At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage complex cases for young people in care and advocate for their needs.
- Company: Join a supportive team dedicated to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, generous leave, and coaching opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with mentoring opportunities and a focus on professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on vulnerable children and support their journey to permanence.
- Qualifications: 3+ years of social work experience and a passion for child welfare.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About the Role
This role is fixed term for three years.
Candidate Profile
This is a position for an experienced practitioner with at least 3 years’ post qualifying experience as a social worker. We are seeking passionate individuals to join our children in care service. As a Senior Practitioner, you will have responsibility for managing a caseload of more complex and higher need young people aged 0-15 years old who are in our care. The main aim of our service is working towards achieving permanence for children.
You will provide a high quality and effective service for young people in our care. Your responsibilities will include:
- Care proceedings SWETs
- Care plans
- Conducting assessments
- Developing care plans and pathway plans
- Providing guidance and support
- Advocating for the needs and rights of young people in our care
You will also support other practitioners in the team through mentoring, advice, support, and occasional shadowing on visits or for meetings. In the role, you will build positive, supportive, and respectful relationships with young people in our care, their carers, and their families. We are looking for an individual who can make a positive impact on our children, their families, and carers.
You will lead on care proceedings and will model good practice for social workers, students, and ASYEs within the service. If you have experience working within a care service that undertakes care proceedings and have a strong desire to make a difference in children’s lives, we invite you to apply for this rewarding position.
This role will require working in a supported practice environment that respectfully challenges and enables you to use your professional judgement, autonomy, experience, knowledge, and skills. These all form the key aspects of our Signs of Safety practice model which we use when working with children, families, and the wider professional network.
Our Offer to You
We will offer you in return a package that includes a competitive salary, coaching and mentoring programmes, an excellent pension scheme, and generous annual leave plus bank holidays.
Recruitment Information
As a disability confident employer, Bexley welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact recruitment@bexley.gov.uk.
We reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date.
Secondment Opportunity
This role may be available as a development opportunity through secondment for the Council’s existing employees.
Senior Practitioner in Bexleyheath employer: LondonBoroughofBexley
Bexley Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Senior Practitioners dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children in care. With a strong focus on professional development through coaching and mentoring programmes, alongside a competitive salary and generous benefits package, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while contributing to the well-being of young people and their families. Located in a vibrant community, Bexley Council values diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that all staff feel respected and valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner in Bexleyheath
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might know about opportunities in children’s services. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job openings that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to social work and the specific challenges faced in children’s care. We recommend role-playing with a friend or mentor to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for making a difference! During interviews, share specific examples of how you’ve positively impacted young people’s lives. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares about the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a real impact in children’s lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner in Bexleyheath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for working with children in care shine through. We want to see your commitment to making a positive impact on their lives, so share your experiences and motivations clearly.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Practitioner role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially your work with complex cases and care proceedings. We love seeing how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at LondonBoroughofBexley
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Signs of Safety practice model. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this in your previous roles, especially when working with children and families.
✨Show Your Passion
This role is all about making a positive impact on young people's lives. Share specific examples of how you've advocated for children's rights or supported complex cases in your past work.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about how you'd handle various situations involving children in care. Think through some challenging scenarios and how you would approach them, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and empathy.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few questions ready that show your interest in the role and the team. You might ask about the mentoring opportunities available or how the team collaborates on care plans.
