At a Glance
- Tasks: Support high-quality, child-focused practice through training, coaching, and mentoring.
- Company: Join Halton Borough Council's vibrant Children's Social Care team.
- Benefits: Enjoy 34 days holiday, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and a passion for child welfare.
The predicted salary is between 34650 - 42350 £ per year.
Halton is a vibrant local authority with a rich history and heritage, featuring three iconic bridges that connect communities across the River Mersey. Located in Cheshire, Halton boasts excellent transport links between Liverpool and Manchester, as well as close proximity to both Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester Airports.
Our progressive community strategy aims to bring about meaningful, long-term improvements that enhance lives. It's an exciting time to join us as we develop new policies and transform the way people access services. We are immensely proud that when asked what's great about working for Halton, the most popular response from our workforce has been 'our colleagues'.
Halton's Social Work Academy is a dedicated team of skilled social work specialists, led by the Head of Workforce and Principal Social Worker. We provide a comprehensive programme of coaching, support and professional development for social workers and wider Children's Social Care and Early Help colleagues at every stage of their career. From supporting newly qualified social workers through their ASYE to developing experienced practitioners and managers, the Academy is committed to continuous learning, career progression and improving practice.
Working closely with colleagues across Children's Social Care and Early Help, the Academy helps to build confidence, develop expertise and ensure children, young people and families remain at the heart of everything we do.
We are looking for an experienced and motivated Advanced Practitioner to join the Social Work Academy in Halton Borough Council's Children's Social Care service and support the development of high-quality, child-focused practice across our workforce. You will provide expert safeguarding and practice support through the delivery of training, coaching, mentoring, consultation and workforce development, helping practitioners and managers build confidence, professional curiosity and evidence-informed practice.
Working within the Social Work Academy, you will lead learning and development programmes, contribute to practice standards and quality assurance, and support practitioners across the workforce. You will also help embed learning from audits, reviews, research and inspections to drive continuous improvement. You will work collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies, represent the service at professional forums and deputise for Practice Leaders when required.
Aside from working with a great team, our employees have access to a fantastic range of benefits, including:
- A generous annual holiday allowance starting at 34 days per year (including bank holidays), increasing with long service
- Membership of our defined benefit, salary-linked Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with generous employer contributions
- 3 x Salary Life Cover via Local Government Pension Scheme
- Investment in your personal development
- Free Car Parking at HBC sites
- Flexible working arrangements
- Extensive employee benefits platform including discounted shopping, car leasing, gym memberships, wellbeing hub and Employee Assistance Programme
We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. At Halton Borough Council we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce and a vital part of this is to encourage diversity in all respects. We are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and tailored to best suit the needs and strength of the individual. This includes making adjustments for people with a disability, neurodiversity or with long-term health conditions. If you require accommodations, please reach out during the recruitment process so that we can make this the best possible experience for you - resourcing@halton.gov.uk
Advanced Practitioner in Runcorn employer: Halton Borough Council
Halton Borough Council is an exceptional employer that offers a unique opportunity to lead transformative SEND reforms in a supportive and collaborative environment. With a focus on meaningful impact, employees can expect a culture of partnership working, professional growth, and the chance to see the direct results of their efforts in improving outcomes for children and families. Located in the heart of Cheshire, Halton provides a dynamic setting where your expertise will be valued and your contributions will make a real difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner in Runcorn
✨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 Halton Borough 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 Halton Borough 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 Halton Borough 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 Halton Borough 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 Advanced Practitioner in Runcorn
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 Halton Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Halton Borough 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 Halton Borough 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.
