At a Glance
- Tasks: Coach and mentor social workers while leading practice development in a supportive environment.
- Company: Join our Social Care Academy, dedicated to safeguarding children and supporting families.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and a £10,000 welcome payment.
- Other info: Flexible working options and clear pathways for career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your career in social care.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered social worker with experience in practice education.
The predicted salary is between 46142 - 50269 £ per year.
We have a vacancy for an Advanced Practitioner to join our Social Care Academy. This is an exciting opportunity to join our developing team and contribute to creating a safe and supportive, yet challenging, learning environment for Herefordshire’s workforce. You will be supported by an established team with a strong commitment to relationship-based practice, flexible working and professional development.
As an Advanced Practitioner in the Social Care Academy, you will provide coaching, mentoring, training and support to social workers and alternatively qualified practitioners in addition to providing practice educator support to apprentices, student social workers, newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) and practice educators in training. You will lead on areas of practice development and training within the wider service, and support with the implementation of our practice standards, quality assurance framework, professional values, policies and procedures.
We will support you to develop areas of expertise via training, learning from latest research and good practice, keeping apprised of current statutory guidance and legislation, and hearing from the experiences and feedback of children and families. You will be expected to share your learning experience with other practitioners and managers through such methods as in person or virtual training sessions, e‑learning modules, videos, podcasts, or any new ideas you create or have experienced.
We are looking for Social Workers who are:
- Passionate about safeguarding children and supporting families
- Skilled in assessment, planning, and delivering interventions
- Committed to working collaboratively, inclusively, and creatively
- Resilient, reflective, and confident in making difficult decisions
- Able to work effectively within a supportive team environment
- Registered with Social Work England and hold a recognised Social Work qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW)
- Have experience in Practice Education and hold Practice Educator Awards.
We offer a competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:
- Salary range of £46,142 - £50,269 (pro rata) per annum
- Market rate supplement: £5,000 (pro rata) per annum
- Welcome Payment: £10,000
- Retention payment: £2,000 - £4,000 depending on team
- Relocation packages: support of up to £10,000
- Professional development: protected time and budget to develop yourself and your career
- Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Career progression: clear pathways to progress
- Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period.
- Flexible working: including the potential for job‑sharing, part‑time hours and agile working.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
- Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
- Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email enquiries@hoopleresourcing.co.uk. If you’re shortlisted for interview and require any reasonable adjustments, our Children & Young People Recruitment Team will be happy to support you.
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre‑employment checks.
Sponsorship Available (UK Only): We can provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for successful candidates who are already living in the UK and have a minimum of two years’ UK‑based experience in the relevant team or discipline.
Advanced Practitioner – Social Care Academy in Hereford employer: Hoople Ltd
Join our Social Care Academy as an Advanced Practitioner and be part of a dynamic team dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment for Herefordshire’s workforce. We offer competitive salaries, generous benefits including a welcome payment and relocation support, and a strong commitment to professional development with clear pathways for career progression. Our flexible working options and inclusive culture ensure that you can thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner – Social Care Academy in Hereford
✨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 Hoople Ltd.
✨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 Hoople Ltd!
✨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 Hoople Ltd, 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 Hoople Ltd 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 – Social Care Academy in Hereford
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 Hoople Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hoople Ltd! 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 Hoople Ltd
✨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.