At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage complex cases and mentor less experienced colleagues to improve children's lives.
- Company: Join Southend City Council's Families First Service, where relationships matter.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; on-site at least 2 days a week.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised Social Work qualification and 3+ years experience in frontline services.
In Southend City Council's Families First Service, relationships matter, practice is purposeful, and children are truly at the centre of everything we do. Our Families First Service is driven by a clear and ambitious vision: to deliver effective, compassionate, and truly child-centred support that makes a lasting difference.
At the heart of our work is our practice model: Relational, Systemic and Decisive. This isn't just a framework, it's how we work every day. We believe that the best outcomes for children come from strong, meaningful relationships and a deep understanding of the surrounding environment. We work with families, building on their strengths, supporting change, and addressing challenges with clarity, confidence, and purpose. This is a place where practice is thoughtful, purposeful, and focused on what really matters: improving children's lives.
By joining Southend City Council as an Advanced Practitioner, you will be key to making our vision a reality for all children. You will be joining a service where we demonstrate with pride that:
- All paths lead back to the child.
- We spend time getting to know each child and their story.
- We do what we say we're going to do.
- We work with the whole family.
- No matter what, we aim to make things better.
You will provide support to work to the highest standard using our model of practice, Restorative Practice, to deliver the vision. You will access a professional social work development offer that has been designed by social workers, whatever stage you are at in your career. You will be given regular restorative supervision and separate supervision focusing on development and evidencing your SWE registration. We want everyone to take the lead in an area of interest for your team, and you will explore this with your line manager.
Southend-on-Sea City Council are looking to appoint a Families First Advanced Practitioner within a 6-month fixed term contract. As the newly appointed Advanced Practitioner, it will be your responsibility to skilfully manage complex cases with the most vulnerable children in the community and in Southend Council's care, whilst mentoring and supporting less experienced colleagues to grow and develop as practitioners.
Within this post, you will provide comprehensive professional casework to a caseload of children and young people, some of which will be complex and sensitive cases which require the highest of professional standards, and in-depth knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and practice methods, as well as providing efficient and cost-effective service to children, young people and their families, ensuring that the needs of the children and their parents/carers are professionally assessed, this is to ensure that the welfare of children and young people are safeguarded and protected within the legal and statutory obligations of Southend City Council.
You will be required to contribute to the overall performance of the team in order to meet service requirements, key performance targets and statutory requirements of social service legislation. There will also be a need to prepare and submit written reports as and when required, including statements and care plans for care proceedings in the Family Proceedings and County/High Courts. As well as this, you will proactively liaise with and work in partnership with other agencies, organisations, parents and carers.
You will take responsibility for some areas of work in the day-to-day running of the team, including supervision of identified team members and deputise for the Team Manager in all or some of their functions as required in their absence. Within this position, hybrid working opportunities are available. However, you are required to be on-site at the Civic Centre a minimum of 2 days a week. Duty is 1 week out of 6. You are required to be a driver and have use of a car.
To be successful in this position, you must have a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England and have completed your ASYE. You need to have 3+ years experience of working within Children’s Frontline services and have knowledge of child protection, looked after children and associated child in need; social work practice is essential, along with knowledge of methods of social work intervention.
When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits, including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working, salary car sacrifice scheme and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training.
If you’re interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.
Families First Advanced Practitioner - 6 months FTC in Southend-on-Sea employer: Hays Social Care
Join a well-established housing and support provider in Stratford Upon Avon, where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable adults experiencing homelessness. With a strong commitment to professional development, a supportive leadership team, and the opportunity to lead a dedicated team, this role offers both autonomy and the chance to shape service delivery for those in need. Enjoy a rewarding work culture that prioritises collaboration and continuous improvement, all while receiving a competitive salary and benefits package.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Families First Advanced Practitioner - 6 months FTC in Southend-on-Sea
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Hays Social Care, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Families First Advanced Practitioner - 6 months FTC in Southend-on-Sea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Hays Social Care. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Hays Social Care. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Social Care
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Hays Social Care.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Families First Advanced Practitioner - 6 months FTC role at Hays Social Care, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Hays Social Care that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
