At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead training and support for social workers in innovative family-led practices.
- Company: Join Lewisham Council, a vibrant and culturally diverse community.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, flexible working, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Opportunity to teach and mentor future social workers in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification and experience in workforce development required.
The predicted salary is between 64815 - 64815 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!
As a Practice Lead within Workforce Development Service, you will lead on the training and embedding of our Family Led (Signs of Safety) practice model and Family Led Decision Making (FLDM) within Lewisham. You will also work alongside senior leaders on the ongoing embedding and development of our FGC Champions model. This is an exciting role which will involve training delivery, 1-1 support for teams and practitioners, developing practice guidance and supporting social workers to embed Signs of Safety practice and our FLDM practice throughout their work with children and families.
Our social workers benefit from working in small, supportive teams. Our caseloads are on average between 15-20 children. Using Signs of Safety, we are committed to working in a relationship-based way with children and families, focussing on strengths in the family network to effect change. Promoting opportunities for reflection and relationship-based practice are important to us. We are committed to developing our practice using reflective practice spaces such as Thinking Spaces, case mapping, listening circles and group supervision. We are also committed to embedding Family Led Decision Making (FLDM) across our services, providing staff with dedicated training and ongoing support to confidently facilitate family networks, empower families to develop their own plans, and achieve sustainable outcomes for children.
We have a senior management team who are visible and approachable. We have a dedicated principal social worker and workforce team supporting professional development across the service. You will be supported through our comprehensive learning and development offer, which includes subscription to Research in Practice. You will receive regular supervision and appraisal. We offer 1-1 practice development coaching to case holding staff and professional development coaching to team managers as part of an established leadership development programme. Our staff have access to a variety of external leadership development opportunities.
We have a strong working relationship with Goldsmiths, University of London as part of the South East London Teaching Partnership. Our practitioners have the opportunity to teach on social work courses as teaching consultants. We host both Step Up and traditional route students and social workers have the opportunity to become practice educators.
This role is based in our Workforce Development Service providing learning and development to our children’s social care workforce. The service is responsible for the implementation of Signs of Safety and Family Led Decision Making, learning and development, leadership development, management of the ASYE and student and apprenticeship programmes and all other aspects of practice improvement work. We are looking for a leader with excellent children’s social work practice knowledge and experience of workforce development. You will have experience of delivering learning and development to the workforce and a good understanding of the current context of social work practice. You may have previously managed a team or are looking for a development opportunity and to take the next step in your career. You will have an excellent knowledge of Signs of Safety practice and experience of working with families using this model. A good level of knowledge and practice experience using Signs of Safety is necessary for this role. Being an experienced Practice Educator is also highly desirable for this role.
Responsibilities include:
- Working closely with the Workforce Development Group Manager to deliver training to the workforce.
- Supporting senior managers within the operational service areas to develop and embed FLDM and Signs of Safety practice across the workforce.
- Working closely with the Family Group Conference Champions and service areas to deliver training and embed practice within the workforce.
- Supporting practice improvement through coaching, group supervision, case mapping and other 1-1 practice development work.
- Supporting workforce development leads to support and develop our students, apprentices and newly qualified social workers.
What’s in it for you?
- Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
- 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
Lewisham was the 2022 London Borough of Culture and if you want to work in a thriving borough and our social work vision connects with your professional values, then we are interested in hearing from you. We are looking for people to join our team who:
- Value the importance of communication and seeking feedback
- Can inspire and motivate those they work with, manage and lead
- Are committed to developing their skills and expertise to deliver an excellent service
- Are committed to anti-racist practice
- Are professionally curious and value thinking slowly and calmly in a balanced way
- Work inclusively, collaboratively with others recognising their strengths
- Take responsibility and make a positive contribution by focusing on solutions
- Are transparent, are appreciative in enquiry, reflect and learn.
Location: The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU. There are 2 local train stations 3-5 minutes' walk from the office, and the train journey from London Bridge is approximately 15 minutes. There are also numerous bus routes that stop right by the office.
Special conditions: The post holder must have a social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England. The job is subject to a DBS check (Enhanced).
Salary: £62,634 - £64,815 per annum (SCP 45 to SCP 47). 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 make sure 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.
Workforce Development Manager (Practice Lead) 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 Workforce Development Manager (Practice Lead) 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 Workforce Development Manager (Practice Lead) 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.
