At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead improvements in children's services and support multi-agency child protection efforts.
- Company: Join Enfield Council, a diverse and ambitious borough focused on family support.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, excellent pension, remote work options, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity for a paid sabbatical and access to health and leisure discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working with a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's social care, safeguarding, and service improvement is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60684 - 80202 £ per year.
This fixed‑term role will support the delivery of Families First in Enfield. You will help embed Family Help, multi‑agency child protection arrangements and the Family Safeguarding practice model across children’s services. You will work with managers, practitioners and partners to improve practice, strengthen quality assurance and support staff to work confidently and consistently. You will also support preparation for HMIP inspection activity and help ensure we can clearly show the impact of our work for children and families. When needed you will deputise for the Head of Practice Improvement and represent the service in key meetings.
Enfield is a diverse and ambitious borough. Our Children and Family Services are focused on giving children and families the right help at the right time. We are working with partners to strengthen Family Help, child protection arrangements, wider social care and make better use of quality assurance and data.
We are looking for someone with strong experience in children’s social care, targeted early help, safeguarding or service improvement. You will understand good practice and be confident working across teams and with partners. You will have experience of quality assurance, audits, practice improvement, workforce development and supporting change. Experience of inspection preparation, including HMIP or similar inspection activity, would be helpful. You will be able to use evidence and data to identify what is working well, what needs to improve and how this is making a difference for children and families.
We offer the chance to be part of an important programme of change in children’s services. You will join a supportive and committed team, work with colleagues and partners across the borough, and help improve services for children and families. Alongside the Council’s benefits package, you will have the opportunity to influence practice, support learning and contribute to lasting improvement.
- An excellent pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Up to 32 days annual leave depending on grade and length of service.
- You will also get eight public holidays per year and an extra day off at Christmas.
- A blend of remote and office based working for most roles.
- Interest free season ticket loan repayable over three or ten months.
- Career development and learning experiences from a range of training courses and learning methods.
- Employee Assistance Programme to provide advice and counselling services. This is a free and confidential service available to staff and members of their family.
- Health and leisure discounts and tax‑free bikes for work.
- 1 month’s paid sabbatical for registered Social Workers working in Children's Social Care.
If you would like to know more about the role, please contact Angela Bent or Ivana Price for an informal discussion.
Certain posts in the Council are ‘politically restricted’ which means staff employed in these posts may not undertake political activities either in or outside the workplace. If candidates are affiliated with any political party, the application may not be proceeded.
Families First Practice Improvement Manager in London employer: Enfield Council
Enfield Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment for its staff. With a strong focus on professional development, employees benefit from extensive training opportunities, a generous leave policy, and a comprehensive pension scheme, all while contributing to meaningful improvements in children's services within a diverse and ambitious borough.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Families First Practice Improvement Manager in London
✨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 Enfield 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 Enfield 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 Enfield 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 Enfield 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 Families First Practice Improvement Manager in London
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 Enfield Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Enfield 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 Enfield 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.
