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- Tasks: Lead practice development and ensure excellent outcomes for children in Norfolk.
- Company: Join Norfolk County Council, a key local authority serving over 850,000 residents.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, health services, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while fostering a culture of learning and development.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Social Worker with significant management experience.
- Other info: Flexible working hours available; mostly onsite at County Hall Norwich.
The predicted salary is between 64089 - 71512 £ per year.
Principal Social Worker and Head of Practice
Norfolk, United Kingdom
Be the First to Apply
Job Description
Permanent contract (or Secondment for 12 months for internal applications) | full-time 37 hours per week | £64,089 to £71,512 per annum (Grade N) | Norwich
This role will be mostly onsite in one of our Countywide offices
Head of Practice – Independent Services, Assurance and Practice
Excellent practice is at the heart of Children’s Services transformation and quality assurance.
We are currently looking to recruit a Head of Practice who will become a member of the management team within Independent Services, Assurance & Practice to drive forward high-quality practice and ensure excellent outcomes for children and young people in Norfolk. This is a front facing role and working primarily at County Hall Norwich is essential. There is a small amount of hybrid working however the expectation is you will be in County Hall at least 4 days per week. We can offer some flexibility around working hours as long as the needs of the role are met .
You will be required to lead the development of the vision and core principles for practice in Norfolk, overseeing the design and delivery of the practice development offer to teams across Children’s Services, ensuring that practice models are developed with children’s feedback at their heart.
As Head of Practice, you will be integral to ensuring the development and maintenance of an effective learning culture across Children’s Services, creating the conditions for learning and practice development to thrive.
Within this role you will also act as the Principal Social Worker for Children’s Services providing professional leadership, guidance and development for social work and social care across the children’s system.
As a registered Social Worker with significant post-qualification management experience, you will provide line management to a number of teams.
Should you wish to have an informal discussion about the role please email Tania Fulcher (Assistant Director Independent Statutory Services, Assurance and Practice) at
Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job Description and Person Specification to help you demonstrate you meet the criteria we are looking for.
These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:
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Competitive salary
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Generous holiday entitlement with the ability to buy and sell leave
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Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
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Financial benefits such as:
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‘Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discount programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
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A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
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Relocation expenses (where applicable)
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An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
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Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions.
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A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job.
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Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension, new bikes and electric cars.
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You can find information on our Terms and Conditions here.
Already a Norfolk County Council employee? please apply using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.
Closing date for redeployees: 03 February 2025
Closing date: 9th February 2025 (previous applications need not apply)
About Us
We have miles of beautiful coastline and our unique Broads, thriving market towns and a city with a proud cultural heritage. Our economy is growing and driven by innovation in a number of sectors, including energy and food. We also have ambitious plans for new housing and a building programme for schools across Norfolk. Our county a great place to live, work and visit, and is an excellent environment for businesses to start, grow and innovate.
We are the main local authority for Norfolk providing services countywide to more than 850,000 Norfolk residents. We take the lead in critical policy areas, working with 84 elected Members responsible for the strategic local government services in the county.
We provide a high quality service through involving people who use our services to shape and comment on them and by promoting efficiency and innovation.
We work in partnership with local businesses, voluntary organisations and other local authorities such as District and Parish Councils to provide the people of Norfolk with excellent services.
Principal Social Worker and Head of Practice employer: Norfolk County Council
Contact Detail:
Norfolk County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Social Worker and Head of Practice
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the specific challenges and opportunities within Children's Services in Norfolk. Understanding local issues will help you articulate how your experience aligns with the role's requirements during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Norfolk County Council, especially those in social work or management roles. They can provide valuable insights into the organizational culture and expectations for the Head of Practice position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your vision for practice development in Children's Services. Think about innovative strategies that incorporate children's feedback and how you would implement them effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider reaching out to Tania Fulcher for an informal chat about the role. This can give you a clearer understanding of what they are looking for and allow you to express your enthusiasm for the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Social Worker and Head of Practice
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description and person specification. This will help you understand the key responsibilities and qualifications required for the Principal Social Worker and Head of Practice position.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the role. Emphasize your management experience, leadership qualities, and any specific achievements in social work that demonstrate your capability to drive high-quality practice.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that outlines your motivation for applying and how your background fits the needs of the role. Be sure to mention your understanding of the importance of children's feedback in practice development and your vision for enhancing services.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Think about possible interview questions related to leadership in social work, managing teams, and implementing practice models. Prepare examples from your past experiences that showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to foster a learning culture.
How to prepare for a job interview at Norfolk County Council
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the Principal Social Worker and Head of Practice role. Familiarize yourself with the key responsibilities, such as leading practice development and ensuring high-quality outcomes for children and young people in Norfolk.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous management experience and how it relates to providing professional leadership in social work. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully led teams or initiatives that improved practice or outcomes.
✨Emphasize Your Commitment to Child-Centered Practice
Be ready to talk about how you incorporate children's feedback into practice models. Share examples of how you've previously engaged with children and families to ensure their voices are heard in service delivery.
✨Prepare Questions for the Interviewers
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the current challenges facing Children's Services in Norfolk or how the council supports ongoing professional development for its staff.
