At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding efforts and support teams to improve outcomes for children and families.
- Company: Join a passionate team at Herefordshire Council dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, £10,000 welcome payment, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community while developing your career in social work.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and experience in managing complex safeguarding cases required.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive environment with clear pathways for career progression.
The predicted salary is between 45777 - 50091 £ per year.
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. Locality working gives you the opportunity to stay connected, meet new colleagues, and easily access support. We are proud of our restorative approach to social work – a way of working that is firmly embedded in our team culture and management style. Collaboration and reflection are at the heart of how we practice; senior managers are always available for guidance and support, especially when navigating complex cases.
The Role
We are seeking a dynamic and passionate Senior Practitioner to join us on our journey of improvement. Working within our Safeguarding & Support Teams, you will collaborate with partner agencies to make a real and lasting difference to children, families, and the wider community. As a Senior Practitioner, you will play a key role in developing and supporting our staff to enhance their knowledge, experience, and professional practice. Working closely with managers, you will contribute to the ongoing growth of the team and help ensure the delivery of a high-quality service for children, young people, and families. In this role you will provide coaching, mentoring, training, and support to apprentices, Step Up students, and Family Support Workers. You will also lead on areas of practice development and training across the wider service, supporting the implementation of our Practice Standards, Quality Assurance Framework, and professional values, policies, and procedures.
About You
- Passionate about improving outcomes for children and families through high-quality safeguarding practice, robust assessments, and effective early intervention.
- Experienced in managing complex safeguarding cases, demonstrating strong analytical, planning, and decision-making skills to ensure each child’s needs are clearly understood and effectively met.
- Committed to working collaboratively and restoratively with families, colleagues, and partner agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes and promote positive change.
- Resilient and reflective, with the confidence and professional curiosity needed to manage challenging situations and provide clear, evidence-based guidance to others.
- A skilled mentor and role model, supporting and developing colleagues through coaching, supervision, and leading areas of good practice within the team.
- Thrives in a supportive and fast-paced environment, contributing to a culture of continuous learning, improvement, and high professional standards.
- Registered with Social Work England and holding a recognised Social Work qualification (Degree in Social Work, DipSW, or CQSW).
We Offer
- A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme.
- Salary range of £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: 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.
- 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).
- Access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits.
Why Choose Us?
Herefordshire is a beautiful, historic county on the Welsh border, one of England’s most rural and unspoilt areas, with vibrant market towns and a strong sense of community. Our priority is clear: to keep children safe and give them the best start in life. We do this through passionate, dedicated professionals who build strong relationships with children, families, and partners to make a lasting difference. It’s an exciting time to join us. We’re investing in our people and our relational practice approach, working alongside our improvement partner, Leeds City Council. You’ll be supported by experienced managers, continuous professional development, and a genuine team ethos that values collaboration and care. If you’re committed to helping children and young people thrive, come and join the journey in Herefordshire – where your work truly matters.
Reasonable Adjustments
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.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
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. 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.
Children\'s Senior Practitioner Safeguarding & Support in Hereford employer: Hoople
Contact Detail:
Hoople Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Senior Practitioner Safeguarding & Support in Hereford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, check out our social media and website to see what we're all about. Understanding our culture and values will help you connect with us during the chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when discussing your experience and how it aligns with our mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During the interview, share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles. We love hearing about your experiences and how they relate to improving outcomes for children and families.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows you're genuinely interested and keeps you fresh in our minds as we make our decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Senior Practitioner Safeguarding & Support in Hereford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for safeguarding and supporting children shine through. Use examples from your experience that highlight your commitment to improving outcomes for families and children.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Senior Practitioner. Highlight your experience with complex safeguarding cases and your skills in mentoring and coaching others, as these are key aspects of the job.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and concise. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. This will help us easily see how your skills and experiences align with what we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoople
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in safeguarding practices and the specific challenges faced by children and families. Brush up on relevant legislation and frameworks, as this will show your commitment to high-quality practice.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your passion for improving outcomes for children and families shine through. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your dedication to making a difference in their lives.
✨Be Ready to Reflect
Expect questions that require you to reflect on past experiences, especially those involving complex cases. Prepare examples that demonstrate your analytical skills and how you’ve navigated challenging situations effectively.
✨Highlight Your Mentoring Skills
As a Senior Practitioner, you’ll be expected to mentor others. Be prepared to discuss your approach to coaching and supporting colleagues, and share specific examples of how you’ve helped others develop their skills.