Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Care Experience Children's Team to support and assess children and families.
- Company: Bridgend County Borough Council is dedicated to improving lives through quality social work.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive environment, career development, and hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while growing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Must have 3+ years of social work experience and a valid driving license.
- Other info: Welsh language skills are required; robust induction and mentoring provided.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Senior Practitioner – Care Experience Children's Team
Job description
37 hours per week
Are you passionate about improving the lives of children and young people? Do you want to work for an employer who places major importance on high quality supervision, wellbeing and career development?
Bridgend County Borough Council offer great opportunities to further your social work career. We want Social Workers to join us to assess and support the children and families across the county borough.
We have recently completed a restructure to provide an even wider range of pathways for children who are care experienced. As a result of the restructure, four smaller case management teams have been created and will be underpinned by a strengths-based approach within a collaborative and supportive environment.
We are currently recruiting for a Senior Practitioner who will be based within our Care Experienced Children’s team. The team was developed within recent years to ensure our Care Experienced Children receive the service and outcomes they deserve. The structure includes one team manager, two deputy team managers and two senior practitioners.
Our MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) went live in April 2018. This service incorporates both the requirements of the Social Services & Well Being (Wales) Act 2014 alongside safeguarding our most vulnerable children and adults.
Our Locality Teams are based within three community hubs around the county borough. Our targeted Family Support Services are co-located with our Locality Teams to provide a continuum of services ranging from early help to intensive provision to families with complex needs. We also have teams who offer expertise in relation to children with disabilities and young people aged 16 and over who are entitled to leaving care services.
In 2023 Children’s Social Care launched the ‘Signs of Safety’ social work model which underpins all of our practice in Bridgend County Borough Children’s Services. All new staff will be provided with a suite of training that will support them to develop their practice in line with the principles of the model.
We would love to hear from experienced Social Workers who have 3 years’ experience or more of service. If successful you will receive a robust induction, regular supervision, additional support and mentoring where required. As well as this, you will be able to further your career with both developmental and promotional opportunities.
We are a reflective organisation that continuously builds on its strengths and is committed to the principle that the most effective way of improving outcomes for all children, young people and families is through the provision of accessible, universal services.
Working in a rewarding and educational environment where staff feel valued is For further information please contact team manager Rhian Bowen on (01656) 815211.
The ability to greet customers through the medium of Welsh is a requirement for this post.
Protecting children, young people or adults at risk is a core responsibility of all council employees.
An Enhanced with Childrens Barred list criminal records check by the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) is a requirement for this post.
A valid driving licence is requirement for this post.
The council’s Hybrid Working Policy applies to this post. This provides a framework for establishing how you will undertake working hours between your home and the office.
Closing Date: 8 January 2025
Shortlisting Date: 10 January 2025
Interview Date: 20 January 2025
Benefits to working at Bridgend County Borough Council
Job Description & Person Specification
Senior Practitioner - Care Experience Children's Team employer: BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Detail:
BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Care Experience Children's Team
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the 'Signs of Safety' social work model that Bridgend County Borough Council has recently implemented. Understanding this framework will not only help you align your practice with their values but also demonstrate your commitment to their approach during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in working within multi-agency settings, as this role involves collaboration with various teams. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully worked with other professionals to support children and families.
✨Tip Number 3
Since the ability to communicate in Welsh is a requirement, if you're proficient, make sure to mention this in your discussions. If you're not fluent, consider taking a short course to improve your skills before the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Bridgend County Borough Council's recent restructuring and the creation of smaller case management teams. Being knowledgeable about their organizational changes will show your genuine interest in the position and your readiness to adapt to their new structure.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner - Care Experience Children's Team
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Practitioner position. Highlight your relevant experience in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to reflect your experience in social work, particularly focusing on your work with children and families. Emphasize any experience you have with care-experienced children and your understanding of the 'Signs of Safety' model.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: Craft a cover letter that showcases your passion for improving the lives of children and young people. Discuss your approach to social work and how it aligns with the values of Bridgend County Borough Council.
Highlight Language Skills: If you have the ability to communicate in Welsh, make sure to mention this in your application. This is a requirement for the role and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL
✨Show Your Passion for Child Welfare
Make sure to express your genuine passion for improving the lives of children and young people during the interview. Share specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your commitment to child welfare and how you have positively impacted the lives of those you’ve worked with.
✨Familiarize Yourself with 'Signs of Safety'
Since Bridgend County Borough Council uses the 'Signs of Safety' model, it’s crucial to understand its principles and how they apply to social work practice. Be prepared to discuss how you would implement this model in your work and any relevant experiences you have had with similar frameworks.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Skills
The role involves working within a collaborative environment, so emphasize your ability to work effectively in teams. Share examples of how you have successfully collaborated with colleagues or other agencies to support children and families, showcasing your teamwork and communication skills.
✨Prepare for Questions on Safeguarding
Given the importance of safeguarding in this role, be ready to answer questions related to child protection and your approach to safeguarding vulnerable children. Discuss any relevant training or experiences you have that demonstrate your understanding and commitment to safeguarding practices.
