At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor teams to improve safeguarding practices for children and families.
- Company: Join a supportive local authority dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, welcome payment, relocation support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to continuous learning in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while growing your career in social work.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and experience in managing complex safeguarding cases required.
About The Role
Our Safeguarding and Support service is made up of six teams, which work out of three locality offices: South Locality (Ross-on-Wye), North Locality (Leominster) and Central Locality (Hereford). Each team comprises a Team Manager, Senior Practitioners, Social Workers, and a team of Family Support Workers. We are proud of our restorative approach to social work and emphasize collaboration, reflection, and guidance from senior managers.
The Role
We are seeking a dynamic and passionate Senior Practitioner to join our Safeguarding & Support teams, collaborating with partner agencies to make a lasting difference to children, families, and the wider community. You will support Herefordshire’s Restorative Journey of Improvement. As a Senior Practitioner, you will develop and support staff to enhance their knowledge, experience, and professional practice. Working closely with managers you will contribute to the growth of the team and ensure delivery of a high‑quality service for children, young people, and families.
Key responsibilities include:
- Coaching, mentoring, training and support to apprentices, Step Up students, and Family Support Workers.
- Leading practice development and training across the wider service.
- Supporting implementation of Practice Standards, Quality Assurance Framework, and professional values, policies and procedures.
This role is an exciting opportunity to have a genuine impact on the local authority and help improve the lives of children and young people across our communities.
About You
- Passionate about improving outcomes for children and families through high‑quality safeguarding practice, robust assessments, and early intervention.
- Experienced in managing complex safeguarding cases, demonstrating strong analytical, planning, and decision‑making skills.
- Committed to working collaboratively and restoratively with families, colleagues, and partner agencies.
- Resilient and reflective, with confidence and professional curiosity to manage challenging situations.
- Skilled mentor and role model, supporting colleagues through coaching, supervision, and leading good practice.
- Thrives in a supportive and fast‑paced environment, contributing to continuous learning and high professional standards.
- Registered with Social Work England and holds a recognised Social Work qualification (Degree in Social Work, DipSW, or CQSW).
We Offer
- Salary range: £40,777 - £45,091 per annum
- Market rate supplement: £5,000 per annum
- Welcome Payment: £10,000
- Retention payment: £2,000 - £4,000 depending on team.
- Relocation packages up to £10,000
- Professional development: protected time and budget for career development.
- Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Career progression: clear pathways to progress.
- Annual leave: 31 days per annum (pro rata) plus bank holidays; additional 10 days available to purchase.
- Flexible working: 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).
- Access to retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits, including savings, cash back and discounts.
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email: enquiries@hoopleresourcing.co.uk. If you are shortlisted for interview and require any reasonable adjustments, the Children & Young People Recruitment Team will support you.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre‑employment checks. Candidate selection includes consideration for Applicants with Disabilities (Disability Confident), Armed Forces Veterans or Reservists (Armed Forces Covenant) and Herefordshire care leavers (support for care leavers).
How to Apply
To apply, upload an up‑to‑date CV and complete the application form, demonstrating experience, skills and abilities for the role. Include reference to the job description and person specification. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the C&YP Recruitment Team for interview or assessment. Please note: this council is not currently able to offer overseas visa sponsorship for Social Worker roles in Children & Young People. Overseas candidates requiring sponsorship should not apply. Sponsorship is available for UK‑only candidates with minimum two years UK‑based experience.
EEO Information
Herefordshire Council is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.
Senior Practitioner, Safeguarding & Family Support employer: Hoople Ltd
Herefordshire Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the professional growth of its staff. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including a welcome payment and relocation package, and a commitment to continuous learning, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in the community. The council's focus on restorative practices and strong team dynamics ensures that every Senior Practitioner can thrive in their role while contributing to the improvement of safeguarding services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner, Safeguarding & Family Support
✨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 Senior Practitioner, Safeguarding & Family Support
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.
