Senior Practitioner - Children\'s Social Work Services
Senior Practitioner - Children\'s Social Work Services

Senior Practitioner - Children\'s Social Work Services

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support children and families, build relationships, and contribute to training and development.
  • Company: Join Kent County Council, a leading organisation with an outstanding Ofsted rating.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives while growing your career in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Must have a degree in social work and post-qualification experience with children and families.
  • Other info: A full UK driving license is required; reasonable adjustments for disabilities will be made.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Looking to develop your best practice? We are the right team, at the right time and in the right place.

About you

Professionally registered with a degree in social work CQSW, DipSW or equivalent, you will have post-qualification experience working with children and families. Your experience should include systemic practice, with a strong understanding of legislative and policy frameworks. Being a team player and eager to learn and develop as a practitioner are essential. You will build relationships with colleagues and with statutory, voluntary, and private sector agencies. If you share our vision of excellent social work practice, we want to hear from you.

Rewards

We are committed to supporting your professional development. As a qualified social worker, you will have opportunities to grow and make a difference. Our benefits include a supportive environment, flexible working arrangements, and a focus on health and well-being.

About us

The right team: We foster a culture of excellence and collaboration, empowering social workers to be creative and share ideas. Our managers provide regular, quality supervision, and our team members are approachable and eager to help. We promote knowledge sharing to improve outcomes for children. We support flexible working and provide guidance and training to help you succeed in a remote working environment.

The right time: Now is a great time to join us. We have invested in our services and careers for outstanding professionals committed to improving young lives in Kent.

The right place: With an Ofsted rating of outstanding, we offer a variety of work across a diverse county. Opportunities include working in different locations, secondments, and career development pathways. We emphasize professional growth, managing varied caseloads, and developing specialist links with partner agencies. You will act as a role model, contribute to training, and stay updated on child development, legislation, and best practices.

Transport

The role requires mobility across Kent and beyond, including transporting children and their belongings, sometimes in emergencies. A full UK driving license is required, but reasonable adjustments will be made for disabilities.

We offer a competitive salary, including a market premium of up to £5,000, and a supportive team environment with supervision, CPD activities, annual appraisals, and career progression. Benefits include generous leave, flexible working, relocation packages, and professional development opportunities.

This position requires an Enhanced Disclosure from the DBS and registration with the relevant professional body. It is a customer-facing role, and applicants must demonstrate sufficient spoken English/Welsh. Applications are reviewed weekly. Please do not re-apply if you were interviewed in the last six months.

Senior Practitioner - Children\'s Social Work Services employer: Kent County Council

Kent County Council is an exceptional employer for social workers, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises professional development and well-being. With flexible working arrangements, a focus on health, and opportunities for career progression across diverse locations in Kent, you will be empowered to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. Join us in a role where your expertise is valued, and contribute to our outstanding services recognised by Ofsted.
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Contact Detail:

Kent County Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Children\'s Social Work Services

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest legislation and policy frameworks relevant to children's social work. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in the field.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of Kent County Council. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the team culture and expectations, which can be beneficial during your application process.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of your systemic practice and how you've successfully built relationships with various agencies. This will showcase your practical experience and ability to collaborate effectively.

✨Tip Number 4

Highlight your eagerness to learn and develop as a practitioner during any discussions. Emphasising your commitment to professional growth aligns well with the values of Kent County Council and can set you apart from other candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner - Children\'s Social Work Services

Degree in Social Work (CQSW, DipSW or equivalent)
Post-qualification experience in children's social work
Systemic practice knowledge
Understanding of legislative and policy frameworks
Relationship building with colleagues and agencies
Teamwork and collaboration skills
Commitment to professional development
Knowledge of child development
Training and mentoring abilities
Adaptability to flexible working arrangements
Full UK driving license
Effective communication skills
Customer-facing service orientation
Ability to manage varied caseloads

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in children's social work. Emphasise your qualifications, such as your degree in social work and any post-qualification experience. Include specific examples of systemic practice and your understanding of legislative frameworks.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for social work and your commitment to improving the lives of children and families. Mention why you are interested in Kent County Council and how your values align with their vision of excellent social work practice.

Showcase Your Teamwork Skills: In your application, highlight your ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and various agencies. Provide examples of how you've built relationships in previous roles and contributed to team success.

Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to your experience and approach to social work. Be ready to discuss your understanding of child development, legislation, and best practices, as well as how you would handle challenging situations in the field.

How to prepare for a job interview at Kent County Council

✨Showcase Your Experience

Be prepared to discuss your post-qualification experience in detail. Highlight specific cases where you applied systemic practice and how you navigated legislative frameworks. This will demonstrate your expertise and understanding of the role.

✨Emphasise Teamwork

Since being a team player is essential, share examples of how you've collaborated with colleagues and external agencies. Discuss any successful partnerships you've built and how they contributed to positive outcomes for children and families.

✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Professional Development

Talk about any training or development opportunities you've pursued recently. Show that you're eager to learn and grow as a practitioner, which aligns with the organisation's focus on professional growth and knowledge sharing.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-life situations. Prepare scenarios where you had to make quick decisions or manage emergencies, especially those involving children. This will showcase your ability to handle the demands of the role.

Senior Practitioner - Children\'s Social Work Services
Kent County Council

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