At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team in safeguarding children and families.
- Company: Coventry City Council, committed to high-quality social work.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working, and leadership opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with a focus on professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Registered Social Worker with significant experience in safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 33.3 - 33.3 £ per hour.
Coventry City Council is seeking an experienced Senior Practitioner to join its West Help & Protection Team. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled and motivated social work professional to take on a leadership-focused role within a supportive frontline safeguarding service.
As a Senior Practitioner, you will play a key role in supporting the Team Manager and driving high-quality practice across the team. You will work closely with Social Workers, helping to maintain performance standards, promote best practice and ensure positive outcomes for children and families. This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced practitioner who is confident managing complex safeguarding work while also supporting colleagues with professional development and performance improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Supporting the Help & Protection Team with practice and performance management
- Assisting Team Managers in the oversight of caseloads and service delivery
- Providing guidance, mentoring and support to Social Workers across the team
- Managing complex child protection and safeguarding cases where required
- Promoting high standards of social work practice
- Supporting effective decision-making and risk management
- Working collaboratively with partner agencies to safeguard children and young people
- Ensuring statutory responsibilities and timescales are met
Requirements
- Social Work England registration
- A recognised Social Work qualification
- Significant post-qualified experience within Children's Services
- Strong experience within Help & Protection/Safeguarding teams
- Experience managing complex child protection cases
- The ability to support and develop colleagues within a team environment
- Excellent assessment, analytical and leadership skills
- A strong understanding of statutory children's social care responsibilities
Working Arrangements
- Minimum of 3 days per week office-based
- Up to 2 days per week working from home
This arrangement supports both team collaboration and flexible working.
Why Join Coventry City Council?
- Opportunity to work within an established Help & Protection Team
- Supportive management structure
- Leadership and mentoring responsibilities
- Flexible hybrid working arrangements
- Chance to make a significant impact on outcomes for children and families
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. As this role is eligible for an Enhanced DBS check, applicants are required to declare any cautions and convictions that are not protected under current filtering rules.
If you are an experienced Senior Practitioner looking for your next opportunity within a progressive local authority, we'd love to hear from you.
Social Work Senior Practitioner - Help and Protection Team Coventry, West Midlands Up to £33.30[...] employer: Opus People Solutions
Opus People Solutions is an excellent employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. With a supportive work culture in Barrow-in-Furness, employees enjoy flexible hours, opportunities for overtime, and a commitment to maintaining high hygiene standards in a collaborative kitchen environment. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and fosters personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Work Senior Practitioner - Help and Protection Team Coventry, West Midlands Up to £33.30[...]
✨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 Opus People Solutions.
✨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 Opus People Solutions!
✨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 Opus People Solutions, 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 Opus People Solutions 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 Social Work Senior Practitioner - Help and Protection Team Coventry, West Midlands Up to £33.30[...]
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 Opus People Solutions:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Opus People Solutions! 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 Opus People Solutions
✨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.
