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 service with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while developing your career in social work.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in safeguarding and care planning.
The predicted salary is between 38 - 38 € per hour.
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 and want to make a real impact, apply today.
Children's Senior Practitioner - Children Looked After Team in Shrewsbury employer: Opus People Solutions Ltd
Shropshire Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Children's Senior Practitioners within the Children Looked After Service. With a flexible hybrid working model and strong management oversight, employees have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in care while enjoying competitive pay and professional growth opportunities in the picturesque setting of Shrewsbury.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Senior Practitioner - Children Looked After Team in Shrewsbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience with children looked after. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet or can give you a heads-up on what to expect in interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of care planning and safeguarding practices. We recommend practising common interview questions related to your experience in multi-agency environments and court work. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, highlight specific examples where you've led meetings or coordinated care plans. This will demonstrate your ability to manage a caseload effectively and support children and families.
✨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 in their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Children's Senior Practitioner - Children Looked After Team in Shrewsbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in Children Looked After services. We want to see how your skills align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t hold back on sharing your past experiences, especially those related to care planning and assessments. We love to see real examples of how you've made a difference in children's lives.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your writing is easy to read and gets straight to the heart of your qualifications.
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 this fantastic opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Opus People Solutions Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key responsibilities of the role. Understand care planning, safeguarding, and the legal processes involved in court work. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your experience in Children Looked After services. Think about times when you've successfully managed a caseload or led key meetings. This will help demonstrate your capability and fit for the role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle certain situations, especially in a multi-agency environment. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making skills, as this is crucial for a senior practitioner role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the team dynamics, support structures, or the challenges faced by the Children Looked After Service. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
