At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-quality social work for children in care and support fellow practitioners.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Havering, committed to improving lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, strong management support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace valuing diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people in care.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in children's social care and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 207 - 207 £ per hour.
As an Advanced Practitioner within the Children in Care Team, you will play a vital role in delivering high‑quality statutory social work to children and young people who are looked after by the Local Authority. You will hold a reduced but complex caseload, working with children where practice requires enhanced expertise, professional oversight and skilled intervention. Your focus will be on ensuring that care planning is child‑centred, aspirational and outcome‑focused, and that children’s lived experiences remain central to all decision‑making.
You will provide practice leadership within the team, supporting and developing social workers to deliver consistently strong, relationship‑based and strengths‑focused practice. This will include offering professional consultation, modelling high‑quality direct work with children and young people, supporting reflective supervision and contributing to the development of confident and skilled practitioners. You will play a key role in embedding high standards of permanence planning, life‑story work and preparation for independence.
The role includes oversight and quality assurance at critical points in a child’s journey, including Looked After Reviews, care planning, permanence planning and pathway planning for care‑experienced young people. You will support robust assessment, planning and review processes, ensuring that statutory responsibilities are met and that plans are purposeful, timely and responsive to children’s needs.
You will work closely with children, carers and families, as well as a wide range of multi‑agency partners, including health, education, commissioning and independent reviewing services, to ensure coordinated and effective care arrangements. You will also contribute to service development through audit activity, learning reviews and reflective practice forums, helping to drive continuous improvement across the Children in Care Service.
This role provides an excellent opportunity for an experienced practitioner to influence practice, strengthen outcomes for children in care and make a meaningful difference to the lives of care‑experienced children and young people.
Key aims and objectives of the role include:
- Delivering high‑quality, child‑centred practice for children and young people in care
- Providing professional leadership and expert consultation to support and develop social workers
- Promoting high standards of care planning, permanence planning and corporate parenting
- Supporting effective oversight, quality assurance and defensible decision‑making
- Contributing to service learning, development and continuous improvement
This is a rewarding opportunity for a skilled and reflective practitioner who is passionate about improving outcomes for children in care and supporting excellence in social work practice.
About You
You will be an experienced, confident and highly skilled social work practitioner with a strong commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people in care. You will bring advanced professional judgement, a clear understanding of corporate parenting responsibilities and the ability to support high‑quality practice in complex and emotionally demanding situations.
You will be a qualified Social Worker, holding a CQSW, Diploma in Social Work or equivalent qualification, and be registered with Social Work England. You will have substantial post‑qualifying experience within children’s social care, including significant experience of working with Children in Care, care planning, permanence planning and care proceedings.
You will demonstrate a strong understanding of attachment, trauma and the impact of care experiences on children’s development and identity. As an Advanced Practitioner, you will have demonstrable experience of providing practice leadership, supporting, mentoring and developing social workers to deliver consistently strong, relationship‑based and child‑centred practice.
You will be confident in offering professional consultation, modelling high‑quality direct work with children and young people, and contributing to reflective supervision, learning and quality assurance activity. You will have a strong working knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance and best practice, including the Children Act 1989, Care Planning Regulations and statutory guidance relating to children in care.
You will be skilled in care planning, permanence planning and pathway planning, ensuring that plans are timely, aspirational and focused on achieving stability and long‑term positive outcomes. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to work effectively with children, young people, carers and families, and to build strong working relationships with multi‑agency partners, including health, education, commissioning and independent reviewing services.
You will be confident in contributing to Looked After Reviews, court processes and other statutory forums, ensuring that children’s voices, wishes and lived experiences are clearly evidenced and central to decision‑making.
Non‑negotiable qualities for this role include:
- A clear and unwavering commitment to children in care and corporate parenting responsibilities
- Advanced professional judgement and confidence in managing complexity and challenge
- Strong practice leadership skills, with the ability to support, challenge and develop others
- High standards of professional integrity, accountability and reflective practice
- A values‑led, inclusive approach aligned with Havering’s commitment to learning, development and workforce wellbeing
If you are a skilled, reflective and motivated practitioner who is passionate about improving outcomes for children in care and supporting excellence in social work practice, we would welcome your application.
Advanced Practitioner - Children in Care in Romford employer: Borough of Havering
Havering is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of its employees while making a significant impact on the lives of children and families. With a strong commitment to systemic practice, access to accredited training, and a supportive work culture, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented team in a role that is both meaningful and rewarding. Join us in a vibrant community where your expertise is valued, and together we can create positive outcomes for those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner - Children in Care in Romford
✨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 Borough of Havering.
✨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 Borough of Havering!
✨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 Borough of Havering, 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 Borough of Havering 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 - Children in Care in Romford
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 Borough of Havering:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Borough of Havering! 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 Borough of Havering
✨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.
