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- Tasks: Lead and support vulnerable children and families through complex social work cases.
- Company: Hertfordshire County Council, dedicated to innovative social work practices.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, welcome payment, additional leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with at least 2 years of post-qualification experience.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 41000 - 46000 £ per year.
Job Number HCC26072 Location Hertfordshire Directorate Childrens Services Salary Range £41,511 pa progressing to £45,718 pa Contract Type Permanent Full Time/Part Time Full Time
Job Title: Qualified Children\’s Senior Practitioner
Starting Salary: £41,511 per annum + £6,243 pa market enhanced payment progressing to £45,718 per annum + £6,084 pa market enhanced payment PLUS £1k one off welcome payment*
Hours: 37
Location: Base locations in Stevenage and Apsley. Each team has a geographic area they cover which will require regular access to a vehicle for travel to meetings.
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Childrens Services
About the service
At Hertfordshire County Council, we believe that the children and young people in our care deserve the best. This means ensuring the social workers who work alongside them are trained, supported, and highly motivated.
As an innovative authority, we are committed to developing motivational social work practice. You will work at the forefront of best practice to deliver first-class support to vulnerable children and families, managing complex and diverse caseloads.
By changing our approach to families, we are managing to keep more children at home safely with their families. With a dedicated Diversity & Inclusion strategy, we promote diversity and inclusion across our services and workforce.
We will offer a stimulating working environment, regular supervision meetings, and training opportunities to help you reach your full potential with the assistance of our specialist L&D teams.
About the role
Each Team consists of a Team Manager, Consultant Social Worker(s), Senior Practitioners, Social Workers, Children\’s Practitioners, and Family Practitioners.
We are looking for experienced Senior Practitioners to join one of the following teams:
- Family Safeguarding
- 0-25 Disability Service
- Assessment (1 year secondment/FTC)
- Specialist Adolescent Service Hertfordshire (SASH)
As a Senior Practitioner, you will have highly developed specialist knowledge of Social Work practice. Your advanced expertise will help you lead on complex cases within the department.
This is a varied and challenging role where you will share responsibility for leading less experienced staff and play a key role in researching and sharing up-to-date social work practice.
About you
It is essential that all Senior Practitioners who apply have the following:
- Qualified and Social Work England Registered
- At least 2 years post ASYE experience
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Knowledge of legislation, guidance, policy, and procedures
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft IT packages
- Full UK Driving Licence
- Regular access to a vehicle
In addition, below outlines team-specific essential criteria:
Family Safeguarding:
- Significant senior level frontline experience in a safeguarding team.
- Recent experience of case work in Assessments, Child Protection, Children Looked After, and Care Proceedings.
- In-depth knowledge of relevant childcare legislation.
0-25 Disability Service:
- Ability to complete robust assessments & assess risk.
- Ability to work in a relationship-based way.
- Experience of care planning, assessments, and reviews.
- Track record of working alongside challenging families.
Assessment:
- Significant experience in assessing children’s needs and undertaking statutory Child Protection enquiries.
SASH:
- In-depth knowledge of child development and adolescence, social, emotional, behavioural, and mental health needs.
- Demonstrable awareness of risk factors associated with offending, mental health, neurodiversity, exploitation, poverty, and social disadvantage.
- Experience of managing high-risk child protection, children in need, and complex children.
- Experience in court work and detailed report writing.
- Experience in managing a high and complex workload.
- Experience in supervising is desirable.
This job role is within the Health and Social Care, level 11 job profile.
Recruitment timeline
We review all applications regularly with interviews arranged on an ad hoc basis – please check your emails for updates.
Additional Benefits for Social Work roles include:
- Monthly Market Enhanced Payment
- One off £1k Welcome Payment* (terms & conditions apply)
- Lease Car Scheme
- Up to £6 relocation expenses
- 5 Days additional annual leave entitlement
- SWE Registration Fee paid
How to apply
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps) and includes any training/qualifications. Include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert/job profile to allow the panel to fully recognize your skills and abilities.
Secondment
This position is open to secondments. If you work for HCC or any other Local Authority and wish to be considered for a Secondment contract, please complete the Secondment Form as part of your application. If you do not, your application will be considered as a Fixed Term Contract only.
Additional information
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Safeguarding
This role requires a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car.
English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for this post.
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Qualified Childrens Senior Practitioners - Joint Police Team employer: Hertfordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Hertfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Qualified Childrens Senior Practitioners - Joint Police Team
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might know about openings in the Joint Police Team. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of current legislation and best practices in social work. We want you to shine when discussing your experience and how it aligns with the role of a Senior Practitioner.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! During interviews, be ready to share specific examples of your past work, especially around safeguarding and complex case management. This will help the panel see how you can contribute to their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the latest updates and tips there to help you along the way.
We think you need these skills to ace Qualified Childrens Senior Practitioners - Joint Police Team
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience and skills that match the job description. Use keywords from the advert to show we’re on the same page about what you bring to the table.
Showcase Your Experience: When writing your application, don’t just list your previous roles. Share specific examples of how you've demonstrated the essential criteria, especially in safeguarding or working with challenging families. We want to see your impact!
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we love a friendly tone, remember to keep it professional. Let your personality shine through, but ensure your application reflects your serious commitment to social work and the values we uphold at Hertfordshire County Council.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for all the fantastic benefits we offer. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of relevant childcare legislation and social work practices. Familiarise yourself with the specific team you're applying to, whether it's Family Safeguarding or the 0-25 Disability Service. This will show that you're not just interested in the role, but that you understand the complexities involved.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples from your past work that highlight your experience in managing complex cases and working with challenging families. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easier for the interviewers to see how your skills align with their needs.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to do a mock interview with a friend to get comfortable discussing your experiences and qualifications.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how they measure success in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you determine if it's the right fit for you.