At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage complex cases and provide expert guidance to a team of social workers.
- Company: Join Kent County Council, rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and innovation in social work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in Children In Care and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 46000 £ per year.
Connect2Kent recruit exclusively for Kent County Council. We recruit for a range of Social Work positions both Locum and Permanent. Kent County Council are Ofsted rated as 'Outstanding'. We are currently recruiting for a Senior Social Worker to join the Children In Care Team covering Dartford, Swanley and surrounding areas. Previous experience is required working in Children In Care.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Manage a caseload of complex cases involving high levels of risk and needs to a high standard to ensure resources are utilised effectively.
- Provide a high quality resource of professional social work knowledge and expertise to a team of Social Workers, including student supervision, chairing complex meetings, assisted fieldwork, attendance in court, case audits and reviews, to assist the team in ensuring that it carries out its core tasks to a high standard.
- Provide coaching and mentoring support to Social Workers, including those undertaking social work training, to support and further their professional knowledge and development to impact upon the overall quality of practice within teams.
- Attend court, where appropriate, to assist the team in ensuring that key professional input and expertise is provided to high profile and sensitive cases.
- Act as Practice Assessor to support student placements/ASYE.
- Liaise regularly with colleagues throughout the Council to ensure social work staff deliver existing and new practices consistently and to a high standard.
- Contribute to the development of new initiatives through attendance or leadership on working groups, multi-agency forums, training courses, etc., and acting as lead for identified service initiatives, i.e. planning for permanence and research work, to develop current and new ways of working that meet service requirements.
- Maintain awareness of changes in legislation and related policies and practices and ensure all social work staff are also informed of these changes to enable consistent and timely implementation.
Connect2Kent is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
Locations
Senior Practitioner in Dartford, Kent employer: Connect2Kent
Contact Detail:
Connect2Kent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner in Dartford, Kent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in social work, especially those who have experience with Children In Care. They might know about openings or can give you a heads-up on what the team is looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of current legislation and best practices in social work. We want you to show that you're not just a candidate, but a knowledgeable professional ready to make an impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your mentoring and coaching skills during interviews. Highlight any experience you have in supporting other social workers or students, as this is key for a Senior Practitioner role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people at Connect2Kent. Plus, we’re always here to help you along the way!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner in Dartford, Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Practitioner role. Highlight your experience in managing complex cases and working with Children In Care, as this will show us you’re a great fit for the team.
Showcase Your Expertise: Don’t hold back on sharing your professional social work knowledge! We want to see how you’ve provided coaching and mentoring support in the past, so include specific examples that demonstrate your skills.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences quickly.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Connect2Kent
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of social work practices, especially those related to Children In Care. Familiarise yourself with the latest legislation and policies that impact the role, as this will show your commitment and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your ability to manage complex cases and mentor others. Think about situations where you’ve made a significant impact, whether through case audits or leading meetings, and be ready to discuss these in detail.
✨Engage with the Team Dynamics
Understand the importance of teamwork in social work. Be prepared to talk about how you’ve collaborated with colleagues in the past, and how you can contribute to the team at Kent County Council. Highlight your experience in multi-agency forums or working groups.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the team’s current challenges or initiatives they’re working on. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.