At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead practice development and drive improvements in Children's Social Care.
- Company: Join Lambeth Social Care Academy, a dynamic and innovative team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture focused on continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong social work experience and passion for developing others.
The predicted salary is between 54360 - 57495 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Lambeth Social Care Academy due to the promotion of the current post holder. We are seeking an experienced and passionate Practice Development Lead to join our ambitious and forward‑thinking team.
As a Practice Development Lead, you will be a key member of the Lambeth Social Care Academy, working closely with the Principal Social Worker, Service Managers, Advanced Practitioners and frontline teams to drive practice improvement across Children’s Social Care. You will play a central role in embedding Lambeth’s Signs of Safety practice model, ensuring that practitioners are supported, challenged, and developed to deliver relationship‑based, strengths‑focused practice that keeps children safe and achieves lasting change for families. The role combines practice leadership, quality assurance, workforce development, coaching, and organisational learning. You will act as an agent of change, championing best practice and supporting services to achieve and sustain high standards through reflective learning, audit activity, supervision, consultation and training.
Working collaboratively with operational services and partner agencies, you will identify strengths, analyse themes and trends and help translate learning into meaningful improvements that enhance outcomes for children and young people.
You will bring:
- Strong and credible frontline social work experience with a track record of excellent practice.
- A passion for practice development, learning and supporting others to grow.
- Experience of coaching, mentoring, supervising or developing social workers, including students, ASYEs and experienced practitioners.
- A sound understanding of Signs of Safety and the ability to support practitioners to use the model confidently in their work with children and families.
- Experience of quality assurance activity, including auditing, case consultation, reflective learning and practice improvement.
- The ability to analyse complex information, identify themes and learning, and influence change at both practitioner and service level.
- Excellent communication, relationship‑building, and facilitation skills.
Why Join Us? Lambeth is committed to creating a learning culture where practitioners are supported to do their best work with children and families. The Social Care Academy is at the heart of this ambition, providing innovative learning opportunities, professional development pathways and practice leadership across the directorate. You will be joining a dynamic, creative, and highly regarded team that values curiosity, collaboration, reflective practice and continuous improvement. Together, we are working to ensure that every child receives the right help at the right time and that our workforce feels confident, supported and empowered to make a difference.
Please note that you must be registered with Social Work England at the time of application.
At Lambeth, we are dedicated to providing quality services and equal opportunities for all. We are committed to safer recruitment and are proud to be a Stonewall diversity champion, a Living Wage Employer, and to guarantee interviews for all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role.
Practice Development Lead employer: Lambeth Council
Lambeth Social Care Academy is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and innovative learning culture for social care practitioners. With a strong emphasis on professional development, collaborative teamwork, and reflective practice, employees are empowered to make meaningful impacts in the lives of children and families. Joining our dynamic team means being part of a forward-thinking organisation that values curiosity and continuous improvement, all while enjoying the benefits of a hybrid working model in a vibrant community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Development Lead
✨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 Lambeth 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 Lambeth 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 Lambeth 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 Lambeth 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 Practice Development Lead
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 Lambeth Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lambeth 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 Lambeth 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.
