At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team in providing care for children and young people.
- Company: Achieving for Children, dedicated to creating positive environments.
- Benefits: 29 days annual leave, flexible working, and comprehensive employee support.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to equality and safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in social work and experience in team leadership required.
The predicted salary is between 37502 - 45836 £ per year.
About the role
The Senior Practitioner will provide day to day care of children and young people within an environment that promotes positive attachments and relationships. They will lead and supervise the staff on shift to ensure that they carry out their duties and behave appropriately at all times. They will support children and young people in maximizing their potential in a safe, caring and nurturing home. They will also support the management team in all aspects of a child centered service.
About you
- Educated to a degree level with a relevant professional qualification in social work.
- Level 3 Health and Social care.
- Experience in leading a team, undertaking line management and performance management.
- Knowledge of relevant theory that informs practice delivery.
- Experience of building strong partnerships, maintaining relationships and co-producing solutions to challenges across a diverse set of stakeholders, including children, young people and their families.
- Advocating the voices of those we are working with.
- Experience of keeping and maintaining records (in accordance with local policy) and producing accurate reports, written updates to a range of stakeholders (which may include families, children or young people).
- Knowledge of statutory legislation (for example Children's Act) and national policy drivers.
About our benefits
- 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract).
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC.
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension).
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance.
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
- A range of staff benefits and discounts.
- An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway.
Important Information
- Start dates: Achieving for Children have set start dates meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
- Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.
- Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
- Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Senior Practitioner - Children's Homes in Thatcham employer: Achieving for Children Community Interest Company
SPAR IC is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, you will have access to exciting training opportunities and the chance to work with cutting-edge technologies in the digital retail space. Our modern workplace culture promotes teamwork and flexibility, including options for teleworking, ensuring that you can thrive both personally and professionally.
Contact Details:
Achieving for Children Community Interest Company Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Children's Homes in Thatcham
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Achieving for Children Community Interest Company.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Achieving for Children Community Interest Company!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Achieving for Children Community Interest Company, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Achieving for Children Community Interest Company or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner - Children's Homes in Thatcham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Achieving for Children Community Interest Company:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Achieving for Children Community Interest Company! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Achieving for Children Community Interest Company
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
