At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage complex child protection cases and provide expert guidance to social workers.
- Company: Join the Family Support Team in Milton Keynes, dedicated to improving children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, increasing to 32 days after five years, plus a childcare subsidy.
- Other info: Full UK driving licence and enhanced DBS check required.
- Why this job: Make life-changing decisions for children while collaborating with partner agencies.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered social worker with significant experience in children's social care.
The predicted salary is between 31650 - 40000 £ per year.
Your experience and professional judgement will directly influence life-changing decisions and long-term stability for children in Milton Keynes. This site-based role requires dedication, respect and collaboration.
Responsibilities
- Take responsibility for complex child protection and court cases, using advanced social work knowledge to manage risk and improve outcomes for children.
- Complete clear, analytical assessments, care plans and court reports that support robust decision making.
- Make professional recommendations that focus on children’s safety, wellbeing and long-term outcomes.
- Provide expert guidance, mentoring and reflective support to social workers and students within the team.
- Support managers with case oversight, quality assurance and maintaining high practice standards.
- Represent the local authority in public and private law proceedings, including attending court and giving evidence when required.
- Work closely with partner agencies to safeguard children and promote effective multi-agency working.
Qualifications
- Registered social worker with Social Work England.
- Significant experience in children’s social care, including child protection and court work.
- Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance and evidence-based practice.
- Confidence in managing complex cases and making sound, defensible decisions.
- The ability to support, challenge and develop colleagues through reflective supervision and mentoring.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including producing high quality court documentation.
- A values led approach that reflects dedication, respect and collaboration.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
- Required to provide proof of licence and vehicle insurance (including business use cover).
- Required to undergo an enhanced DBS check unless already registered on the DBS Update Service.
Benefits
- Great holiday benefits – 28 days annual leave, increasing to 32 days after five years, plus a holiday purchase scheme.
- Excellent pension – all staff can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme.
- A full range of family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme, including a health cash plan, low-cost bike purchase scheme, high-street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary-sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low-emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card – additional discounts from national retailers and local businesses for staff working in social care.
Practitioner - Family Support Team employer: Milton Keynes City Council
Work in Milton Keynes with a team focused on children's social care. Enjoy family-friendly policies and an excellent pension scheme. The role offers opportunities for professional development through mentoring and reflective supervision.
Contact Details:
Milton Keynes City Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practitioner - Family Support Team
✨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 Milton Keynes City 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 Milton Keynes City 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 Milton Keynes City 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 Milton Keynes City 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 Practitioner - Family Support Team
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 Milton Keynes City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Milton Keynes City 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 Milton Keynes City 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.
