Practice Manager- Leaving Care in Northampton

We are looking for experienced practitioners to work in the Leaving Care Team who have experience in the area to mentor and provide high-quality casework supervision of staff. This is an exciting time to join Northamptonshire’s Leaving Care Service as there have been some significant changes, and we are looking for passionate, creative, and committed team members to join us on our journey. Our aim is to reshape and build a service in co-production with our care-experienced young people and staff teams. Our aspiration is to create a service that is relevant, current, and effective in supporting our young people into adulthood and independent living.

Within this role, you will report to an experienced Team Manager as well as receiving support from the rest of the Leaving Care management group. Working across our two sites in Northampton and Kettering, this is an operational role within the Leaving Care service and requires regular presence in the office. While some flexibility for working from home may be available, this is subject to the needs of the service, which may change at short notice.

Our benefits:

• SWE Registration paid yearly
• Recruitment Welcome Bonus £4,000
• Relocation costs of up to £8,000
• Retention bonus payments for established personnel
• 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, available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support, and medical information
• Employee discounts with local and national 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

What will you be doing?

As part of the Leaving Care management team, you’ll combine leadership, supervision, and hands-on practice. You’ll supervise and support a team of Personal Advisors, providing high-quality casework supervision, mentoring, and professional guidance to help them deliver the very best outcomes for young people. You will take on a duty rota role which occurs one day per week. You will also be responsible for the induction of any new staff, as well as allocating new cases as directed by the Team Manager. You will monitor the desktop, authorising In Touch visits and Pathway Plans, as well as signing off risk assessments.

About you:

You’re a qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England, and you’re ready to take the next step in your career as an experienced practitioner or practice manager. You bring:

• Experience of working with care-experienced young people or within Leaving Care services
• Proven skills in mentoring, supervising, and supporting staff, including newly qualified colleagues
• Confidence in managing complex casework and making sound professional judgements
• Strong communication, organisational, and leadership skills
• A commitment to reflective practice, quality assurance, and continuous improvement
• A genuine passion for supporting young people to thrive as they transition into adulthood

You’re motivated, resilient, and values-driven, with the ability to work under pressure while maintaining a supportive, inclusive team culture. 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.