At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care, ensuring stability and positive outcomes through effective care planning.
- Company: Shropshire Council, dedicated to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hybrid working, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a well-established team with strong management support and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on vulnerable children's lives while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in safeguarding and care planning.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 79200 £ per year.
Shropshire Council is recruiting Children's Senior Practitioners to join their Children Looked After Service. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced practitioners to take on a senior role supporting children in care, ensuring they receive the right interventions, stability, and long-term outcomes. You will play a key role in care planning, safeguarding, and progressing permanency plans, working closely with children, families, and partner agencies.
Location: The Guildhall, Shrewsbury (Hybrid Working)
Contract: Initial 3 months (with review)
Rate: Up to £38 per hour (Umbrella)
Hours: 37 hours per week (09:00 - 17:30)
Requirement: Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage a caseload within the Children Looked After Service, maintaining high standards of practice
- Undertake assessments informed by direct interventions with children and families
- Progress care and pathway plans, ensuring children access appropriate services at the right time
- Complete statutory visits to children in foster care, residential settings, or placed at home
- Lead and coordinate key meetings, including:
- Care planning meetings
- Risk management meetings
- Placement stability meetings
- Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings
- Statutory reviews
- Provide guidance, advice, and support to children, families, and carers
- Undertake some court work, including:
- Revocation of care orders
- Special Guardianship Order (SGO) applications
- Placement order applications
- Participate in the team's duty system
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic case records and documentation
- Work collaboratively with parents, carers, and multi-agency professionals
About You:
- Be a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England
- Have significant experience within Children Looked After / safeguarding services
- Demonstrate strong skills in care planning, assessment, and case management
- Have experience with court work and legal processes
- Be confident working in a multi-agency environment
- Possess strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills
- Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle
Why Join Shropshire Council?
- Opportunity to work in a well-established Children Looked After Service
- Flexible hybrid working model
- Supportive team environment with strong management oversight
- Competitive hourly rate
- Opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children in care
If you're an experienced Children's Senior Practitioner role and make a real impact, apply today.
Social Work Children's Senior Practitioner - Children Looked After Team Shrewsbury, Shropshire [...] employer: Oaksec
Shropshire Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Children's Senior Practitioners in the Children Looked After Service. With a flexible hybrid working model and a commitment to employee growth, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children in care while enjoying competitive pay and strong management support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Work Children's Senior Practitioner - Children Looked After Team Shrewsbury, Shropshire [...]
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions specific to social work roles. Think about your experiences with care planning and safeguarding, and be ready to share examples that highlight your skills and impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for making a difference! During interviews, express your commitment to supporting children in care and how you can contribute to their stability and long-term outcomes. Let your enthusiasm shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Work Children's Senior Practitioner - Children Looked After Team Shrewsbury, Shropshire [...]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Children's Senior Practitioner role. Highlight your relevant experience in children looked after services and showcase how your skills align with the job description.
Showcase Your Experience:When detailing your work history, focus on your achievements in care planning, assessments, and case management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to make a positive impact on children's lives.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Avoid jargon and ensure your writing is clear, making it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. This way, you’ll ensure your application reaches us directly and you can easily track its progress!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oaksec
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Children Looked After framework and relevant legislation. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities listed in the job description, as well as any recent developments in social work practices. This will show that you're not just qualified, but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your skills in care planning, assessment, and case management. Think about situations where you've successfully led meetings or coordinated with multi-agency professionals. Being able to articulate these experiences will demonstrate your capability for the senior practitioner role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, the challenges they face, or how they measure success in their interventions. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
While professionalism is key, don’t forget to let your personality shine through. Social work is all about building relationships, so showing your genuine self can help the interviewers see how you might connect with children and families. Plus, it makes for a more enjoyable conversation!
