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- Tasks: Lead impactful assessments and interventions to support families and children in need.
- Company: Join a top-rated Family Centre dedicated to creating safer futures for families.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, part-time hours, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and compassionate setting.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a rewarding role.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification and experience in mentoring and multi-agency collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 38564 - 46390 £ per year.
Permanent, Part Time (29.6 hours per week)
£48,205 to £57,988 per annum (FTE) £38,564 to £46,390 per annum (actual salary based on 29.6 hours week)
Location: Colchester
Working Style: Fixed-base worker
Closing Date: 21st April 2026
This is a part time position (29.6 hours per week) (4 Days per week)
Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It's an exciting time to join us having received our 2nd Outstanding Ofsted rating in a row.
Essex Family Centres are dedicated to creating safer, stronger futures for children and their families. We deliver a wide range of specialist services - from in-depth assessments to impactful group interventions - all designed to help families overcome challenges and build lasting positive change.
Our work is varied, meaningful and rewarding. As part of our team, you'll contribute to:
- Specialist Assessment Work
- Assessments of known or suspected male sex offenders
- AIM assessments and interventions for children displaying harmful sexual behaviour
- Parenting capacity assessments for court
- ParentAssess work with parents who have learning needs
- Assessments exploring and understanding sibling relationships
- Group Work Interventions
- Support for women in protective roles where concerns exist around a partner's or ex-partner's sexual offending
- Programmes designed specifically for dads
- Healthy relationship and trauma-focused group work
Across all areas, we aim to equip parents with the insight, skills and confidence needed to improve their children's safety and wellbeing.
We're seeking a motivated, compassionate and resilient Senior Practitioner who is passionate about making a tangible difference. If you thrive in a supportive team, enjoy varied and specialist work, and are driven by positive outcomes for children, we'd love to hear from you.
The Experience You Will Bring:
- A recognised social work qualification i.e. Diploma, degree or master's in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent, with current Social Work England (SWE) registration.
- Evidence of continuing professional development, aligned to any relevant Professional Competency/Capability frameworks or Knowledge and Skills Statements.
- Significant experience of social work, demonstrating a comprehensive and up to date understanding of all relevant legislation, regulation and guidance.
- Experience of mentoring both Social Work students and newly qualified and experienced Social Work staff, being a subject matter expert in professional social work practice.
- Experience of chairing meetings involving clients, family members and/or carers and other multi-agency professionals.
- Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for children, young people and families.
- In depth understanding of delivery of value for money interventions balanced against need.
- Proven track record of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.
To read more about our business area, please visit: Children
Senior Pracitioner - Family Centre, Colchester, Colchester in Essex employer: Essex County Council
Contact Detail:
Essex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Pracitioner - Family Centre, Colchester, Colchester in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might know about opportunities at Essex Family Centres. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in family support services. Show us you’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about what’s happening in the sector!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around your experience with assessments and interventions. We want to see how you can make a difference in real-life scenarios.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our amazing team at the Mulberry Tree Family Centre.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Pracitioner - Family Centre, Colchester, Colchester in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Senior Practitioner. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t just list your qualifications; share specific examples of your past work that demonstrate your skills in social work. We want to see how you've made a difference in previous roles!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through! We’re looking for someone passionate and compassionate, so don’t be afraid to express why you care about making a positive impact on families and children.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest legislation and guidance related to social work. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by families in Colchester, as well as the services offered by the Mulberry Tree Family Centre. This will show your passion and commitment to making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous roles and how they relate to the responsibilities of a Senior Practitioner. Highlight your mentoring experience and any successful interventions you've led. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and how they align with the job requirements.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t just answer questions; engage in a conversation. Ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, the centre's approach to family support, and how they measure success. This shows that you're genuinely interested in the role and the organisation.
✨Demonstrate Your Values
As a Senior Practitioner, your values are crucial. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with the mission of the Essex Family Centres. Share your thoughts on creating safer futures for children and how you can contribute to that vision.