At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor a team while managing complex cases for children in care.
- Company: Essex County Council, committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Flexible working, support for carers, and various employee perks.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people in care.
- Qualifications: Social work degree, registration with Social Work England, and relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 57988 - 57988 £ per year.
- Senior Practitioner – Children in Care – North Essex
- Permanent, Full Time
- Working Style: Community based worker
- The Team
Children in Care teams work with children and young people up to the age of 18 who are in care, either placed with foster carers or living in residential homes.
The teams develop permanency plans, such as SGO and adoption, undertake life‑story work, and support children to return home or transition out of care.
They work collaboratively with agencies including Health and Education to maximise each child’s potential.
The Role
The Senior Practitioner provides leadership within the team, supporting and mentoring less experienced staff and deputising for the Team Manager when needed.
The role involves managing complex cases, providing professional guidance, supervising colleagues, and contributing to service development.
Job Purpose
To manage a high‑quality caseload of social work, model good practice, deliver innovative interventions, and build partnerships to support children in care and their families.
- Key Accountabilities
- Take responsibility for complex cases, seeking management support and accessing supervision as required.
- Provide professional guidance to colleagues and give feedback to the team manager.
- Maintain accurate record of activity on case files, produce reports, attend court, and give verbal presentations.
- Represent ECC in court proceedings and participate in child protection conferences, statutory reviews, and other legal discussions.
- Participate actively in case discussions, quality assurance processes, case file audits and diagnostic exercises.
- Critically appraise own and others’ practice and challenge it in identified forums.
- Maintain current knowledge of legislation, policy changes, research findings and practice developments.
- Engage in own professional development, including training and other opportunities.
- Act as a source of expert advice and consultation for staff within Schools, Children & Families on professional issues relating to children in care proceedings and risk assessments.
- Chair strategy meetings, placement and child meetings, and team meetings, deputising for the Team Manager when necessary.
- Support the day‑to‑day running and informal supervision of the team.
- Perform any other duties commensurate with the grade that may arise.
- Occasionally undertake evening work and be available for rare weekend activities.
Skills and Knowledge
- Diploma or degree in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent with registration with Social Work England as a registered Social Worker.
- Qualified Practice Educator or willingness to train as a Practice Educator.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- IT and word‑processing skills.
- Recent practice at an experienced social worker level with comprehensive working knowledge within Children Services.
- Experience in Child Protection work, including section 47 investigations and assessments, and communication with children, parents and carers.
- Planning activities and programmes for children, young people and parents.
- Court work experience in relation to Child Care matters and an understanding of the legal process.
- Detailed knowledge of current legislation relevant to Children in Care and Child Protection (e. g., CA1989, CJA1991), guidance and regulations.
- Knowledge and understanding of child development, relating theory and practice.
- Additional Requirements
- Mobile across a wide operational area of Essex and beyond, with the ability to travel and transport service users.
- Driving licence and access to a car are essential.
- DBS check required; must register with the DBS update service and maintain up‑to‑date certificate.
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essex County Council is committed to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements, veterans, and care leavers, and is a Disability Confident Leader.
The Council also values diversity and aims to attract a broad and inclusive workforce.
Benefits
Flexible working arrangements, support for unpaid carers, and a range of employee benefits.
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Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner – Children in Care – North Essex
✨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 Senior Practitioner – Children in Care – North Essex
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.
