At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with disabilities, mentor social workers, and ensure safeguarding practices.
- Company: Join Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, a supportive and innovative organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £6,000 welcome bonus, flexible working, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a team recognised for outstanding leadership and commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience and a passion for supporting others.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
We have a wonderful Children with Disabilities Team (CWD) here at Northamptonshire Children’s Trust! The CWD team ensures that children and young people with substantial and long-term disabilities and complex health needs are given every opportunity to meet their full potential, enjoy the best possible quality-of-life, and are safeguarded from harm. The CWD Team provides a social model of disability that challenges and seeks to remove the barriers to children and young people with disabilities and enable all children and young people to have access and opportunities to reach their full potential.
There are two teams within CWD, locality based in North and West Northamptonshire. Each team consists of a Team Manager, Advanced Practitioner, who may hold a small caseload of children; however, their main focus is to support and supervise Social Workers / Senior Social Workers and a Newly Qualified Social Worker within their team. The CWD team also has an annual review service for those children with a settled package of care and support hours. We collaborate with other professionals to ensure immediate and prompt responses. Their combined knowledge and expertise keep children and young people in Northamptonshire safe from harm.
We are supporting excellence in Social Work practice, with a new practice approach including signs of safety and systemic practice, and clear personal development opportunities for the right candidates.
About the team
Our CWD Team is a statutory service that focuses on the most vulnerable disabled children and young people in Northamptonshire. CWD teams are knowledgeable, fun and supportive. They work hard and at pace, and the Managers within CWD are always present and available for the team to provide advice, guidance and support.
What will you be doing?
We provide substantial and long-term support to children and young people with disabilities, typically up to the age of 18. We ensure they are given every opportunity to meet their full potential, enjoy the best possible quality-of-life, and are safeguarded from harm. You will undertake work with children, young people and families that require you to have advanced social work expertise, maintaining a small caseload as well as joint working with some children with less experienced social workers. Additionally, you will supervise, support, advise, and mentor newly qualified and less experienced colleagues handling complex or high-risk cases. This includes authorising assessments, plans, and related documentation, as well as chairing strategy meetings and discussions. Your role will also involve guiding and mentoring social workers to ensure their adherence to legislation, statutory guidance, local policies, and best practices in safeguarding vulnerable children, supporting looked-after children, and planning for permanence.
About you
We are seeking to recruit an experienced, enthusiastic, and dedicated Advanced Practitioner who shares a passion for supporting the progression of others. The Advanced Practitioner role is ideal for a Social Worker looking to develop their skills and experience. You will receive support from the Team Manager with regular supervision, numerous training opportunities and a commitment to your ongoing professional development. The ideal candidate will be confident in their analysis and decision making to deliver purposeful and effective social care and have a strong desire to develop social work expertise to support NCT on its improvement journey. You will be a qualified social worker, who has completed your ASYE, registered with Social Work England and have the commitment and passion to be at the forefront of delivering best practice.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Barred List check.
We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do. We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:
- SWE Registration paid yearly (social care colleagues)
- Recruitment Welcome Bonus of £6,000
- Relocation costs of up to £8,000
- 28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days, after 5 years
- Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health pension protection.
- Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
- Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
- Employee discounts with local retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
- Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
- A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
- Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
- Subsidised town centre car parking scheme
About us
At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of everything we do. Every decision we make and every action we take is guided by our commitment to delivering high-quality services that make a lasting difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Northamptonshire. We know that our people are our greatest strength. Our workforce is at the centre of our success, and we are committed to creating an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered to do the best job of their lives every day. We foster a culture built on kindness, collaboration and trust, where achievements are recognised, ideas are welcomed and innovation is encouraged. We are proud of the positive impact we make together and delighted that our work has been recognised by Ofsted, with an Outstanding rating for Leadership and Management and Good ratings across Help and Protection, Children in Care and Care Leavers. At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation. We are a Disability Confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers, who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria.
If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of an ambitious, supportive and forward-thinking organisation, Northamptonshire Children’s Trust could be the place for you.
Advanced Practitioner - Children with Disability in Northampton employer: Northamptonshire Children's Trust
Northamptonshire Children's Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to the welfare of children and families, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises continuous improvement and professional development. As a Children's Safeguarding Social Worker, you will benefit from collaborative relationships with various professionals, ensuring meaningful impact in your role while enjoying opportunities for growth in a community-focused environment. Join us in making a difference where your expertise is valued and your contributions lead to positive change.
Contact Details:
Northamptonshire Children's Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner - Children with Disability in Northampton
✨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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust.
✨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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust!
✨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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust, 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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust 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 Advanced Practitioner - Children with Disability in Northampton
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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Northamptonshire Children's Trust! 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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust
✨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.
