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- Tasks: Lead complex cases, support social workers, and ensure children's safety and development.
- Company: Join Cambridgeshire County Council, dedicated to serving diverse communities with compassion and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, a wellbeing package, relocation support, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Social Worker with registration and the ability to travel independently.
- Other info: We embrace diversity and encourage all candidates to apply, regardless of meeting every requirement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
About the role
Are you an experienced Social Worker looking for the next step in your career? We're looking for a Senior Practitioner to join us in the Children in Care Team based at Awdry House in Wisbech. The role is hybrid with a mix of office and home working. Our aim in Children in Care is to achieve permanence for children and young people who become Looked After and to ensure that they are in a home which meets their needs, reflects their right to safety and security, and encourages them to reach their full potential at every stage of their development. We encourage all Looked After children and young people to meet their full educational potential and to promote both their physical and mental health. If this sounds like a role that suits your skill set, we would love to hear from you!
What will you be doing?
- Provide leadership in high complex cases which involve risk, complexity and safety of children, young people, carers and families.
- Provide written and verbal reports for a variety of settings, including court, that are concise, informative and based on analysis of complex evidence.
- To lead, guide and direct Social Workers and Child Practitioners, supporting with their performance and development, including supervision.
- Support in planning, allocation and review of cases.
- Support with the recruitment and induction of staff.
About you
We're looking for confident and dynamic individuals who enjoy making a difference in their local community, are curious and spot things that others might not see, enjoy building relationships and like to explore possibilities. You must:
- Be a qualified Social Worker with a Social Work England registration.
- Have the ability to work from a variety of locations and travel countywide independently.
Our benefits
We value our colleagues in Cambridgeshire County Council and have developed a number of benefits in addition to the basics like annual leave, sick pay, pension and mileage:
- A comprehensive wellbeing package to cover all aspects of wellbeing, both in and out of work, which can also be accessed by your family.
- 6 days of protected time each year to support in maintaining your Continuous Professional Development.
- A relocation package of up to £8,000 (eligibility applies).
- Scalable retention payments of up to £8,850 over a 3 year period, starting after your first full year of employment.
- A Refer a Friend Scheme where if you refer another Social Worker to us who is subsequently employed by us as a result of that introduction, we'll pay you an introduction fee of £350.
- Access to our Cambridgeshire Academy for Reaching Excellence (CARE) who will support your development, enabling you to become the best practitioner you can be.
About us
Cambridgeshire is a great place to work and live with a diverse population, an urban centre in Cambridge, historic Isle of Ely, Huntingdon and St Ives as well as more rural landscapes. Our four values are central to our culture, driving everything we do. We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Cambridgeshire and want our workforce to be reflective of this diversity, which we firmly believe benefits our colleagues, the organisation and our communities.
If you don't meet every single requirement in the job role but think this could be you, please don't be put off. We are committed to building a workplace that is compassionate and inclusive as well as diverse, so if you think you could be a good candidate for this role please consider applying and speak to the recruiting manager if you have any questions.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We fully support providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process, as well as when you join us, and we encourage candidates to contact the Hiring Manager to discuss any adjustment needs.
Senior Practitioner - Children in Care employer: Cambridgeshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Cambridgeshire County Council Recruiting Team
joinus@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Children in Care
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by children in care. Understanding the complexities of their situations will help you demonstrate your expertise and commitment during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in the Children in Care Team. They can provide valuable insights into the role and the team dynamics, which can help you tailor your approach when applying.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've supported other social workers in the past. Highlighting your experience in guiding and developing others will be crucial for this senior position.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current legislation and best practices related to child welfare and safeguarding. Being knowledgeable about recent changes will show your dedication to the field and readiness for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner - Children in Care
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in social work, particularly in children in care. Emphasise your leadership skills and any complex case management you have handled.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for working with children and young people. Mention specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles and align your values with those of the organisation.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications, including your Social Work England registration. If you have additional training or certifications related to child welfare, be sure to include those as well.
Showcase Your Soft Skills: In your application, highlight soft skills such as communication, empathy, and problem-solving. These are crucial for a Senior Practitioner role and will demonstrate your ability to build relationships and support others effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridgeshire County Council
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before your interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of the responsibilities and expectations of a Senior Practitioner in Children in Care. Familiarise yourself with the key objectives of the role, such as achieving permanence for children and supporting their development.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Be ready to discuss specific cases or experiences that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to handle complex situations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Show Your Commitment to Safeguarding
Since the role involves safeguarding vulnerable children and adults, be prepared to discuss your understanding of safeguarding principles and how you have applied them in your previous roles. Highlight any relevant training or experiences.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, ask thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, support for professional development, and the council's approach to diversity and inclusion. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
