Senior Practitioner - Children Looked After 0-16

As a Senior Practitioner, you will play a vital role in ensuring the well-being and permanence of children in care. Your expertise will be utilized in various aspects, including pre-proceedings, adoption processes, care planning and life story work. This position offers an opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable children and contribute to their long-term stability. This role is integral to the Court and Early Permanence Team, focusing on complex care proceedings and pre-birth work.

The Children Looked After service supports and inspires cared for children, and care experienced young people to become their best, and achieve their aspirations. We take our corporate parenting role very seriously and are committed to supporting our children to be heard, and to flourish. We provide social work support for children and young people aged 0-16. We aim to walk alongside them and enable their plans for permanency to be achieved. We know how important lifelong links are for our children looked after, and we work hard to enable these to be maintained.

Senior Practitioner candidates will need to have significant post qualifying experience, including in a statutory child care setting. Prior experience of working with children looked after is useful but not essential. You will however, be committed to high quality relational practice and have a natural ability in creating trusting relationships with children.

Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate good experience, knowledge and skills of ability to work in front line settings; being able to work with a complex and diverse range of needs and risks; and making effective and timely decisions including those in contextual safeguarding. Candidates will need to demonstrate their ability to working positively with partner agencies and collaborative working relationships with children and their families. Candidates will need to have good knowledge and understanding of legislative framework, relevant research and national developments, and policies relating to children's social work and relevant to the role. The Senior Practitioner roles work with children with complex needs and support the Team Managers in providing leadership of practice. We work from a systemic framework and trauma informed perspective.

About You

• Qualified Social Worker and up to date registered with Social Work England
• Foundation level systemic practice qualification – desirable
• Practice Educator or Practice Teacher qualification – desirable
• Knowledge of national policy, strategy and developments regarding children’s social care, and areas that impact on children’s social care.
• Significant experience working with children in care and those who arrived unaccompanied in the UK.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, standards and procedures.
• Knowledge of relevant theoretical frameworks, practice models and research findings.
• Knowledge of models of reflective supervision that impact on practice and outcomes.
• Able to maintain records that evidence our engagement with children and families, informs the quality assurance framework e.g., quantitative, qualitative and outcome information for the children and families, the views and experiences of children and families.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a caseload of complex care proceedings, ensuring timely and effective case management.
• Conduct pre-birth work and engage with expectant parents to promote early permanence and stability for children.
• Facilitate pre-proceedings and adoption processes, collaborating with legal teams and social workers.
• Develop and implement comprehensive care plans, considering the unique needs of each child.
• Engage in life story work, helping children understand their past and supporting their emotional well-being.
• Provide supervision and support to less experienced social workers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, including health and education professionals, to ensure holistic support for children.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.
• Attend court hearings and provide expert testimony when required, advocating for the best interests of children.
• Stay updated with relevant legislation, policies, and best practices in child protection and care.

Qualifications

• A recognized social work qualification (BA, MA, or equivalent) and current registration with the relevant regulatory body.
• Substantial experience in a similar role, with a proven track record in complex care proceedings and pre-birth work.
• Excellent knowledge of child protection legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and collaborate effectively.
• Emotional intelligence and the ability to work sensitively with vulnerable children and families.
• A commitment to continuous professional development and a willingness to stay updated with industry trends.
• Proficiency in using relevant IT systems and databases for case management.
• A flexible and adaptable approach to work, including the ability to manage changing priorities.
• A valid driving license and access to a vehicle for work-related travel.
• Eligibility to work in the UK.

About Us

Croydon Council’s priorities include balancing its books, listening to residents, and delivering good sustainable services. The Council aims to strengthen collaboration and joint working with partner organisations and the voluntary, community and faith sectors, ensuring good governance is embedded and adopting best practice.

Equal Opportunities Statement

Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role. Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.