At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and educate social work students while coordinating placements and mentoring apprentices.
- Company: Join Birmingham City Council's dedicated Practice Learning Team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, recruitment payment, flexible working options, and professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a commitment to high-quality practice and continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in social work education and support future professionals.
- Qualifications: Registered Social Worker with PE1 and PE2 qualifications and experience in practice education.
The predicted salary is between 45091 - 53460 £ per year.
We are seeking a motivated and experienced Social Work Practice Educator to join our Practice Learning Team within the Adult Social Care and Health Directorate. The team plays a key role in supporting professionals at all stages of their careers, with a particular focus on Social Work students, Social Work apprentices, Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs), and Practice Educators, ensuring high standards of practice and development.
You will join a collaborative and experienced team committed to promoting high-quality practice, continuous learning, and innovative development opportunities aligned to the evolving demands of social work. This varied role offers an excellent opportunity to further develop your expertise within Adult Social Work while remaining informed of national, regional, and local developments and research.
The Practice Learning Team is well established and supports (Adults) Social Workers at all stages of their career, with a strong focus on Students, Apprentices, NQSWs, and Practice Educators.
Key Responsibilities- Coordinate social work student placements by liaising with university partners, including overseeing placement provision and securing required budget approvals.
- Monitor and map placement demand and availability, matching students to an appropriate pool of Practice Educators.
- Support, educate, and assess small cohorts of social work students during their placements.
- Work collaboratively with Workforce Planning to identify demand and support the recruitment of social work apprentices, as well as securing required budget approvals.
- Provide workplace mentoring, education, and oversight of apprentice progress, including participation in university progress reviews.
- Deliver management supervision and ongoing support to apprentices.
- Lead the coordination and delivery of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme.
- Provide mentoring, practice education, and reflective supervision to Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs).
- Map, procure, and commission practice education training, ensuring effective use of resources and securing required budget approvals.
- Support qualified Practice Educators to maintain professional standards and remain current in their role.
- Provide mentoring and undertake assessment of Practice Educators in training.
- Deliver management supervision to the Hoarding Team, ensuring effective oversight and support.
- Registered Social Worker with PE1 and PE2 qualifications.
- Maintain current Practice Educator status, demonstrating ongoing professional competence and up-to-date knowledge of practice education standards.
- Experience of supporting or assessing social work practice.
- A commitment to high-quality, reflective practice.
- Knowledge of current social work standards, frameworks, and developments.
For enquiries, please contact Gurjit Mann, Team Manager via email Gurjit.mann@birmingham.gov.uk. Please upload an up-to-date CV and Personal Statement via the attachments part of your application. The Personal Statement should outline how you meet the essential criteria for the role through your personal qualities, skills and experience and include your motivation for applying to the post. Note the Personal Statement should be no more than 1500 words. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV and Personal Statement attached.
We welcome applications from people with caring responsibilities and flexible working options will be considered. Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people. We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken. Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed. Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Multi-Disciplinary Senior Practitioner in Birmingham employer: Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for professionals in the social care sector. With a strong commitment to employee development, the Practice Learning Team provides numerous opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement, ensuring that staff are well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of social work. Additionally, the council's status as a Disability Confident Leader highlights its dedication to inclusivity and support for all employees, making it an ideal workplace for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in Birmingham.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Multi-Disciplinary Senior Practitioner in Birmingham
✨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 Birmingham City 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 Birmingham City 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 Birmingham City 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 Birmingham City 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 Multi-Disciplinary Senior Practitioner in Birmingham
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 Birmingham City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Birmingham City 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 Birmingham City 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.