Social Work in Waltham Forest

In Waltham Forest, we understand what good social work is worth. Our strong set of social work managers are looking for skilled social workers to join our diverse and energetic teams. 

Mission Waltham Forest is our plan for a more equal borough. It's our way of responding to the most pressing challenges we face today. Our Social Work teams play a key part in some of these missions.

Mission Waltham Forest is made up of six ‘borough missions’, aiming to tackle the issues and challenges that residents are currently facing between now and 2030. Mission Waltham Forest will:  

1. Ensure every family and every child are given every opportunity 

2. Build an economy that works for everyone 

3. Make Waltham Forest a great place to live and age well 

4. Tackle the housing crisis head on 

5. Lead the way for a net-zero borough 

6. Create safe, green neighbourhoods where everyone can thrive 

If you want to be part of our mission, now is the time to join us.

Following a recent Ofsted inspection, Children’s Services in Waltham Forest received an overall Good assessment rising to Outstanding in the experiences and progress of children in care.

The inspectors highlighted that children in the borough “continue to receive good-quality services delivered by knowledgeable and committed social workers.” Of particular note is the Outstanding rating for the experience and progress of children in care. The report sets out that “children in care make significant progress due to the outstandingly coordinated levels of support they receive, whether they live within the borough or further away.”

The report also says: "Leaders have successfully increased workforce capacity, which has reduced caseloads for most workers. Children and families benefit from social workers who spend increased time with them, building meaningful relationships and overseeing plans which are purposeful and effective."

We're proud of our borough. Waltham Forest is one of the most ethnically diverse areas in London and we believe it is this diversity that makes the borough so great. More than two-thirds of residents are from a global majority background. Around a third of residents are born outside the UK and around one in five are EU nationals.

Whether you live within the borough or not, there are excellent transport links. There is easy access to the Central Line, Victoria Line, and two overground lines (Weaver and Suffragette lines), as well as a train line. It takes under 15 minutes to get to the City (by the overground to Liverpool Street or Central Line to Bank), the West End (by the Victoria Line to Oxford Circus), or Stratford (via bus links). There's also our huge network of cycle and walking routes if you prefer active travel.

As well as working in one of London's most exciting boroughs you'll also get:

• manageable caseloads with support from a highly experienced management team
• your career development and progression taken seriously - - over the last 12 months (2023/24), we promoted 37 social workers
• outstanding leadership; Ofsted and staff surveys tell us social workers agree
• diverse, inclusive, and safe social work teams, with active employee-led networks that drive inclusive practice
• to work from a stunning, refurbished, and regenerated set of historic buildings that make up the town hall complex, with modern and flexible workspaces