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- Tasks: Lead and mentor in complex adult social care cases, ensuring high standards of person-centred care.
- Company: Join East Sussex County Council, dedicated to improving community health and social care services.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, continuous learning opportunities, and support for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in adult social care while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified, registered Social Worker with experience in safeguarding and mental capacity assessments.
- Other info: Flexible work arrangements and structured development plans to enhance your skills.
Are you an experienced Practitioner looking to advance your career into a Senior Practitioner position? Are you passionate about raising standards and person-centred care? Do you thrive on challenge? Are you energized by leadership and eager to mentor others? If the answer is yes, then we would welcome your application.
There are two full-time peripatetic Senior Practitioner posts based in the Adult Social Care and Health Department, working across the Hospital and CHC Service area. These are critical roles and you will play a significant part in delivering our legal duties under the Care Act and Mental Capacity Act.
Your primary role is to hold a complex caseload of Adults that will include complexities such as best interest disputes, objections of a DOLS resulting in 21A proceedings, assessment for Community Deprivation of Liberty safeguard, high-profile 42.2 Safeguarding enquiries. We are unique as a service in the fact that we have responsibility for people who are inpatients in an Acute or Community Hospital and for those who have been discharged in the community requiring a Care Act assessment of need.
The Continuing Health Care Team works in partnership with Health to assess and manage the care of adults with complex and end of life care needs. You will support Operations Managers or Practice Manager by bringing your experience and knowledge to the team to raise standards and by sharing models and social work theory to support staff and benefit the people we serve as part of our critical front-line service.
You will have opportunities to facilitate reflective practice sessions and to share your learning within the service and more widely. In your role, there will be an expectation that you will be part of the decision-making for safeguarding triage and supporting staff to set clear terms of reference for enquiries. You will be expected to participate on a rota for safeguarding in your working week. If you have development needs around safeguarding, please don’t worry, a development plan will be devised to support you to grow your confidence in decision making.
You will need to be a qualified, registered (with Social Work England) and experienced Social Work professional, with excellent knowledge of social work practice, the assessment of risk, the undertaking of mental capacity assessments and have sound working knowledge of Safeguarding Adults legislation and practice. You must also be willing to develop in these areas. Ideally, you will hold a Practice Educator qualification and be able to support Social Workers who are in their first year of social work practice and are part of their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment Programme.
Finally, there are many rewards to working for East Sussex and being part of our service, some of these include:
- Career Growth: Whether you’re already in a senior role or looking to advance, we’ll support your journey with structured development opportunities.
- Continuous Learning: With five annual training days and protected time for research, you’ll stay at the cutting edge of social work models, theories, and case law.
- Hybrid Working: Enjoy the flexibility to balance your professional and personal life with our hybrid working arrangements. Your work base can be negotiated.
- A Focus on Wellbeing: From reflective practice sessions to structured development plans, we’ll help you enhance your skills and confidence, especially around safeguarding decision-making.
- Additional Benefits: We reimburse your Social Work England registration fee, offer access to a lease car scheme (subject to criteria), and provide comprehensive support for your continuous professional development.
To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and a Cover Letter. We will be using your Cover Letter to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.
Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for further details. Interviews will take place via Teams, the interview dates will be confirmed within 7 days of the closing date. Apply Today and Make a Difference in Adult Social Care! Join a team that is critical to our community, shaping the future of care with your expertise, leadership, and compassion.
For an informal discussion, please contact – Hannah Woolston, Operations Manager on 01273 482777/ Hannah.woolston@eastsussex.gov.uk Or Daniel Francis Interim Operations Manager 07802491384 Daniel.Francis@Eastsussex.gov.uk
Senior Practitioner Social Work employer: East Sussex County Council
Contact Detail:
East Sussex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner Social Work
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Care Act and Mental Capacity Act, as these are central to the role. Understanding the legal framework will not only help you in your day-to-day responsibilities but also demonstrate your commitment to the position during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your leadership experience and mentoring skills in conversations with current practitioners or during networking events. This will show that you are ready to take on a senior role and can support others effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with local social work communities or forums to stay updated on best practices and emerging trends. This will not only enhance your knowledge but also provide you with valuable contacts who might offer insights or referrals.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the interview by practising responses to common scenario-based questions related to safeguarding and decision-making. Being able to articulate your thought process in these situations will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner Social Work
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Practitioner position. Familiarise yourself with the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and the specific challenges mentioned in the job description.
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Your cover letter is crucial for shortlisting. Address how your experience aligns with the criteria in the person specification. Highlight your leadership skills, mentoring experience, and any relevant casework that demonstrates your ability to handle complex situations.
Showcase Relevant Experience: In your CV, emphasise your qualifications, registration with Social Work England, and any specific experiences related to safeguarding, mental capacity assessments, and working with adults in various care settings. Use clear examples to illustrate your expertise.
Prepare for the Interview: If shortlisted, prepare for a Teams interview by reviewing common social work scenarios and decision-making processes. Be ready to discuss your approach to reflective practice and how you would support staff in their development.
How to prepare for a job interview at East Sussex County Council
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous roles in social work, particularly those that involved complex cases. Highlight specific examples where you successfully managed challenging situations or led a team, as this will demonstrate your capability for the Senior Practitioner position.
✨Understand the Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the Care Act and Mental Capacity Act, as well as Safeguarding Adults legislation. Be ready to discuss how these laws impact your practice and how you would apply them in real-life scenarios during the interview.
✨Emphasise Leadership Skills
Since the role involves mentoring and supporting other social workers, be sure to highlight your leadership experience. Discuss any instances where you facilitated reflective practice sessions or contributed to team development, showcasing your ability to inspire and guide others.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so prepare insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, and the challenges faced by the department. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
