At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, providing guidance and training in a dynamic team environment.
- Company: Join Barnsley Council, an award-winning local authority focused on community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career in social care.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification and experience in child protection and safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 24227 - 29611 £ per year.
Position reference: 50146720, 50146721
Directorate: Children’s Services | Service: Children & Family Social Care
Salary: £50,269
Working Arrangements: Agile - 3 days in the office minimum
This is a full-time role. We are committed to supporting work-life balance, and requests for flexible working, including job share, will be considered in line with the needs of the service. Given the requirement for continuity of support to service users, any flexible working arrangements would need to ensure consistency in case management.
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Permanent
We are happy to talk flexible working arrangements with you, please get in touch.
Closing date: 21/08/2026 at 23:59
The successful candidate will be required to speak English to an appropriate standard.
This post requires an Enhanced DBS Check.
If you are currently living overseas or have lived overseas in the last five years please be aware, if you are the preferred candidate for the post, you will be required to apply for an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have resided in.
This post requires a Police Vetting Check. Prospective employees will be required to apply for a Police Vetting Check. Please note that this doesn’t supersede the DBS check.
When applying, please ensure you are prepared to start work with all the necessary legal documents, such as a valid visa, relevant to the type of work you will be undertaking. Please be aware that our organisation does not possess a Home Office license and, as a result, is unable to provide sponsorship for anyone seeking a visa as a skilled or temporary migrant worker.
Pensions Regulations have provisions to reduce pension payments in certain circumstances of those who return to work within local government service. If you are in receipt of a pension upon commencing employment with the authority, this may affect your pension entitlements and you should therefore seek advice from the relevant Pensions Authority.
We are an ambitious Local Authority who are committed to continued improvement activity in driving strength based, relational and collaborative practice in our work with children, young people, and their family networks. We want to make sure that we make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people.
Your role in our journey: The Integrated Front Door provides an integrated pathway for all concerns about child safety or welfare. It is the Front Door for referrals into our Early Help Service and Children’s Social Care. We are a co-located service with partners from the Police, Health, Education, Domestic Abuse Services, Drug and Alcohol Services, and Probation.
As an advanced practitioner you will work alongside team managers, to provide peer supervision, support, and guidance. You will develop and deliver training, support learning, and drive best practice across Children’s Social Care to deliver timely and effective decision-making, engagement with the multi-agency partnership, promote partnership working including developing links with services across Barnsley.
You will be key in promoting relationship based social work, purposeful screening assessments, and modelling excellent social work practice at the front door. You will also be expected to undertake screening of Contacts and Referrals from multi agency partners and members of the public and participate in the telephone duty system alongside social work colleagues.
You will be an experienced and knowledgeable practitioner and will have a clear understanding of thresholds for intervention. You will be able to gather information, analyse risk and identify levels of need to inform decisions in relation to next steps. You will have experience of working alongside multi-agency colleagues and will utilise their expertise to inform decisions which are proportionate. You will be committed to engaging families in safety planning and to working within a strengths-based approach.
We are looking for someone with passion and drive to improve the outcomes and lived experience of children within Barnsley. You will be able to work at pace to ensure decision making is timely. You will know what good looks like and will be confident in working within a performance management framework which supports good outcomes for children.
What You’ll Need:
- A social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England
- Experience of practice teaching, mentoring, supervising others or similar
- Advanced experience of applying in practice, the principles of legislation relating to child protection, looked after children and the provision of services to children in need.
- In-depth knowledge of relevant policy, guidance and best practice in safeguarding children, and a high level of professional competence and confidence.
- Minimum 3 years post qualifying experience
Join our double award-winning council of the year 2023 on our journey to a brighter future. By working together, with each other and with our communities, we can take pride in improving lives. Let’s make a better Barnsley for everyone.
Here at Barnsley, we live and work by four important values: honesty, teamwork, excellent service, and taking pride in what we do. As part of our team, you can be sure we’ll do all we can to support you in being truly excellent. Our dedicated Practice Development Hub will support you to prioritise learning and enabling you to achieve your potential.
If you feel that you have the skills, knowledge and experience which will help us to achieve positive outcomes for our children, young people and families in Barnsley then we would like to hear from you.
We welcome the opportunity to have a chat about the role and are happy to address any questions you may have about flexible working arrangements, including as a result of caring responsibilities.
We're committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued and everyone truly feels able to be themselves. If you have any support needs during the recruitment process, please let us know.
At Barnsley Council, we believe in second chances and value diversity. Our recruitment process is inclusive, and we welcome applicants with past convictions. We're committed to fairness and do not discriminate.
Advanced Practitioner IFD (2 posts) in Barnsley employer: Barnsley Council
Barnsley Council is an excellent employer for those seeking a meaningful career in social work, particularly within the supportive environment of the Hospital Social Work Team. With a strong emphasis on collaboration with health professionals and a commitment to employee growth through flexible working arrangements, staff are empowered to make a real difference in the lives of individuals with complex care needs. The council fosters a culture of inclusivity and professional development, making it an attractive place for qualified social workers to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner IFD (2 posts) in Barnsley
✨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 Barnsley Council.
✨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 Barnsley Council!
✨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 Barnsley Council, 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 Barnsley Council 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 Advanced Practitioner IFD (2 posts) in Barnsley
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 Barnsley Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Barnsley Council! 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 Barnsley Council
✨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.
