At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through safeguarding and care planning, leading on complex cases.
- Company: Join a dedicated team in Oldham focused on family help and relationship-based practice.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, pension scheme, gym discounts, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and service development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your career in social work.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in statutory children's safeguarding and mentoring.
The predicted salary is between 47181 - 51356 £ per year.
A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join our Safeguarding and Care Planning teams in Oldham, where you will play a vital role in supporting children and families who require help and protection through child protection or family court proceedings. This is an exciting time to join the service as we embed Families First reforms, placing family help, family networks and relationship‑based practice at the heart of our work. You will benefit from strong leadership and excellent support from experienced Team Managers, alongside opportunities to contribute to service development, lead change, and progress your career.
Location: Spindles, Floor 8, George Street, Oldham, OL1 1HD
Salary: £47,181 to £51,356 per annum (Grade 9)
Hours: 36.66 per week
Closing Date: Sunday 28 June 2026
Key Responsibilities
- Lead on complex and high-risk families across undertaking advanced assessments and robust risk analysis.
- Mentor and coach staff, supporting development of analytical skills, court work, and safeguarding practice.
- Drive improvement in practice standards through audits, reflective discussions, and modelling best practice.
- Contribute to strategy discussions, legal planning, and multi‑agency meetings.
- Promote consistent application of statutory guidance and local safeguarding procedures.
Key Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
- Extensive experience in statutory children’s safeguarding.
- Recognised advanced practice skills in risk assessment, analysis, and care planning.
- Experience of supporting, mentoring, or coaching social workers in frontline practice.
- Strong working knowledge of legislation, thresholds, and court processes.
- Ability to influence practice, provide constructive challenge, and support quality improvement.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively in a multi‑agency environment.
- Commitment to high standards, continuous learning, and improving outcomes for children.
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10 years’ service.
- Option to purchase additional annual leave.
- Attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
- Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
- Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating‑out, eating‑in, travel, motoring and more.
- Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
- Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
- Staff recognition and celebration events.
- Peer support groups.
Equal Opportunity
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not offer sponsorship at this time.
Advanced Practitioner in Manchester employer: Oldham Council
Join our dedicated team in Oldham as an Advanced Practitioner, where you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in need. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through mentorship and leadership opportunities, while our comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and wellbeing support, ensures a rewarding work-life balance. With a commitment to continuous improvement and innovative practices, we are proud to be at the forefront of safeguarding and care planning.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner in Manchester
✨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 Oldham Council.
✨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 Oldham Council!
✨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 Oldham Council, 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 Oldham Council 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 in Manchester
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 Oldham Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Oldham Council! 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 Oldham Council
✨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.
