At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and mentor care leavers, driving high standards of practice and collaboration.
- Company: Bradford Children and Families Trust, dedicated to empowering care-experienced young people.
- Benefits: Generous leave, competitive salary, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on improving outcomes for care leavers.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people transitioning from care to independence.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with strong communication and teamwork skills.
The predicted salary is between 29250 - 35750 £ per year.
- Practice Supervisor – Care Leavers Service
- Practice Supervisor – Care Leavers Service – 12 months fixed term secondment
- About the Care Leavers Service
Care-experienced young people face significant challenges as they transition from care to independence, often leaving home at a much earlier age and without the consistent family supporttheir peers enjoy.
Many have experienced trauma, instability, and adversity, which can impact their confidence and opportunities.
Sadly, care-experienced young people are statistically more likely to face poorer long-term outcomes compared to their peers: they are less likely to be in education, employment, or training, and more likely to experience homelessness, long-term mental health difficulties, and involvement in the criminal justice system.
At Bradford Children and Families Trust, we are committedto changing this narrative by reducing barriers, enhancing strengths, and increasing opportunities for care-experienced young people to succeed and thrive.
We celebrate their resilience, skills, and achievements, and work to empower them through meaningful relationships, trust, and consistent support.
To supportthis ambition, Bradford Children and Families Trustis expanding its Care Leavers Service as part of a planned development to strengthen resources and enhance supportfor care-experienced young people.
This includes creating a new team, increasing the number of Personal Advisors, Managers, and Practice Supervisors to ensure we deliver the highest quality support, be the best possible corporate parent we can, and provide consistent care and guidance as children and young people transition from care to independence.
Our service is built on strong foundations: a permanent and experienced management team, high levels of permanent staff, low staff turnover, and a culture of high-quality supportand supervision.
This stability enables us to continue to develop practice standards and provide a reflective, learning environment where staff and young people can thrive
We want young people leaving care to feelloved and cared about and to know that we have high aspirations for their future.
If you believe this too, believe that you can be that caring person for young people leaving care and make a positive impact on their lives, we want to hear from you.
Ready to make a difference? Join us and help shape a brighter future for Bradford’s care leavers.
About the Role
As a Practice Supervisor, you will
- Drive high standards of practice to help care leavers thrive.
- Support Personal Advisors and social workers through coaching, mentoring, and reflective supervision.
- Contribute to Bradford’s Care Leavers Local Offer and develop expertise in areas such as supportingseparated childmigrants and care leavers at risk of exploitation.
- Focus on practice development rather than holding a caseload.
- Collaboratewith service managers and the Principal Social Worker to deliver training, quality assurance, and practice improvement initiatives.
- This role is ideal for experienced social workers aspiring to progress into management.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as Practice Educator and mentor for Personal Advisors, social workers, ASYEs, and students.
- Provide reflective supervision and practice observations.
- Drive quality assurance through audits and dip sampling.
- Deliver training and practice development activities.
- Co-allocate complex work and championbest practice.
- Collaboratewith partners and contribute to performance oversight.
- What We are Looking For
- A qualified social worker (Degree, Dip SW, CQSW or equivalent) registered with Social Work England.
- Completed Practice Educator Level 1 or 2 (or willingness to work towards this).
- Strong communication and teamwork skills for multi-agency collaboration.
- Up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding, policy, and practice relevant to care leavers.
- Ability to act as a consultant on complex cases and leadon challenging assessments.
- Enthusiasm, adaptability, and commitmentto improving outcomes for care leavers.
- Full driving licence and access to a car (unless exempt due to disability).
- Annual retention payment (paid monthly, reviewed annually).
- Enhanced annual leave: 31 days rising to 34 (plus bank holidays).
- Generous Local Government pension contributions.
- Competitive salary and structured pay progression.
- Flexible working and hybrid options (subject to service needs).
- Paid Social Work England registration fees.
- Comprehensive wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling.
- Enhanced parental leave policies.
- Access to Blue Light Card discounts.
- Professional development and career progression opportunities.
For full details of our benefits, please see the attached ‘Our Benefits’ brochure.
Bradford Children and Families Trustis committedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to sharethis commitment.
If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
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- Practice Supervisor – Care Leavers Service
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Practice Supervisor – Care Leavers Service – 12 months fixed term secondment employer: Bradford Children and Families Trust
Bradford Children and Families Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both staff and the children they serve. With manageable caseloads and hybrid working options, employees can enjoy a healthy work-life balance while benefiting from continuous professional development and career growth opportunities in a collaborative environment dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community.
Contact Details:
Bradford Children and Families Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Supervisor – Care Leavers Service – 12 months fixed term secondment
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Bradford Children and Families Trust, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Practice Supervisor – Care Leavers Service – 12 months fixed term secondment
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Bradford Children and Families Trust. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Bradford Children and Families Trust. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bradford Children and Families Trust
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Bradford Children and Families Trust.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Practice Supervisor – Care Leavers Service – 12 months fixed term secondment role at Bradford Children and Families Trust, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Bradford Children and Families Trust that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
