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- Tasks: Lead practice development in Children's Social Care, promoting excellence and supporting social work students.
- Company: Join Lambeth Council, a forward-thinking organization with bold ambitions for community improvement.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, up to 35 days leave, hybrid working, and discounts at local gyms and restaurants.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving change and excellence in social care within a vibrant community.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Social Worker with experience in supporting social work students and influencing practice.
- Other info: We guarantee interviews for disabled candidates meeting minimum criteria; application process is anonymized.
The predicted salary is between 52674 - 55710 £ per year.
Practice Development Lead – Children’s Social Care
PO5: £52,674 pa rising in annual increments to £55,710 pa incl. LW
Permanent / Full Time / Hybrid Working
An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Academy due to the retirement of the current post holder; we are seeking a Practice Development Lead on a permanent basis. This is a great opportunity to support promoting and embedding excellent practice in Lambeth Children’s Social Care and key partners across the Directorate. To complement the current skills mix within the Academy, we would particularly like to hear from applicants with corporate parenting experience.
About Us:
It is an exciting time to join Lambeth Council, we have bold ambitions for the future of Lambeth’s communities and residents through our Lambeth 2030 Plan ‘Our Future, Our Lambeth.’ To deliver on these ambitions, we have embarked on our transformational One Lambeth Programme ensuring we are ‘connected by purpose’ in everything we do to deliver excellence. We are proud to have recently developed a refreshed set of One Lambeth Values and Behaviours that were developed for staff by staff: Equity, Ambition, Kindness, and Accountability.
About the Borough:
Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community of over 317,600 residents. Stretching from the dynamic neighbourhood of Streatham in the South to the iconic landmarks of Waterloo in the North, we are proud to be the 9th largest borough in London. Our diversity is our strength, with more than 130 languages spoken, making Lambeth the home of the Windrush generation, London’s largest LGBTQ+ community, and a thriving Portuguese-speaking community.
With exceptional schools, lush green spaces including Brockwell Park, cultural gems like the Black Cultural Archives, and world-renowned institutions such as St Thomas’s Hospital, Lambeth offers an enriching and dynamic environment.
Why Lambeth:
- Fantastic, modern working environment in the award-winning Lambeth Town Hall and Civic Centre buildings
- Competitive Salaries
- Up to 35 days annual leave, dependent upon continuous service
- 5 Minutes from London Underground and excellent transport links into the centre of London
- Hybrid/Flexible working
- Cycle to Work Scheme (including City Bike Hire scheme)
- Attractive Local Government Pension Scheme
- Discounts at local restaurants
- Discount at our Active Lambeth Gyms
About you:
A successful social work practitioner, you have demonstrable recent experience and success in supporting the learning of social work students, ASYEs etc. and experience of influencing practice. Signs of Safety is Lambeth’s Practice Framework and preferably you will have experience of supporting practitioners or students to use Signs of Safety approaches although this is not essential.
About the role:
PDLs are part of our successful Lambeth Social Care Academy and report to the Head of Academy/Principal Social Worker and act as agents of change as part of Lambeth’s journey to excellence. You will be joining a wider dynamic Quality Assurance service which serves as an engine for raising standards across all areas of planning for children.
Please note to have your application processed you must be currently registered as a Social Worker with Social Work England.
For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification in the hyperlink below:
Job Description & Person Specification
Think you could fit the bill?
If you would like to have an informal discussion, please feel free to contact: Rina Wood, Principal Social Worker on 07708 081 779.
We are a Stonewall diversity champion, a Living Wage Employer, and we guarantee to interview all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role. For a full list of our accreditations, please click here .
Successful candidates will be asked to apply for an Enhanced Certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Further information about the DBS can be found at .
In addition, you will also be required to undertake a Cifas check from the Fraud Prevention organisation. Further information can be found here .
Please note we operate an anonymised application process. When uploading your Supporting Statement and CV, please use the ‘cover letter’ link and remove your personal details.
You must upload a Supporting Statement and CV for your application to be considered.
Interested?
Click on the apply button and complete an online application, along with uploading your Supporting Statement and CV, explicitly evidencing how you meet the shortlist criteria marked with an ‘A’ on the job specification.
Closing Date: Sunday 9th March 2025 at midnight.
Lambeth aims for quality services and equal opportunities for all and is committed to safer recruitment.
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Practice Development Lead employer: Lambeth Council
Contact Detail:
Lambeth Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Development Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the Signs of Safety framework, as it’s a key practice approach in Lambeth. Even if you don't have direct experience, showing your understanding and willingness to learn can set you apart.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any corporate parenting experience you have in your discussions or interviews. This is particularly valued for this role and can demonstrate your alignment with the council's goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Connect with current or former employees of Lambeth Council on platforms like LinkedIn. They can provide insights into the culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you embody the One Lambeth Values: Equity, Ambition, Kindness, and Accountability. Providing examples from your past experiences will show that you align with their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Practice Development Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description and person specification. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities and qualifications required for the Practice Development Lead position.
Craft Your Supporting Statement: Your Supporting Statement is crucial. Clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the criteria marked with an ‘A’ in the job specification. Use specific examples from your past work to illustrate your skills and achievements.
Tailor Your CV: Ensure your CV is tailored to highlight relevant experience in social work, particularly any corporate parenting experience or familiarity with the Signs of Safety framework. Keep it concise and focused on your most relevant roles.
Follow Application Instructions: Make sure to follow the application instructions carefully. Upload your Supporting Statement and CV using the designated links and ensure that personal details are removed as per the anonymised application process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lambeth Council
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the Practice Development Lead role and its responsibilities within Lambeth Children’s Social Care. Familiarize yourself with the Signs of Safety framework, as well as the key values of Equity, Ambition, Kindness, and Accountability that guide the organization.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your recent experience in social work, particularly in supporting the learning of social work students and ASYEs. Highlight any specific examples where you influenced practice or contributed to the development of others, as this will demonstrate your capability for the role.
✨Align with Lambeth's Vision
Research Lambeth's 2030 Plan and the One Lambeth Programme. Be ready to articulate how your personal values align with the council's ambitions for the community and how you can contribute to their goals of delivering excellence in social care.
✨Prepare Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the team dynamics within the Academy, opportunities for professional development, or how success is measured in the role. Asking thoughtful questions shows your genuine interest in the position and the organization.
