At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a dynamic fostering service, supporting children transitioning from residential care.
- Company: Join the friendly team at Foster Wales Bridgend, dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with a focus on staff wellbeing and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while developing your career in social work.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and a passion for supporting foster carers and children.
The predicted salary is between 30150 - 36850 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity for a Senior Practitioner who enjoys working within a challenging, fast-paced service has arisen within Foster Wales Bridgend. This is a 2-year fixed term contract to support service development, including an exciting new scheme for recruiting, assessing and supporting foster carers for a Step-Down service. This Step-Down Service recruits, assesses and supports foster carers to care for children whose care plan is to step down from residential placements to fostering placements.
The service will provide an enhanced package of support and learning and development opportunities to carers involved in the step-down service. The role will also involve the support and development of other areas of service development such as the implementation of the new First Year in Practice / Induction Framework, the Learning and Development framework for foster carers, and developing the Fostering Wellbeing Programme within the General Fostering Population in Bridgend.
The Fostering Team are part of the Cwm Taff Region and as part of our approach to recruiting additional foster carers we have a regional front door to ensure a timely response to any new enquiries. We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and knowledgeable Senior Practitioner to assist the Team Manager in the General Fostering Team in the management, co-ordination and development of the team and services, in recruiting, assessing, reviewing and supporting General Foster Carers including the step-down project.
The successful candidate will work closely with the management team to develop and ensure an efficient and effective service for foster carers, care experienced children, fostering households and support networks in line with the current policies, best practice, legislation, procedures and reporting systems. The successful candidate will develop and embed the Step Down Service along with other service development opportunities, recruit, assess and hold a small number of step-down carers and complex cases, provide support/supervision to some team members, taking a lead role in developing and implementing designated areas of good practice and service development.
The role will involve collaborative working across all the Children’s teams within the Local Authority, in particular the Care Experienced Team and 15+ team who support children looked after and external providers. We also work closely with the Kinship and Permanence Team who support connected persons foster carers and Special Guardians. We are a small and friendly team with great learning and development opportunities for staff to progress their career aspirations.
The team provides a trauma-informed approach to the support and retention of foster carers. The wellbeing of the staff team is a key priority for the team and the team plan for the year ahead is around team and service development and building further resilience and support within the fostering community. Bridgend has embedded the Signs of Safety model of practice and experience and understanding of this model would be beneficial; however, full training is provided.
Bridgend County Borough is a great place to live and work. It occupies an enviable position between Swansea and Cardiff and stretches from the scenic valleys to our beautiful coastline – presenting easy access to urban centres as well as picturesque rural and coastal settings. With excellent schools, affordable housing and excellent public services, there is something for everyone here, and plenty to do all year round to support work/life balance.
Protecting children, young people or adults at risk is a core responsibility of all council employees. An Enhanced Children and Adults Barred list criminal records check by the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) is a 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. A valid driving licence is a requirement for this post.
Senior Practitioner in Wales employer: BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL
Bridgend County Borough Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional development. With a focus on multi-disciplinary teamwork, this role provides meaningful opportunities to make a real difference in the lives of adults with complex needs, all while enjoying the benefits of a hybrid working model in a vibrant community setting.
Contact Details:
BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner in Wales
✨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 BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH 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 BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH 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 BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH 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 BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH 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 Senior Practitioner in Wales
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 BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH 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 BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH 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.
