At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team of social workers in kinship care.
- Company: Join a reputable Children's Trust in the West Midlands.
- Benefits: Competitive pay at £33.33 per hour with professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives by supporting kinship carers.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work leadership and knowledge of kinship fostering regulations.
The predicted salary is between 33.33 - 33.33 £ per hour.
Are you an experienced social worker with a passion for supporting kinship carers and improving outcomes for children? Ready to take the next step into a supportive leadership role?
Leaders in Care is recruiting a Senior Practitioner to join an established Kinship Support Team within a Children’s Trust in the West Midlands. With national reforms bringing an increased focus on kinship care, this is an exciting opportunity to help children remain within their family networks and support carers to provide safe, stable and nurturing homes.
The role
- Working alongside the Team Manager and another Senior Practitioner, you’ll provide operational oversight and professional support to an experienced team supporting kinship carers following their approval as foster carers.
- Your responsibilities will include:
- Providing management oversight and supervision to a small number of social workers.
- Ensuring high-quality assessments identify carers’ strengths, needs and support requirements.
- Supporting child-centred practice that meets legal, regulatory and statutory requirements.
- Contributing to quality assurance activity and practice workshops.
- Encouraging professional development and continuous improvement across the service.
- Helping manage resources and develop innovative approaches to fostering support.
What you’ll bring
- Experience of leading and developing social work practice at an operational level.
- A strong understanding of kinship fostering and Special Guardianship Order (SGO) regulations.
- Up-to-date knowledge of national policy and developments in kinship care.
- The ability to offer effective leadership, professional challenge and practical support.
- A commitment to keeping children’s welfare, safety and individual needs at the heart of practice.
The team
You’ll join a well-established, collaborative service comprising six Social Workers, two Senior Practitioners and a Social Work Assistant, supported by an experienced fostering leadership team.
Senior Practitioner - Fostering in England employer: Leaders in Care
As a Registered Manager at our specialist solo children's home in Nottingham, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to providing high-quality, therapeutic care for young people with complex needs. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee growth and development, offering ongoing training and leadership opportunities to ensure you thrive in your role. With a competitive salary and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a nurturing environment, this position is ideal for those seeking a rewarding career in social care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Fostering in England
✨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 Leaders in Care.
✨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 Leaders in Care!
✨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 Leaders in Care, 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 Leaders in Care 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 - Fostering in England
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 Leaders in Care:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Leaders in Care! 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 Leaders in Care
✨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.
