At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex child protection cases and mentor fellow practitioners to enhance their skills.
- Company: Join Hampshire County Council, recognised for outstanding children's services.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Access to excellent learning opportunities and relocation assistance available.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in child protection and safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 47768 - 52202 £ per year.
Job Reference: HCC622539
Salary Range: £47,768 - £52,202 per annum, inclusive of Market Supplement of £7,125 per annum
Work Location: Countywide, Hampshire - choose from Basingstoke, Test Valley (Andover), East Hampshire (Alton), New Forest (Totton), Hart & Rushmoor (Aldershot & Farnborough), Eastleigh & Winchester, Fareham & Gosport, Havant
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
The Role
Embark on the next step of your Social Work career with a transformative role in Child Protection. As part of a network of Lead Practitioners, you'll be guided by strategic leadership and united by a shared commitment to achieving positive outcomes for children and families across Hampshire.
We're proud to be part of a select group of local authorities recognised by Ofsted as Outstanding for the quality and impact of our children's services. This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your professional practice, mentor and collaborate with colleagues, and actively shape a culture of learning and continuous development.
What you'll do
- Take charge of a diverse caseload of complex child protection cases, ensuring families receive the right interventions and support.
- Offer expert guidance and mentorship to colleagues, enhancing their professional growth and boosting team effectiveness.
- Confidently chair meetings and engage with a wide range of stakeholders to advocate for the needs of children and families.
- Collaborate with external partners, including various agencies and stakeholders, to provide comprehensive support for families.
- Champion reflective practice and contribute to service development and innovation.
What we're looking for
- Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England (SWE).
- Significant experience working with children and families in a UK-based statutory social work setting, with a strong focus on child protection and safeguarding.
- Proven ability to manage complex child protection cases and deliver effective interventions.
- Proven experience in mentoring and supporting less experienced practitioners whilst role modelling best practice.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding and in-depth knowledge of the legal frameworks and professional issues underpinning child protection and social work practice.
- Highly skilled in building trust and engaging with families. Able to listen, negotiate, and engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Why join us
- Outstanding support: Regular, reflective supervision and a culture that values your voice.
- Flexible working: Including a 9-day fortnight and hybrid options to support work-life balance.
- Career development: 5 personal development days per year and access to excellent learning opportunities through our DfE 'Partner in Practice' initiative.
- Back-office support: Dedicated business support team to free up your time for frontline work.
- Relocation assistance: Up to £8,500 available for experienced UK-based Social Workers relocating to Hampshire (subject to management approval).
- Wellbeing support: Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
- Competitive benefits package: Generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Travel Requirements
You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight or other local authority, and it is essential that you have a current drivers' licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.
Vetting Requirements
This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children's Services, references will be requested prior to interview.
Important
You must already have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Diversity and Inclusion
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.
Child Protection Lead Practitioner in London employer: Community Care Live
Join Hampshire County Council as a Child Protection Lead Practitioner and be part of an outstanding team dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of children and families. With a strong focus on professional development, flexible working options, and a supportive culture that values your input, this role offers a unique opportunity to enhance your skills while contributing to a vital service in a beautiful county. Enjoy generous benefits, including relocation assistance and comprehensive wellbeing support, all while working in a collaborative environment that champions continuous learning and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Child Protection Lead Practitioner in London
✨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 Community Care Live.
✨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 Community Care Live!
✨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 Community Care Live, 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 Community Care Live 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 Child Protection Lead Practitioner in London
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 Community Care Live:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Community Care Live! 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 Community Care Live
✨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.
