At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in need and ensure high-quality social work oversight.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, dedicated to improving family lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, permanent contract, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with a focus on career growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and support families to thrive.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and experience in children's social work required.
The predicted salary is between 46110 - 50079 € per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: Hinckley Family Hub, Granville Road, Hinckley, LE10 0PP
Salary: £46,110 - £50,079 (inclusive of market premia at £2,250) per annum (pro-rata for part-time) (Pay award pending)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 17th May 2026
Interview Date(s): 26th May 2026
About the Role:
Family Help is Leicestershire’s Child in Need service, where both Social Workers and Keyworkers (AQWs) engage, support and encourage families to make positive changes in their lives. Family Help focuses on strong and consistent professional relationships, responding more quickly and intensively to families so that they get the right help at the right time. Building on workers’ capacity to listen, understand and respond to trauma, and supporting children and families to build strength, resilience, confidence and parenting capacity.
By unlocking the potential of family and community networks, we aim to support more children to stay safely at home, and when this is not possible, to remain with wider family and friends. By supporting staff through regular reflective supervision, ensuring positive training and career pathways, staff embrace this more intensive way of working and remain in post longer, providing our families with the professional consistency they need, want and deserve.
As part of our Family Help Service, we have a Senior Social Work Oversight Practitioner vacancy, who will support the Team Manager in ensuring that a high-quality Child in Need service is provided for children and their families. We are currently developing our approaches in Leicestershire to implement the national Family First Partnership Programme reforms, so this role may be subject to change and review.
An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post. For information on our approach to the recruitment of ex-offenders, please see our policy statement.
We want a creative and supportive worker who will provide Social Work oversight on Child in Need cases allocated to alternatively qualified staff (Keyworkers), to support progress of plans and intervention to families in their homes. To ensure that Child in Need meetings are child focused, that children’s voice is central, and that their participation and contribution is maximised, along with that of their parents and carers, so that we achieve effective plans and best sustainable outcomes. This involves direct Social Work practice, when cases held by Keyworkers escape or are subjects of private law processes – this is to avoid having additional Social Workers involved with families.
Qualifications:
- Degree in Social Work approved by Social Work England (SWE) or equivalent social work qualification e.g. Certificate of Qualification in Social Work or Diploma in Social Work.
- The worker must also be registered with Social Work England.
- Experienced level 3 social worker in a children’s social work team.
- Experience of working in access/duty/intake; children in need, child protection, care proceedings, safeguarding, and looked-after children work.
- Experience of undertaking Section 47 enquiries.
- Experience of chairing complex meetings and ensuring child voice is heard, and their participation and contribution is maximised, along with that of their parents/carers.
- Experience of using performance indicators to monitor and improve performance.
- Experience of multi-agency working, of challenging partners, of holding them to account, and of encouraging action.
We also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Senior Social Work Oversight Practitioner employer: Golearnleicestershire
Leicestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and professional development of its staff. With a focus on reflective supervision and career pathways, employees are empowered to make meaningful impacts in the lives of families within the community. Located in Hinckley, the Family Hub provides a collaborative environment where social workers can thrive while contributing to vital child welfare initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Work Oversight Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Leicestershire County Council and their Family Help service. Understanding their values and approach will help you tailor your responses during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips about the interview process and what it’s really like to work there, which can give you an edge over other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you would handle specific scenarios related to child protection and family support. Practising your answers will help you feel more confident and articulate during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Work Oversight Practitioner
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 Social Work Oversight 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 in children’s social work. We want to see how you've made a difference in similar roles, especially in areas like child protection and multi-agency working.
Highlight Your Values:We’re all about delivering accessible and inclusive services. Make sure to express your commitment to these values in your application. Share any experiences that demonstrate your dedication to supporting families and children.
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets to us without a hitch, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details and can consider you for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Golearnleicestershire
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Senior Social Work Oversight Practitioner. Familiarise yourself with the Family Help service and its focus on child welfare, trauma-informed care, and community support. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of the role during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in social work, especially in areas like child protection and multi-agency collaboration. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed complex cases and ensured that children's voices are heard in meetings.
✨Emphasise Your Values
Leicestershire County Council is looking for candidates who align with their values of inclusivity and accessibility. Think about how your personal values match theirs and be prepared to articulate this during the interview. It’s all about showing that you’re not just qualified, but also a good cultural fit.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the Family Help service and the upcoming changes with the Family First Partnership Programme. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you too.
