At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Post SGO Support Service and deliver high-quality assessments for kinship arrangements.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking Children’s Services team dedicated to supporting families.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, excellent pension, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and commitment to child welfare required.
The predicted salary is between 50269 - 50269 £ per year.
Directorate: Children’s Services | Service: Children In Care
Position reference:
Salary: £50,269
Working Arrangements: Agile, minimum 3 days in office
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: 03/07/2026 at 23:59
Flexible working arrangements, including job share, will be considered where they support continuity of care. All flexible arrangements must allow consistent case management.
About the Post
The Advanced Practitioner will lead the Post Special Guardianship Order (SGO) Support Service and support strategic growth, extending provision to families subject to Child Arrangements Orders. The role focuses on delivering high-quality assessments and interventions for children within kinship arrangements, while providing professional leadership, reflective supervision, quality assurance and practice guidance.
Key responsibilities include:
- Maintain a reduced caseload of kinship assessments to enable direct practice.
- Provide reflective supervision and support to the Post SGO Support Team.
- Drive high standards of practice and support professional development.
- Identify and develop creative, responsive approaches to service delivery.
- Supervise and allocate work to family support workers.
- Shape the future direction of the service and foster collaboration with partners and residents.
The role requires a practitioner with strong leadership capability, sound professional judgement and a commitment to achieving permanence and stability for children within family networks.
Enhanced DBS Check is required. If you have lived overseas in the last five years you may need to provide an overseas criminal record check. The Council does not sponsor visas; applicants must hold a valid visa if required.
Benefits & Support
- Competitive salary: £50,269.
- Excellent pension scheme.
- Flexible working to support work/life balance.
- Opportunities for training and development.
- Support for health and wellbeing.
Equal Opportunities
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to fairness, diversity and inclusive recruitment. Applicants with past convictions are encouraged to apply.
Advanced Practitioner Kinship in Barnsley employer: Barnsley Council
As an Advanced Practitioner Kinship within our Children’s Services, you will join a supportive and dynamic team dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of children in kinship arrangements. Our organisation offers a competitive salary, excellent pension scheme, and flexible working arrangements to promote a healthy work/life balance, alongside ample opportunities for professional development and training. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, we foster a collaborative work culture that values every employee's contribution and encourages innovative approaches to service delivery.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner Kinship 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 Kinship 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.
