At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people and families facing exploitation through tailored services and direct work.
- Company: Join Derby City Council, a leader in delivering essential services to the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 27 days annual leave, and discounts on retail and leisure.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; commitment to diversity and inclusion is a priority.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 2 years' experience with children and NVQ level 3 or equivalent required.
The predicted salary is between 28100 - 28380 £ per year.
The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Job details
Job title Children\'s Practitioner Job reference 000011249 Date posted 02/07/2025 Application closing date 09/07/2025 Working Pattern Blank Salary Grade G £32,115 - £32,235 a year Contractual hours Blank Basis Blank Job category/type Social Care - Children Attachments Blank Job description
Directorate: People Services
Hours: 37 hours a week
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Stanley Road with hybrid working
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our City Wide CRE Team as a Children’s Practitioner.
We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, self-motivated and committed Children’s Practitioner to work as part of our multi-agency team, to provide package of support to young people and their families who are experiencing all forms of sexual or criminal exploitation. (CRE)
The team composes of a mixture of Early Help roles, including a youth worker, children’s practitioners and runaway’s worker.
The CRE Teams focus is:
A dedicated specialist worker who can support the family/ young person intensively.
Offer a tailored package of support to families who are experiencing CRE.
Evidence based family support to prevent family breakdown and offer support and guidance to families of CRE.
Set small achievable goals for families via a safety plan.
Diversionary activities.
Work with High to Medium risk CRE cases and if appropriate low risk.
Reducing criminalisation of victims of exploitation.
The Opportunity
In the role of Children’s Practitioner, here’s an example of what you’ll be doing to make an impact:
The successful candidates will work as part of our City Wide CRE Team to offer front line services to families where there are concerns identified around sexual and criminal exploitation. They will be passionate about delivering individual and quality services to improve outcomes for children and families.
Responsibilities will include:
• Ensure that parents/carers are given every opportunity and support to assist the development of their strengths and parenting skills and abilities to improve the outcomes for families and children.
• Carry out direct work with children and young people which is child-focused and acknowledge individuality and wishes and feelings as part of wider assessments and planning of services.
• Manage a caseload, planning and delivering services to families based on an assessment of needs.
About You:
To be successful in this role, you’ll ideally have…
• At least 2 years’ experience of direct work with children, young people and families, working in a multi-agency setting in partnership with parents and carers
• NVQ level 3 or equivalent in a relevant qualification.
• Contribute to the assessment, planning, creation, implementation and evaluation of service plans for children, young people and families.
Who We Are
Here at Derby City Council, we’re dedicated to delivering nearly 250 first-class services to citizens and businesses in the heart of the Midlands. People are at the centre of all that we do, and we have an outstanding track record of recruiting and developing talented individuals by providing them with varied and fulfilling career opportunities. Find out more about what it’s like to work for us.
What We Offer
You too could be part of something brilliant by becoming a colleague at Derby City Council; in addition to making a difference to the lives of people across the city, you’ll also receive:
• 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)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Team Derby Rewards – retail and leisure discounts
• Tusker Car Benefit Scheme
• Cycle2Work Scheme & free cycle training
• Employee Assistance Programmes & Support
• Access to our Equality Employee Networks – LGBTQ+, Disabled Employee Network & Carers and our Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Employee Support Network
• Support for colleagues who are carers
Next Steps
If you would like to apply for this vacancy, please submit an application via the Derby City Council website.
The closing date for this vacancy is at midnight on 9 July 2025. Any applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
Interviews will be held: Tuesday 22 and Thursday 24 July 2025 at Osmaston/Allenton Family Hub
Important Information
Links to the full Job Description and Person Specification are below.
As part of our safer recruitment checks the successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
All employees will normally be appointed to the minimum of the grade for the job.
Before you complete your application form please read our guidance on filling in your application form.
Remember to align your personal statement to the essential criteria in the Person Specification.
Please be aware that where there are colleagues within the organisation who are \'at risk\' of redundancy, requirements to redeploy to another suitable role will apply and take priority.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are a fair and inclusive employer and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. We recruit for diversity and value difference. As many of our roles can now be home-based, we are able to offer more opportunities for people who need this facility.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. If you are a disabled person, you have the choice to apply under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme so long as you demonstrate that you meet the essential requirements for the job.
We feel it is essential that we recruit a talented workforce that is as diverse as the community we work for.
Please let us know of any individual requirements or reasonable adjustments you may have during the application, interview, or onboarding process and we’ll do all we can to help. We strongly believe in social understanding of disability and for us it’s all about removing barriers to equality.
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy or are having difficulty applying, please contact our Recruitment Team on 01332 640844 (Relay UK - 18001 01332 640 844) or at recruitmentteam@derby.gov.uk. https://www.derby.gov.uk/signing-service/
Please see Job Description here
Please see Person Specification here
Please see DBS Code of Conduct here
#J-18808-LjbffrChildren\'s Practitioner in Derby employer: Derby City Council
Derby City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for Children's Practitioners dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of young people and their families. With flexible working arrangements, extensive professional development opportunities, and a commitment to employee well-being, you will thrive in a modern office setting while contributing to vital community services in the heart of the Midlands.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Practitioner in Derby
✨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 Derby City Council.
✨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 Derby City Council!
✨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 Derby City Council, 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 Derby City Council 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 Children\'s Practitioner in Derby
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 Derby City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Derby City Council! 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 Derby City Council
✨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.
