At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team to provide excellent care for vulnerable individuals.
- Company: Advance, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming lives.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, professional development, discounts, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for supporting individuals with learning disabilities; experience is a plus but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 36840 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Basingstoke
Hours: 37.5 contracted hours per week (Monday to Sunday – split between on shift and office hours and may include days, evenings, weekends and bank holidays and sleep-ins)
Salary: £29,769.39 per annum (£15.23 p/h)
About the Role
Would you like to work somewhere where you get to make a real difference every day? As a Senior Practitioner you will work alongside your Support Manager to provide an excellent support service for the customers around Basingstoke. You will support by leading, developing, monitoring, and evaluating support practice in line with Advance policies and procedures, best practice, contractual and regulatory standards. You will be passionate about ensuring the service delivered is person-centred and supports people to develop their confidence, skills and independence in their own home and in the local community.
The role of Senior Practitioner will include:
- Overseeing the support given by the support workers and providing practice leadership for the team.
- Supporting and observing support workers in their role and ensuring best practice.
- Coaching team members to deal with behaviours that challenge, acting as a role model for best practice and encouraging a reflective culture.
- Working effectively across a range of teams, including peer group and Multi-Disciplinary, and Specialist Health Teams.
- Supporting the review and update of support plans and documents relating to customers.
- Working in partnership with the Operations Manager, Support Manager and Support Workers to develop and implement plans which promote people’s communication and support them with making choices and decisions.
- Taking an active role in the training, coaching and development of staff on all aspects of Mental Health and person-centred delivery.
- Being alert to and proactive in safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of customers, yourself and colleagues.
- Attending meetings to discuss customers' progress and plan for future transitions.
About the candidate
We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about improving the lives of local, vulnerable people. What matters to us is your ability and determination to support people with learning disabilities, and the values you can bring to Advance. The successful candidate will ideally have experience of working with people with learning disabilities and Mental Health Support; however, training can be given to the right applicant.
If you think the role of Senior Practitioner sounds right for you, you will need these qualities:
- Are flexible, reliable and proactive.
- Are supportive of the customers’ goals to live the lifestyle of their choosing.
- Are willing to learn new skills.
- Work with a person-centred approach.
- Have good IT knowledge.
- Have good communication skills.
- Able to complete good quality support records.
- Good at working on your own and within a team.
Although not essential, a driving licence and access to own vehicle are desirable for this role.
About the organisation
Advance is a national, not-for-profit provider of housing and support services for people with disabilities and mental health conditions. Our vision is to transform lives; providing the best quality housing and support services so that people can live the lives they choose, achieve their personal goals, feel valued and know their voices are heard. We recognise that our people are our greatest asset and we’re passionate about making Advance a great place to work. We invest in our staff, providing the training and support you need to succeed in your role, gain industry-recognised qualifications and realise your career aspirations.
Benefits of working for Advance:
- Paid holiday (from 25 days up to 30 days with long service in addition to bank holidays, pro rata for part time hours).
- Sector specific training is provided as part of induction plus opportunities for professional development.
- Access to Perks at Work where you can obtain great discounts on cinema tickets, shopping vouchers and much more.
- Long service awards payable in 5 year increments.
- Golden Hello/refer a friend receive up to £500.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
- Free DBS (Disclosures and Barring Service).
- Excellent opportunities to progress your career within Advance.
- Enrolment in a pension scheme with matched contributions above the statutory minimum (if you work enough hours to meet the threshold for enrolment).
Advance is regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing and the Care Quality Commission and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support. You will be required to provide evidence of right to work. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this role, the cost of which will be covered by Advance.
Safeguarding
At Advance, Safeguarding is embedded in our organisational culture — it’s reflected in our values, our behaviours, and the way we work together. We believe that creating a safe environment is not just about compliance, but about cultivating trust, openness, and accountability at every level. We value diversity and therefore welcome applications from everyone interested in working at Advance.
Senior Practitioner in Basingstoke employer: Advance Housing and Support Ltd
Advance Housing and Support Ltd is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Southend-on-Sea. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer flexible working hours and comprehensive career development opportunities, ensuring that our team members can thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we support.
Contact Details:
Advance Housing and Support Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner in Basingstoke
✨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 Advance Housing and Support 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 Advance Housing and Support 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 Advance Housing and Support 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 Advance Housing and Support 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 in Basingstoke
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 Advance Housing and Support Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Advance Housing and Support 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 Advance Housing and Support 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.
