Senior Practitioner – Children in Care – North Essex

Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK, serving a population of 2 million residents, and has a very successful track record of delivering transformational change. ECC anticipated change was needed in the public sector and has worked to deliver better quality at lower cost. We have an ambitious transformation agenda – one with the scope to reach every part of the council.

The Team Children in Care teams work with children and young people up to the age of 18 who are in care – they’re unable to live at home and are either placed with foster carers or live in residential homes. They work with children and young people to ensure their experiences in care is a good one and that the work undertaken prepares them for their transition into leaving care or return home to family.

The CIC Teams receive cases in proceedings after the first hearing, they visit children and young people in placement, develop permanency plans which include SGO and adoption, undertake life‑story work to enable a child to understand the reasons for being in care and also support children to return home to birth family. The teams are all committed to high quality work and engagement with all children in care to maximise young people’s potential. Like many other areas across Essex, they believe in working collaboratively with agencies including Health and Education to ensure that care plans support the outcomes for the child.

The Role The Senior Practitioner role provides leadership in the team, providing both support and mentoring to newly qualified or less experienced staff and deputising for the Team Manager when needed. They will support less experienced social workers at court, panel attendance and complex meetings and will have responsibility to lead in a practice area. There will be good opportunities for their own professional development and for being part of developing our team and service.

Job Purpose The successful candidate will be expected to bring skill and high standards of social work to their own caseload as well as providing modelling, advice and support to colleagues. They will be committed to systemic, relationship based social work, providing effective, innovative interventions and with the ability to build good partnerships, both with our external partners and within the organisation.

Key Accountabilities:

• Responsible for complex cases, seeking management support and accessing supervision as required.
• Responsible for providing professional guidance to colleagues and support and feedback to the team manager.
• Maintain an up to date record of activity on case files, produce reports, attend court and give verbal presentations as required; participate actively in case discussions, legal case discussions, Child Protection conferences, Statutory Reviews, etc.
• Represent ECC in court proceedings.
• Participate in quality assurance processes, for example undertaking case file audits and diagnostic exercises.
• Critically appraise the quality of own and others’ practice and challenge this within identified forums.
• Maintain a current and active interest and knowledge in legislation and policy changes, research findings and practice developments relevant to the development of interventions and support to service users.
• Responsible for own professional development including training and other development opportunities.
• Act as a source of expert advice and consultation for staff within Schools and Children & Families on professional issues relating to children in care proceedings and assessments of risk to the child or young person affected.
• Chair strategy meetings and team meetings around the placement/child meetings.
• Participate in and/or chair team meetings and deputise for the Team Manager in the day‑to‑day running and informal supervision of the team when necessary.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade that may, from time to time, be required.
• Undertake occasional evening work and be available for very occasional weekend activities as required by the Schools, Children & Families Directorate.

Skills and knowledge:

• Diploma or degree in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent and registration with Social Work England as a registered Social Worker.
• Qualified Practice Educator or the willingness to train as a Practice Educator.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• IT/Word Processing skills.
• Evidence of recent practice at an experienced social worker level, supported by comprehensive working knowledge and experience within the field of practice in Children Services.
• Preferably with experience of Child Protection work including section 47 investigations and assessments since the implementation of the Children’s Act 1989; considerable, recent experience of communicating with children of all ages and working in partnership with parents and/or carers.
• Experience in planning activities and programmes for children, young people and parents; experience of court work in relation to Child Care matters and an understanding of the legal process.
• Detailed knowledge of current legislation pertinent to Children in Care and Child Protection (e.g. CA1989, CJA1991), Guidance and Regulations.
• Knowledge and understanding of child development, relating theory and practice.

Why Essex? As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone’s Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car is essential.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.