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- Tasks: Lead and support social work for children and families, ensuring high standards of practice.
- Company: Join Coventry City Council, a vibrant and inclusive organisation dedicated to community welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive rewards package and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive and diverse team.
- Qualifications: Must have a relevant Social Work qualification and experience in child protection and complex cases.
- Other info: We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds to reflect the communities we serve.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Overview
Our Values
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.
Our Values are: Open and fair; Nurture and develop; Engage and empower; Create and innovate; Own and be accountable; Value and respect. We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.
About The Team We Are Recruiting To
We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, accepting of all and free from discrimination and bias. At Coventry City Council, we are embarking on an incredible journey to create a brighter future for Coventry\’s children. As a \”Good\” Local Authority, we believe in pushing boundaries and delivering excellence for children and families. Our vision is clear, and our social workers are unwavering in their commitment to putting children and families at the centre of their practice. Be part of our inspiring team, making a meaningful difference in the lives of Coventry\’s children. Together, let\’s create a nurturing environment where every child\’s potential can flourish.
What is the job role?
We are seeking an experienced and confident Senior Practitioner to join our busy fostering team. In this role, you will help lead the delivery of high‑quality services for families, children, young people and foster carers. You will support the Team Manager by providing professional supervision to a Children & Family Worker, managing a complex caseload, and ensuring practice meets statutory standards and the Council values.
The role includes completing assessments, supporting foster carers, developing and delivering training, chairing meetings, supporting and leading the team in the absence of the team manager, and guiding staff in their professional responsibilities. You will also be contributing to service development and working collaboratively with partner agencies.
Flexibility is essential, as some work outside normal office hours is required to meet the needs of families. You will also be responsible for supporting team performance, maintaining accurate records, and continuing your own professional development in line with Social Work England standards.
All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.
This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Who are we looking for?
A Senior Practitioner Social Worker brings advanced assessment and risk‑management skills, strong knowledge of legislation and safeguarding practice, and the ability to lead and supervise child & family workers, students, and newly qualified workers. They communicate confidently with families, foster carers and children, chair complex meetings, and coordinate multi‑agency plans. The role requires professional autonomy, sound judgement, excellent organisational skills to balance supervision with a demanding caseload, and a commitment to continuous development and reflective practice. If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme – As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you\’ll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long‑term health condition
For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled \’Coventry City Council Application Process\’. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.
Interview date(s): 25 February 2026
About Coventry
Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change. We are cutting‑edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse. At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things. To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities. If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package – to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies
Coventry City Council
Attached documents
- Senior Practitioner Job Description and Person Specification.pdf
- Coventry City Council Application Process.pdf
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Senior Practitioner employer: Coventry City Council
Contact Detail:
Coventry City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Coventry City Council's One Coventry Values. Understanding these values will help you align your responses during the interview, showcasing how your personal beliefs and experiences resonate with their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community service.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your ability to manage complex cases and provide supervision. Highlight instances where you've successfully mentored less experienced colleagues, as this is a key aspect of the Senior Practitioner role.
✨Tip Number 3
Research current trends and challenges in children's services, particularly those relevant to Coventry. Being knowledgeable about local issues will show your commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families in the area.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with the community and network with professionals in the field. Attend local events or forums related to social work and child protection to build connections and gain insights that could be beneficial during your application process.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Values: Familiarise yourself with Coventry City Council's values, such as inclusivity and diversity. Reflect these values in your application to demonstrate alignment with their mission.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your experience working with children and families, particularly in complex cases. Use specific examples to showcase your skills in Child Protection and Care Proceedings.
Showcase Leadership Skills: As a Senior Practitioner, you'll be supervising others. Highlight any previous mentoring or leadership roles you've held, and how you supported colleagues in their development.
Tailor Your Application: Customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Address the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description and explain how your background makes you a perfect fit for the position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Coventry City Council
✨Understand the Values
Familiarise yourself with Coventry City Council's values, such as being open and fair, nurturing development, and valuing diversity. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and provide examples from your experience that demonstrate these principles in action.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Highlight your extensive background in working with children and families, particularly in complex cases. Be ready to share specific examples of your work in Child Protection or Care Proceedings, and how you have successfully managed challenging situations.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Senior Practitioner, you'll be expected to supervise and support other staff members. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've mentored or guided less experienced colleagues in the past.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity
Given the council's commitment to diversity and inclusion, be sure to express your understanding of these concepts. Share any relevant experiences where you've worked with diverse communities or contributed to creating an inclusive environment in your previous roles.
