At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children and families while managing complex cases and mentoring colleagues.
- 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; be on-site at least 2 days a week.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives with a compassionate and child-centred approach.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised Social Work qualification and 3+ years in Children's Frontline services.
Your new company
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.
Your new role
Southend-on-Sea City Council are looking to appoint a full-time, permanent Families First Advanced Practitioner. 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.
What you'll need to succeed
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.
What you'll get in return
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.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.
Families First Advanced Practitioner - Permanent 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 - Permanent in Southend-on-Sea
✨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 Hays Social Care.
✨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 Hays Social Care!
✨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 Hays Social Care, 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 Hays Social Care 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 Families First Advanced Practitioner - Permanent in Southend-on-Sea
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 Hays Social Care:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hays Social Care! 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 Hays Social Care
✨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.
