At a Glance
- Tasks: Safeguard vulnerable children and promote their wellbeing through high-quality social work.
- Company: Join a supportive team dedicated to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Personal consultant, access to various jobs, guaranteed weekly payment, and CPD opportunities.
- Other info: Well-structured team with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's futures while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: SWE Registration and 1 year post-qualifying experience in the UK.
We are looking to recruit a Senior Practitioner – Children In Care within the Social Care industry in Medway.
Responsibilities include:
- Safeguard and promote the wellbeing of vulnerable children and young people through the provision of high quality social work practice, supporting them to achieve their full potential, living within their family if safe to do so.
- Participate in effective partnership working and engagement and to work collaboratively with a range of organisations, statutory and voluntary in delivering services to children and young people.
- Comply with legislation, statutory guidance and local policies and procedures.
- Be competent in all areas of the PCF at Experienced Social Worker level and The Knowledge and Skills Statement (KSS) for approved child and family practitioners.
- Manage a complex caseload within a framework of appropriate reflective supervision, undertaking focused, analytical assessments, SMART plans and reviews that have clear objectives and outcome measures in order to ensure that all looked after children receive a service that reflects the Council’s commitment to achieving positive outcomes for our looked after children.
- Demonstrate expert and effective practice in complex situations that reflects a commitment to relationship and strengths based practice, assessing and managing higher levels of risk and working collaboratively with children, young people and their families and carers.
- Provide expert advice and support to less experienced staff on aspects of casework ensuring a high level of practice is demonstrated.
- Contribute to the learning and development of others either through supporting a newly qualified social worker, supervising a family support worker, acting as a Practice Assessor for students on placement, or contributing to training activities in a specialist area.
- Lead on an area of practice (i.e. contextual safeguarding, Mind of My Own (MOMO), Life story work, Permanence) for the team or service and support others to enhance their knowledge and skills in relation to that subject.
- Be a Signs of Safety Champion and consistently use the Signs of Safety practice model in assessments and interventions with children and their families.
- Prepare clear, structured and concise reports for meetings, i.e. Looked After Children Reviews, Permanency Planning Meetings, Legal Planning Meetings and Care Proceedings as necessary, to the required standard and within the prescribed timescales.
- Participate in regular supervision to review case work and critically reflect on the work being undertaken.
- Keep up to date with research findings, theoretical models and innovative practice within the social work field in order to promote evidence informed practice and maintain the highest professional standards.
- Maintain accurate and up to date records in line with Data Protection legislation (GDPR) and use Medway Council specific recording systems to promote effective case management.
- Contribute to service development in line with local plans, initiatives and strategies.
- Deputise for the Team Manager when necessary and as appropriate.
Experience preferred:
- Senior Social Worker experience within a Local Authority.
The team:
- Well-structured organised team, growing their social worker staffing levels.
Minimum Requirements:
- SWE Registration
- 1 year post qualifying experience within UK
- Enhanced DBS/CRB (we can obtain for you)
- Eligibility to work in the UK
Benefits of working with Ackerman Pierce:
- Your own personal consultant
- Tier 1 agency
- Access to a variety of Social Care jobs Nationwide
- DBS and Compliance Service
- Quick and Easy Registration Process
- Access to CPD
- Guaranteed weekly payment
To discuss this Senior Social Worker role, or any similar vacancies we currently have available in Medway please contact Sydnee Hannam with an up to date CV.
Senior Practitioner – Children In Care in Chatham employer: Ackerman Pierce Ltd
Ackerman Pierce is an exceptional employer in the Social Care sector, offering a supportive and well-structured environment for Senior Practitioners in Medway. With a commitment to professional development, employees benefit from access to continuous training opportunities, a personal consultant, and a guaranteed weekly payment, all while working collaboratively to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of vulnerable children and young people. The culture fosters teamwork and innovation, ensuring that staff are equipped to make a meaningful impact in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner – Children In Care in Chatham
✨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 Ackerman Pierce Ltd.
✨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 Ackerman Pierce Ltd!
✨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 Ackerman Pierce Ltd, 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 Ackerman Pierce Ltd 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 In Care in Chatham
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 Ackerman Pierce Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Ackerman Pierce Ltd! 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 Ackerman Pierce Ltd
✨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.
