Senior Practitioner - Family Support Team in Milton Keynes

Job Introduction

We're recruiting a Senior Practitioner to join our Children's Social Care service at Milton Keynes City Council. We're dedicated to making a positive difference for children, young people and families across our city. This rewarding role sits within a team that holds child protection and court cases, working to support and ensure the safety of children and families in Milton Keynes. You'll complete high quality assessments and court reports, making clear recommendations about what is considered best for children in the short and long term. This can include planning for foster care and adoption where this is the right outcome for the child. Your experience and professional judgement will directly influence lifechanging decisions and long term stability for children. You'll work as part of a supportive, well organised council that acts as one team and puts children at the heart of everything we do.

This is a Site-Based role

Interviews will be held on a rolling basis throughout the advertising period. Suitable candidates may be invited to interview as applications are received

At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We're dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.

Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk

Main Responsibility

• 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.

The Ideal Candidate

• A qualified social worker registered with Social Work England.
• Significant experience working 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.

To be successful in this role, you’ll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If you’re offered the position, we’ll ask for proof of your licence and vehicle insurance, including business use cover. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to confirm your appointment without these documents.

If you’re offered the role, we’ll arrange an Enhanced DBS check as part of our pre-employment process (unless you’re already registered with the DBS Update Service).

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• 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 that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as 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 - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes

Our roles are either designated 'site based' or 'home based'. 'Site based' roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst 'home based' roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We're very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it's time for a new role.

If you'd like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.

At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We're dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.

Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk