Why Southwark?
We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises, and we have a young, diverse and growing population.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.
What You'll Be Doing
Could you be the vital link that helps people transition safely from hospital back into the community?
Are you ready to use your social work skills to make a meaningful impact when it truly matters?
If yes, we have the perfect role for you.
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Social Worker to join our Transfer of Care (TOC) Service and help improve outcomes for adults with care and support needs.
About the Role:
This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment where you will support adults in achieving safe and timely discharges from hospital and rehab settings. Your role will promote independence, well-being and person-centred care.
This role is based at St. Thomas’ Hospital where you will work within the discharge team to coordinate and facilitate seamless transitions from acute hospital care to community or ongoing care settings.
All roles are embedded within Southwark Adult Social Care and involve close collaboration with colleagues in Health, Housing and the voluntary sector. You will play a key role in supporting adults with physical disabilities, sensory impairments, dementia and complex health needs to regain independence and live fulfilling lives.
Benefits and more information:
In your role, we want you to feel supported, challenged and rewarded. You will benefit from our family-friendly policies including flexible working, home working, and a local government pension scheme, plus many other staff benefits. You will join a motivated, driven and supportive team that strives for excellence and values its members. You will also be part of a successful and high-achieving development team that is making a real difference to the lives of residents in the borough. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Staff Benefits page.
Key Benefits:
- Competitive Salary & Pension: Rewarding your hard work with a great package.
- Growth Opportunities: Access extensive training and development, both internally and externally to progress.
What We're Looking For
You will be a registered Social Worker with a strong foundation in adult social care and/or health services. You will have the ability to think critically, remain calm under pressure, maintain a person-centred approach, and bring:
- An excellent understanding of safeguarding procedures and best practices
- Up to date knowledge of social care legislation, including the Care Act and Discharge to Assess (D2A) pathways
- Experience in strengths-based assessments and care planning
- The ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
- A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusive practice
- You will need to be confident in managing complex cases, balancing competing priorities and supporting your team to uphold the highest professional standards.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact; Anthony Burroughs , tony.burroughs@southwark.gov.uk
If you choose to apply, please complete your Supporting Statement focusing on the criteria contained within the Job Description’s Person Specification that is marked as ‘S’ for ‘Shortlisting’.
Recruitment Timetable
Closing Date: 26/11/2026
Shortlisting Date: 30/11/2026
Interview Date: W/C 09/12/2026
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday (36hrs per week)
Location: St. Thomas’ Hospital, SE1 7EH.
Type of Contract: Permanent
DBS: Enhanced - Adults and Children (Barred)
Additional Information
Please note that we are unable to accept applications from individuals who require visa sponsorship.
This vacancy is subject to the council’s redeployment arrangements. Eligible redeployees will be considered first, and the vacancy may be withdrawn if a suitable redeployee is appointed.
Our Values and Behaviours:
At Southwark, our REACH values are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to being Resident-focused, Empowering, Accountable, Collaborative and Honest, in how we work with colleagues, residents, partners and communities. We welcome applications from people who share these values and are passionate about making a positive difference to our borough.
To learn more about our REACH values and behaviours, please visit: About Southwark – Southwark
The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme:
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
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