At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape social work practice in a supportive mental health team.
- Company: Join Derby City Council, dedicated to improving lives in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, professional development, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health support while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Must hold a recognised Social Work Qualification and AMHP or BIA qualification.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 44000 € per year.
A new and exciting opportunity has arisen to join our friendly and supportive Mental Health Social Care Teams for two Senior Practitioners to provide operational leadership in the Community Mental Health Service in Derby City. As a Senior Practitioner in Derby City’s forward‑thinking Social Work Mental Health Team, you will play a vital role in shaping Social Work practice. There is a strong culture of preventative, strengths‑based, asset‑based and tech‑enabled approaches within our work. We work closely with partner agencies to provide an integrated approach to the delivery of support.
You should have experience of working with adults with severe mental ill health and of multidisciplinary working within a statutory framework. This post is designed to improve working practices in relation to timely Mental Health Support with a recovery and preventive approach. You will be expected to provide high quality supervision to social workers and Enablement Workers, fostering their professional growth and championing strengths and assets‑based practice. You will play a role in developing best practice and work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams in the health and social care sector. You will be part of a supportive team dedicated to improving outcomes for adults with mental health needs.
Working alongside the Service Manager, you will play a key role in shaping services and ensuring high standards of practice. This post is a designated Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) post. Therefore, you will need to hold an existing AMHP or BIA qualification. We welcome applications from experienced social care practitioners, and we are keen to support career development in a challenging yet rewarding mental health field. Applicants must already hold a recognised Social Work Qualification and be registered with Social Work England. You will be required to be a car driver with your own transport available. Reasonable adjustments will be made for applicants under the Equalities Act 2010.
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.
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), 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 our Equality Employee Networks – LGBTQ+, Disabled Employee Network & Carers and our Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Employee Support Network and Neurodiversity Network
- Support for colleagues who are carers
If you would like to apply for this vacancy via an application form, please submit an application via the Derby City Council website. The closing date for this vacancy is at midnight on 5th April 2026. Any applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. If you would prefer to apply for this job using your CV, then please download the attached Declaration Form and send it to eileen.burrell@derby.gov.uk. Without a completed declaration form, your application will not be accepted.
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.
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.
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.
Senior Social Work Practitioner employer: East Midlands Jobs
Derby City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees are at the heart of our mission to deliver first-class services. With a strong commitment to professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a focus on employee wellbeing, we empower our staff to thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals in our community. Join us in Derby City, where you can enjoy a modern office setting, generous leave entitlements, and access to various employee support networks.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Work Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the mental health field, especially those who work at Derby City Council. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your strengths-based and asset-based approaches. Be ready to share examples of how you've applied these in your previous roles – it’ll show you’re a perfect fit for their forward-thinking team!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your experience with multidisciplinary teams. They value collaboration, so share stories that showcase your ability to work effectively with others in a statutory framework.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to tailor your application to what they’re looking for.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Work Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for in a Senior Social Work Practitioner.
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t just list your qualifications; share specific examples of your work with adults facing mental health challenges. We want to see how you've made a difference in previous roles, especially in multidisciplinary settings.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your personal statement is easy to read while still showcasing your passion for social work.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application via the Derby City Council website. It’s the best way to ensure your application is received and considered, plus it helps us keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at East Midlands Jobs
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key aspects of mental health social work, especially around strengths-based and asset-based approaches. Brush up on your knowledge of statutory frameworks and multidisciplinary working, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Practitioner, you’ll be expected to provide supervision and foster professional growth. Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully led teams or mentored colleagues in the past, highlighting your ability to champion best practices in social work.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making in challenging situations. Think about real-life examples where you’ve made a positive impact on clients’ lives and how you approached those situations.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. You might want to ask about their approach to integrated care or how they support ongoing professional development for their staff.
