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- Tasks: Support children's emotional health and wellbeing through targeted interventions and support plans.
- Company: Southend City Council, dedicated to improving lives of children in care.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and foster carers.
- Qualifications: Recognised Social Work qualification and strong experience in child protection and fostering.
- Other info: Hybrid working available with a supportive team environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Southend City Council are looking to appoint a 28hrs-per-week, permanent children's experienced Mental Health Senior Practitioner to join the Fostering Team. 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.
The role is focused on providing an efficient, cost-effective emotional health and wellbeing service to children looked after and their foster carers. It supports children's emotional, behavioural, and mental health needs through consultation, targeted intervention, and the development and review of support plans, particularly for young people with high SDQ scores.
The post provides professional consultation and guidance to colleagues across children's services, ensuring emerging needs and risks are identified and communicated. It plays a key role in developing foster carers' capacity through training, support forums, and trauma-informed practice, enabling them to meet the complex needs of children in their care.
The role works in close partnership with internal and external services to deliver placement-based emotional health support and promote stability, wellbeing, and improved outcomes for children and young people.
What you'll need to succeed:
- To be shortlisted for this position, you must be able to work in the UK, have a recognised Social Work qualification and have completed your ASYE.
- You must have strong statutory experience and a solid understanding of children looked after, child protection, and fostering regulations.
- You will need the ability to apply psychological and attachment-based theories to practice, particularly in relation to trauma, loss, and emotional wellbeing.
- The role requires proven experience of multidisciplinary working, including effective partnership with health services, CAMHS/EWMHS, and other professionals to ensure children receive appropriate emotional health and mental health support.
- You must be confident in leading on SDQ-informed planning, delivering therapeutic assessments and interventions, and providing specialist consultation and advice to social work colleagues.
What you'll get in return:
When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working 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, or call us now.
Senior Practitioner - Fostering Mental Health - 28hrs Perm in Chelmsford employer: Hays
Contact Detail:
Hays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Fostering Mental Health - 28hrs Perm in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the mental health and fostering sectors. Attend local events or webinars to meet people who can give you insights or even refer you to opportunities. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to mental health and fostering. Think about your experiences and how they relate to the role. We suggest doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your work in emotional health and wellbeing services. Include case studies or examples of your interventions. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals like you to join our team and make a difference in children’s lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner - Fostering Mental Health - 28hrs Perm in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Senior Practitioner. Highlight your experience in mental health, fostering, and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your background aligns with the needs of the Fostering Team!
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, don’t just list your skills—show us how you’ve used them! Provide examples of your multidisciplinary work and how you've supported children’s emotional health. This will help us see your practical experience in action.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and passion for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you receive updates directly from us. Plus, it’s super easy—just click 'apply now' and follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fostering regulations and mental health practices. Familiarise yourself with the latest research on trauma-informed care and attachment theories, as these will likely come up in conversation.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to lead SDQ-informed planning and deliver therapeutic assessments. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Engage with the Team
Since this role involves multidisciplinary working, be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with other professionals in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve contributed to a team environment to support children's emotional health.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the Fostering Team's current challenges or initiatives. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the organisation aligns with your values and career goals.
