At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in need and ensure high-quality social work oversight.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, dedicated to making a positive impact on children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, permanent contract, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a team focused on innovative approaches and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and experience in children's social work required.
The predicted salary is between 46110 - 50079 € per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: Hinckley Family Hub, Granville Road, Hinckley, LE10 0PP
Salary: £46,110 - £50,079 (inclusive of market premia at £2,250) per annum (pro‑ratio for part‑time) (Pay award pending)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 17th May 2026
Interview Date(s): 26th May 2026
About the Role
Family Help is Leicestershire’s Child in Need service, where both Social Workers and Keyworkers (AQWs) engage, support and encourage families to make positive changes in their lives. Family Help focuses on strong and consistent professional relationships, responding more quickly and intensively to families so that they get the right help at the right time. Building on workers’ capacity to listen, understand and respond to trauma, and supporting children and families to build strength, resilience, confidence and parenting capacity. By unlocking the potential of family and community networks, we aim to support more children to stay safely at home, and when this is not possible, to remain with wider family and friends.
By supporting staff through regular reflective supervision, ensuring positive training and career pathways, staff embrace this more intensive way of working and remain in post longer, providing our families with the professional consistency they need, want and deserve.
As part of our Family Help Service, we have a Senior Social Work Oversight Practitioner vacancy, who will support the Team Manager in ensuring that a high-quality Child in Need service is provided for children and their families. We are currently developing our approaches in Leicestershire to implement the national Family First Partnership Programme reforms, so this role may be subject to change and review.
An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post. We want a creative and supportive worker who will provide Social Work oversight on Child in Need cases allocated to alternatively qualified staff (Keyworkers), to support progress of plans and intervention to families in their homes. To ensure that Child in Need meetings are child focused, that children’s voice is central, and that their participation and contribution is maximised, along with that of their parents and carers, so that we achieve effective plans and best/sustainable outcomes. This involves direct Social Work practice, when cases held by Keyworkers escape or are subjects of private law processes – this is to avoid having additional Social Workers involved with families.
About You
To apply for this post, you must:
- Degree in Social Work approved by the Social Work England (SWE) or equivalent social work qualification i.e. Certificate of Qualification in Social Work or Diploma in Social Work.
- The worker must also be registered with Social Work England.
- Experienced level 3 social worker in a children’s social work team.
- Experience of working in access/duty/intake; children in need, child protection, care proceedings, safeguarding, and looked‑after children work.
- Experience of undertaking Section 47 enquiries.
- Experience of chairing complex meetings and ensuring child voice is heard, and their participation and contribution is maximised, along with that of their parents/carers.
- Experience of using performance indicators to monitor and improve performance.
- Experience of multi‑agency working, of challenging partners, of holding them to account, and of encouraging action.
Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Senior Social Work Oversight Practitioner employer: Nottingham City Council
Leicestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the professional development of its staff. With a focus on reflective supervision and career pathways, employees are empowered to make meaningful impacts in the lives of children and families within the community. Located in Hinckley, the Family Hub provides a collaborative environment where social workers can thrive while contributing to vital services that promote family resilience and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Work Oversight Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might know about opportunities at Leicestershire County Council. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of the Family Help service and the national Family First Partnership Programme reforms. Show us you’re not just a fit for the role, but that you’re genuinely passionate about making a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those around child-focused practices and multi-agency working. We want to see how you handle real-life scenarios, so think of examples that showcase your skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Leicestershire County Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Work Oversight Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use keywords from the job description, like 'Child in Need' and 'multi-agency working', to show we’re on the same page.
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t just list your qualifications; tell us about your hands-on experience. Share specific examples of how you’ve supported families or chaired complex meetings, as this will really resonate with us.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We love a well-structured application! Keep your writing clear and to the point. Use bullet points for key achievements and make sure it’s easy for us to see why you’re the right fit.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Senior Social Work Oversight Practitioner. Familiarise yourself with the Family Help service and its focus on child welfare, trauma-informed care, and multi-agency collaboration. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of the role during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your experience in children’s social work, particularly in areas like safeguarding and chairing complex meetings. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them impactful.
✨Emphasise Child-Centred Practice
Be ready to discuss how you ensure that children's voices are heard in your practice. Share strategies you've used to engage children and families effectively, and how you’ve maximised their participation in decision-making processes.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions about the Family Help service and the upcoming changes with the Family First Partnership Programme reforms. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the organisation aligns with your values and career goals.
