
• Childcare deposit loan scheme
• Dedicated staff benefits portal with discounts for online retailers and local shops
• Discounted eye tests and glasses
• A range of cycle schemes
• Discounted gym membership with GLL (Better)

Social Care Assistants: Scale 6 to SO2

• £34,416 to £40,755

ASYE: SO2

• £38,934 to £40,755

Social Worker: PO1 to PO4

• £39,855 to £50,574

Occupational Therapist (Adult Social Care): PO1 to PO4

• £39,855 to £50,574

Senior Practitioner: PO4 to PO5

• £47,532 to £53,607

Practice Manager: PO4 to PO5

• £47,532 to £53,607

Team Manager: PO8 to PO9

• £57,663 to £65,478

Head of Service: PO11

• £71,319 to £75,144

Assistant Director: AD Grade

• £91,871 to £103,848

We take your career development and progression as seriously as you do. From 2023 to 2024, we promoted 37 social workers which was almost 20% of all our social workers, indicating the progression opportunities available at Waltham Forest. 

• All our social workers are entitled to a minimum of four, dedicated hours every month to focus on their learning and development
• Our career development framework is underpinned by a core training offer that provides depth and breadth to your progression
• In addition, personalised budgets help social workers develop their specialisms