At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through direct work, building trust and promoting emotional skills.
- Company: Join a supportive local government team dedicated to children's welfare.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 27 days leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive employer with a focus on diversity and support for all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career in social care.
- Qualifications: Level 3 childcare qualification and 2 years' experience in a multi-agency setting.
The predicted salary is between 33143 - 36363 £ per year.
Job reference: 000012269
Date posted: 16/06/2026
Closing date: 17/07/2026
Working pattern: 37 hours per week, full time
Contract: Fixed term – 12 months
Salary Grade G – £33,143 - £36,363
Job category: Social Care – Children
Location: Derby
What We Offer
- Flexible work/life balance scheme
- Hybrid working
- Modern office environment
- Continued professional development opportunities & career conversations
- 27 days annual leave (rising to 32 days after 5 years' service), plus bank holidays
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Team Derby Rewards – retail and leisure discounts
- Tusker Car Benefit Scheme
- Cycle2Work Scheme & free cycle training
- Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Calendar and Support
- Access to Equality Employee Networks and other support networks
- Support for colleagues who are carers
Key Responsibilities
- Direct Work with Children
- Build safe, trusting and professional relationships with children
- Undertake age‑appropriate direct work to help children understand their care journey
- Support children to develop emotional, social and practical skills for a safe return home where appropriate
- Work with Parents and Family Members (Reunification)
- Support parents to understand the impact of past harm, neglect or trauma on their children
- Model positive parenting strategies during home visits and family time sessions
- Assist parents to engage with support services required within the reunification plan
- Family Finding and Network Mapping
- Work with social workers to identify and engage wider family members and connected persons who may offer safe, sustainable care or support to the child
- Undertake family finding activity
- Contribute to viability assessments and information‑gathering about potential carers, providing clear factual summaries
- Safeguarding and Risk Management
- Maintain focus on the child’s safety and wellbeing, recognising indicators of harm, neglect or exploitation
- Contribute to safety planning and risk management, including strategies to manage contact, supervise home conditions and address emerging concerns
- Multi‑Agency and Team Working
- Collaborate with social workers, family help, education, health, youth justice, housing and other partners to deliver coordinated support
- Participate in family network meetings, child looked after reviews, multi‑agency meetings as required
- Track progress against agreed goals and outcomes, highlighting where plans need adaptation
- Participate in relevant training, development programmes and practice workshops
- Contribute to service development by sharing practice learning and feedback
- Professional Standards and Values
- Promote a strengths‑based, trauma‑informed and relational approach
- Uphold equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring culturally sensitive and anti‑discriminatory practice
About You
You will be an ambitious, reflective and compassionate Children’s Practitioner, committed to improving outcomes for children and families. You will bring strong professional practice knowledge and the ability to provide strengths‑based and evidence‑based interventions to support successful and safe transition from care for children.
Essential qualifications
- Recognised child‑care qualification Level 3 or above in Childcare, Health and Social Care, Youth Work and/or equivalent
Essential experience
- At least 2 years’ experience of direct work with children, young people and families, promoting the needs of children, working in a multi‑agency setting and in partnership with parents and carers and other professionals.
Knowledge, skills and attributes
- Strong understanding of safeguarding and key statutory guidance (Children Act 1989/2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children)
- Clear knowledge of regulatory frameworks, care planning and permanence planning
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ability to build effective relationships with children, families, carers and partner agencies
- Solution‑focused, resilient and able to manage complexity and competing demands
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are a fair and inclusive employer and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. We recruit for diversity and value differences. We are a Disability Confident Leader; we provide a guaranteed interview scheme in accordance with the Equality Act. We encourage reasonable adjustments and will support candidates throughout the recruitment and onboarding process.
Children's Practitioner - 2 Posts employer: Derby City Council
As a Children's Practitioner in Derby, you will join a supportive and inclusive team dedicated to improving the lives of children and families. We offer a flexible work/life balance, extensive professional development opportunities, and a modern office environment, all while ensuring your wellbeing through various support networks. With generous annual leave and a commitment to equality and diversity, we strive to create a rewarding workplace where you can thrive both personally and professionally.
