At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee the welfare of looked-after children and support team operations.
- Company: Join the vibrant London Borough of Waltham Forest, a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, retention bonus, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to suit your lifestyle.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Extensive social work experience in Children & Families settings required.
The predicted salary is between 52194 - 55323 £ per year.
Organisation: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Salary: PO5 £52,194 - £55,323 Retention Bonus: £3,000 p/a
Contract Type: Permanent
Working hours per week: 36
Application Deadline: 30/09/2026
Proposed Interview Date: TBC
Reference: 2315
About Us: Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work. We are a highly ambitious borough. Driven by culture and the innate creativity of our residents, we have developed new and innovative ways to build our communities. Our Council is relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven and commercially minded; a Council focused on meeting the needs of our existing and future residents.
London Borough of Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard employers. This accreditation is proof of our commitment to creating a healthy, fair and inclusive workplace. This includes fair pay and conditions, workplace well-being, skills and progression and diversity and recruitment.
The Council’s preference is for online application. However, if you have a disability and are unable to complete an online application, please email recruitment@walthamforest.gov.uk so we can arrange an alternative application method.
About the role: The Looked After Children Advanced Practitioner plays a crucial role in overseeing the welfare and development of children within the care system. This role involves supporting the Team Manager in the implementation and monitoring of care strategies, ensuring the highest standards of service delivery to meet the needs of looked-after children.
Key Responsibilities:
- Deputise for the Team Manager as needed to ensure smooth team operations.
- Supervise up to three staff, guiding and supporting their casework.
- Facilitate PSG meetings at least twice monthly, focusing on serious case reviews and reflective learning, preferably in person.
- Oversee all leaving care transfers, ensuring timely referral to panels and supporting social workers through the process; attend transition panels as scheduled.
- Manage a caseload of up to 5 cases.
- Organise the duty rota and serve as duty manager.
- Monitor supervised staff’s performance weekly and escalate concerns as needed.
Qualifications and Requirements: To be considered for this position, you should meet the following requirements:
- Extensive post-qualification social work experience in Children & Families settings.
- Experience handling complex casework within statutory children's services.
- Experience with prioritisation, care planning, and service delivery.
- Proven ability to assess complex risks.
- Able to make decisions based on evidence and comprehensive analysis of gathered information.
Terms and conditions: The below terms and conditions apply to this role:
- Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks;
- Satisfactory declaration of interest;
- This role is subject to safer recruitment practices as it involves work with children and/or vulnerable adults;
- Satisfactory DBS check;
- Continued professional body registration;
- As a public authority, we must ensure that members of staff in public-facing roles are able to speak fluent English.
How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications online by pressing the ‘Apply’ button below. This includes a supporting statement that outlines how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy. We are a Home Office–licensed sponsor; however, for this specific role we are not able to provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. To be considered, you must already hold a form of UK work authorisation that does not require sponsorship. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population.
Contact Information: If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact Adejumoke Adeoti, Team Manager at Adejumoke.Adeoti@walthamforest.gov.uk. If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post, please contact our Recruitment Team via email at recruitment@walthamforest.gov.uk.
Fraud Awareness Notice: The London Borough of Waltham Forest only advertises vacancies via our official website and approved recruitment platforms (e.g. Jobsgopublic). We will never ask for payment or request sensitive personal or financial information as part of our recruitment process.
** INTERNAL APPLICATIONS ONLY** Advanced Practitioner in Walthamstow employer: Borough of Waltham Forest
The Borough of Waltham Forest is an excellent employer that prioritises a supportive and inclusive work culture, making it an ideal place for HR professionals to thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development and a focus on equality and diversity, the council offers meaningful opportunities for growth and advancement in the field of human resources. Working here means being part of a dedicated team that values collaboration and strives to create a positive impact within the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land ** INTERNAL APPLICATIONS ONLY** Advanced Practitioner in Walthamstow
✨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 Waltham Forest.
✨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 Waltham Forest!
✨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 Waltham Forest, 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 Waltham Forest 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 ** INTERNAL APPLICATIONS ONLY** Advanced Practitioner in Walthamstow
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 Waltham Forest:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Borough of Waltham Forest! 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 Waltham Forest
✨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.
