At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support social work practice, ensuring high-quality care for children and families.
- Company: Join a supportive local authority with a focus on relational systemic practice.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, welcome and retention payments, flexible working, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Access to professional development opportunities and a strong team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work, full driving licence, and DBS clearance required.
The predicted salary is between 51356 - 51356 £ per year.
Reward and Support
- Between £48,226 - £51,356 per annum subject to experience
- £4,000 welcome payment*
- £2,000 retention payment*
- Up to £8,000 relocation package**
- Flexible and agile working opportunities
- 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years continuous service (pro rata for part-time staff)
- Option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part-time staff)
- Family friendly policies and benefits to help support you and your family
- Supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone
- An in-house Occupational Health service
- Employee discount scheme
- Links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network
- Career development and qualification opportunities
- Access to our Social Work Academy
- Cycle to Work scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
- Green Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
*Please note that all our welcome and retention payments are subject to terms and conditions as well as tax and national insurance deductions.
**Please note that our relocation policy is subject to terms and conditions.
About the team
Our teams consist of a Team Manager, an Advanced Practitioner, and four Social Workers. We have two teams who have one Family Support Worker each. All our teams have permanent, experienced managers in place. We are a friendly and welcoming service, with cohesive teams who work together to provide children and young people with the best possible care from their corporate parents. These dedicated social workers are responsible for all children who are looked after by Gloucestershire as a local authority after their care proceedings end, ensuring that their care plans and permanence are progressed in timely ways. All teams work in partnership with internal and external professionals as well as birth families. This includes Fostering, Every Story Matters, Children and families commissioning, Independent Reviewing Officers, Education and Health.
About the role
As an Advanced Practitioner, you will be at the heart of Gloucestershire’s practice model, holding an expert and influential role within your team. You will play a key part in supporting the development and delivery of high-quality, complex social work practice through joint working, professional advice and guidance, and quality assurance activity. You will model Gloucestershire’s relational systemic practice approach and actively promote our practice standards, supporting a strong and reflective practice culture across the team. Advanced Practitioners provide direction and constructive challenge to team members to improve the quality of practice. This includes activities such as quality assuring assessments, undertaking joint visits, and supporting reflective discussion on practice, helping staff to develop confidence, skills and professional judgement. The post requires a strong capacity to support and influence others. You will contribute to the professional oversight of work within the team, offering guidance, mentoring and support to social workers, and working closely with Team Managers to promote safe, effective and consistent practice. As part of the role, you may provide Newly Qualified Social Workers with monthly reflective supervision and undertake observations of practice, with overall responsibility for NQSW management remaining with Team Managers. You will also support and contribute to the learning and development of Social Work students within the team. You will jointly lead on a specific area of practice, offering a weekly consultation that practitioners across the service can book into, providing specialist support and helping to strengthen practice in this area. You will work closely with the Social Work Academy through regular forums and training activity, contributing to the development of standardised practice and bringing new learning opportunities back into your team. Advanced Practitioners hold a small number of cases, ensuring sufficient capacity to focus on professional leadership, practice development and support for colleagues.
About You
As well as your experience, there are some things we require of you to be successfully appointed to this post:
- A full driving licence and willingness to drive
- DBS clearance (Enhanced Adults and Children’s)
- To have completed your ASYE year (if you qualified after 2012)
How to apply
For an informal chat about this role, please contact Marisa.Knight@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
Advanced Practitioner in Gloucester employer: Healthcare Management
Gloucestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and positive working environment for Advanced Practitioners. With competitive salaries, generous leave entitlements, and access to a comprehensive Social Work Academy, employees are empowered to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. The council's commitment to a relational approach in social work, coupled with flexible working opportunities and a strong emphasis on team cohesion, makes it an ideal place for those seeking a rewarding career in social services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner in Gloucester
✨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 Healthcare Management.
✨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 Healthcare Management!
✨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 Healthcare Management, 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 Healthcare Management 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 Gloucester
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 Healthcare Management:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Healthcare Management! 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 Healthcare Management
✨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.
