At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a dynamic team in delivering high-quality services to young people and families.
- Company: Join Lewisham Council, a proud Borough of Sanctuary championing diverse communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, flexible working, and local discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people and their families.
- Qualifications: Must have 3+ years of post-qualifying Social Work experience.
The predicted salary is between 58299 - 60486 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK's first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
The appointment will be for a Social Work qualified Advanced Practitioner. We are looking for inspirational leaders to sit across our Family Help South Service. We are seeking skilled and reflective practitioners who are creative and can work with young people and their families in an innovative way to ensure they receive the right help at the right time. We are looking for applicants who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and who have the experience and confidence to work with young people.
The teams across the service areas are made up of Social Workers, Senior Family Practitioners, Substance Misuse Practitioners, Mental Health Practitioners and Business Support. The teams within our service consist of Family Help Teams 1 - 5, Family Wellbeing Team, Children With Disabilities team 2 and Occupational Health.
What's the role?
You will work in a diversified team including advanced practitioners, social workers and family practitioners. As advanced practitioners in these teams, you will not only case hold but will also be required to deputise for the team managers. Therefore, we are looking for people who are confident, dynamic and experienced to help lead our efforts in working with and supporting young people and their families.
As well as case holding responsibility, you will play a crucial role in overseeing and supporting our team of social workers. You will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality services, providing supervision and guidance to team members, and working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies.
Within Family Help South, the Family Wellbeing Team aims to improve the safety and wellbeing of children affected by the drug and alcohol use of their parents and carers, through providing earlier and easier access to substance misuse and mental health support. The aim is to divert these families from traditional Child Protection processes. The team was established in September 2024 and has been leading the way in testing innovative social work practice, including:
- Integrated Child and Family Assessments with substance misuse and mental health
- Multi-agency group supervision
- A new approach to child protection conferences (Keeping Children Safe meetings) taking place face to face at a location chosen by the parents
- Diversified team with co-location from partner agencies, and co-allocation of cases to non-LBL practitioners
You will support the team manager to monitor the performance of the team, identifying areas for improvement and implementing necessary changes. You will deputise for the team manager and provide leadership and support to a team of social workers, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services. You will work directly with children and families under CIN, CP and/or legal framework. You will provide line supervision for ASYE and senior family practitioners, supervising and mentoring team members, offering guidance and support in complex cases. You will work closely with the family network during the assessment and safety planning process.
What's in it for you?
- Generous holiday allowance
- Local Government Pension scheme
- Flexible working and family friendly policies
- Season ticket and bicycle loans
- A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
- Supportive staff networks
What we're looking for:
- A minimum of 3 years post-qualifying Social Work practice and experience of managing a frontline safeguarding caseload
- Experience working with parents who have complex needs where there is a risk of significant harm to their children
- Experience completing parenting assessments or other assessments of parents regarding the safety and well-being of children for use in the Family Proceedings Court
- Using the Signs of Safety practice framework to structure your assessments and interventions with families
- Completing family network meetings to achieve the safety and well-being of children
- Giving evidence in the Family Proceedings Court
Location: The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
Special conditions:
- Relevant Social work qualification is needed
- Weekend working is required for this job
- The job is subject to an enhanced DBS check
For an informal discussion about this job, please contact Renee Miller.
Salary: £58,299 - £60,486 per annum (SCP 41 - 43). N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.
Diversity: Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to ensure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme; further details are available.
The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.
Advanced Practitioner - Family Help South in London employer: Lewisham Council
Join Kender Primary School in Lewisham, where your role as a SEND Teaching Assistant Apprentice will not only contribute to the development of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities but also immerse you in a vibrant, culturally rich community. With dedicated mentoring, high-quality training, and opportunities for permanent employment, you'll thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment that champions diversity and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner - Family Help South in London
✨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 Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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 Advanced Practitioner - Family Help South in London
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 Lewisham Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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.
