At a Glance
- Tasks: Support disabled children and families, delivering targeted assistance for better outcomes.
- Company: Join a dedicated Disabled Children’s Service within a supportive local authority.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team focused on empowerment and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and their families.
- Qualifications: Experience with children, full driving licence, and DBS clearance required.
The predicted salary is between 36363 - 36363 £ per year.
We are currently recruiting for 3 permanent Practitioners to join our dedicated Disabled Children’s Service.
Reward and Support
- Between £33,143 – £36,363 per annum subject to experience
- Flexible and agile working opportunities
- 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years continuous service (pro rata for part-time staff)
- Option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part-time staff)
- Family friendly policies and benefits to help support you and your family
- Supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone
- An in-house Occupational Health service
- Employee discount scheme
- Links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network
- Career development and qualification opportunities
- Access to our Social Work Academy
- Cycle to Work scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
- Green Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
Right child, right support, right time, every time
In our recent inspection in June 2025, our Children’s Services have been officially judged as 'Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ elements. Ofsted also said ‘Leaders have set out a clear vision for delivering success for children, by modelling values and creating a culture where the workforce, children and families feel valued and heard; risk is managed confidently with bottom lines clearly set out.’ This marks an important step in our journey to improve outcomes for our children and young people, and we remain focused on our mission: to continue building on this success and ensure that every child and young person in our county has the opportunity to thrive.
Gloucestershire offers a range of opportunities to develop your career, supported by a phenomenal Social Work Academy offer, a developing systemic practice methodology, an ambitious leadership team and an award-winning workforce. We are a local authority adopting, and training all colleagues in, systemic social work practice. If you would like to be part of an authority that takes a relational approach to working with families and focuses on what needs to change in the system around a child and family to enable children to thrive, then consider a role with GCC.
About the team
The Disabled Children’s Service supports children and young people who are aged 0-18 years old with significant needs arising from their disability. The team aims to ensure that disabled children and their families have access to a needs-led service that promotes resilience, co-production and improves outcomes. To do this, the team will work with partners to make sure that every child has an accurate assessment of need; with a plan that sets out how support will be delivered, with the aim to improve outcomes.
About the role
Working as a Children’s Practitioner is an exciting, interesting, and rewarding role. Your aim will be to deliver targeted support to vulnerable children and their families to achieve better outcomes and reduce the need for higher level support and long-term demand for services. You will undertake early help assessments and co-ordinate and implement short break support packages using a systemic approach. By building supportive and empowering relationships with children and young people, parents, and carers through creative and innovative strategies, in line with partner agencies and organisations. You will benefit from our commitment to delivering the best possible service to children and families, and the chance to join an experienced and dynamic team. You will be joining an authority with a strong set of values that underpins the work we do: Accountability, Empowerment, Excellence, Integrity and Respect.
About You
As well as your experience, there are some things we require of you to be successfully appointed to this post:
- A full driving licence and willingness to drive
- DBS clearance (Enhanced Adults and Children’s)
Disabled Children Practitioner in Gloucester employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Join our dedicated Disabled Children’s Service in Gloucestershire, where we prioritise a supportive and positive work environment that values your contributions. With competitive salaries, flexible working options, and a strong commitment to employee development through our Social Work Academy, we empower you to grow in your career while making a meaningful impact on the lives of disabled children and their families. Our recent 'Good' Ofsted rating reflects our commitment to excellence and the collaborative culture we foster, ensuring every team member feels valued and heard.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Disabled Children Practitioner in Gloucester
✨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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council.
✨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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council!
✨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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council, 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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council 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 Disabled Children Practitioner in Gloucester
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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kirklees Metropolitan Council! 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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨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.
