At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support complex cases in mental health and learning disabilities, driving practice excellence.
- Company: Join Haringey Council, a vibrant community-focused organisation committed to social change.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days leave, hybrid working, health support, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team dedicated to continuous improvement and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in adult mental health and multi-agency collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 52194 - 55323 £ per year.
Contract Terms
- Starting salary: PO5 (£52,194 – £55,323)
- Work location: 48 Station Road, Wood Green, London, N22 7TY
- Hours per week: 36 per week
- Contract type: Permanent
- Closing date: Sunday, 30th August 2026 at 23:59
- Expected interview date: W/c 7th September 2026
About Haringey
Haringey is a fantastic place to live and work – the world in one borough. A place brimming with creativity, personality, radicalism, and community. It is a place where we stand up for each other. A place that is proudly distinctive. We’ll be celebrating all this and more as the “rebel borough” when we are the 2027 London Borough of Culture.
Our history champions change-makers and everyday rebels; revelling in our differences, battling discrimination, championing equality, and doing things our own way. Haringey’s people are a huge asset, with knowledge, expertise, and passion. Our staff members embody our organisational values: Caring, Creative, Courageous, Collaborative and Community-focused. These values keep us looking forward, ambitious for the future, and continuously striving to do our very best for all of our residents.
About The Role
We are looking for an experienced and passionate Senior Practitioner to join our Adults Social Services team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in driving practice excellence, supporting service improvement and helping prepare the service for regulatory inspection. Working closely with the Team Managers and Service Manager, you will champion strengths-based, person-centred practice across Adult Social Care, lead quality assurance initiatives and contribute to the development of policies, procedures and workforce learning programmes.
You will provide professional leadership for complex cases within the Community Rehabilitation and Forensic Team, leading on assessment, care planning, risk management, safeguarding, and statutory responsibilities, while working closely with partner agencies to support recovery, independence, and public safety. You will also take a lead role in supporting newly qualified social workers and developing apprenticeship pathways to strengthen the future workforce.
About The Team
Our Adults, Health and Communities Directorate is committed to helping residents achieve the best possible outcomes through innovative, strengths-based social work practice. You will work alongside Principal Social Workers, Heads of Service, Team Managers, Workforce Development colleagues and social care practitioners across Adult Services. The team is focused on continuous improvement, collaboration and professional development, creating an environment where learning, quality assurance and best practice are at the heart of everything we do. The Community Rehabilitation and Forensic Team supports adults with complex mental health needs and forensic histories to live safely and independently in the community. The team carries out assessments, care planning, reviews, safeguarding, and risk management, working closely with health services, probation, housing providers, police, and other partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes for residents.
About You
You will be a qualified Social Worker (Degree, DipSW, or equivalent) registered with Social Work England, with significant post-qualifying experience in adult mental health, forensic services, or community rehabilitation. You will have a strong knowledge of relevant legislation, safeguarding, and risk management, as well as experience of managing complex cases within multi-agency settings. You will have a sound understanding of the legislative and statutory frameworks that underpin Adult Social Care, experience of supporting and developing practitioners, and the confidence to lead discussions, deliver workshops, and influence practice improvement across services. Essential to success in this role is your ability to build effective relationships, identify opportunities for service improvement, communicate clearly with a range of stakeholders, produce high-quality reports, and manage competing priorities effectively. You will also be skilled in using IT systems and data responsibly and committed to delivering high standards of professional practice and positive outcomes for adults.
Working for Haringey
At Haringey Council we are committed to creating a workplace culture where all our people feel valued, included, and able to be their best at work, and we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce so welcome applications from all ethnicities and communities so that we continue to make a difference to our residents and community.
Our benefits package includes:
- a leave entitlement of 31 days + bank holidays
- potential hybrid working opportunities
- health and wellbeing support
- a generous local government pension scheme
- and a range of discount schemes across leisure and culture that provide both financial and money-saving discounts
Senior Practitioner – Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Teams employer: Haringey Council
Haringey Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises community engagement and employee well-being. With generous leave, health support, and opportunities for hybrid working, employees can enjoy a balanced work-life dynamic while contributing to the safety and cleanliness of their neighbourhoods in vibrant Wood Green, London. The council also fosters professional growth, ensuring that team members can develop their skills and advance within the organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner – Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Teams
✨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 Haringey 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 Haringey 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 Haringey 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 Haringey 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 Senior Practitioner – Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Teams
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 Haringey Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Haringey 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 Haringey 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.
