At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care, ensuring they receive the right interventions and stability.
- Company: Shropshire Council, dedicated to improving outcomes for children.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, flexible hybrid working, and supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a well-established service with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in safeguarding and care planning.
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)
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: Opus People Solutions
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 strong management oversight, employees are empowered to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in care while enjoying competitive pay and opportunities for professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Work Children's Senior Practitioner - Children Looked After Team Shrewsbury, Shropshire [...]
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Opus People Solutions, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Opus People Solutions. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Opus People Solutions. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Opus People Solutions
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Opus People Solutions.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Social Work Children's Senior Practitioner - Children Looked After Team Shrewsbury, Shropshire [...] role at Opus People Solutions, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Opus People Solutions that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
