At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead social work practice and influence the profession in Northern Ireland.
- Company: BASW, a key player in social work advocacy and support.
- Benefits: Part-time role with flexible hours and impactful community engagement.
- Other info: Opportunity to work collaboratively across the UK and develop professional networks.
- Why this job: Shape the future of social work and connect with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with strong networking and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 36827 - 45011 £ per year.
BASW is seeking two experienced social workers who are passionate about improving practice and shaping the profession to join our team as Professional Practice Leads for Northern Ireland. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in strengthening social work in Northern Ireland and offers a rare opportunity to influence the future of the profession.
You will be responsible for increasing BASW's presence, profile and impact across Northern Ireland, ensuring that the voices and experiences of social workers inform our professional practice, policy, campaigning and member offer. The Professional Practice Leads will build strong relationships with BASW members, social workers, employers, universities, sector partners and other key stakeholders across Northern Ireland. You will help identify emerging practice and workforce issues, develop professional networks and support BASW to respond effectively to what matters most to social workers.
This role is based- and focussed on Northern Ireland but also offers opportunities, working as part of a UK-wide Professional Practice team, to contribute to BASW's wider professional priorities while ensuring that the distinctive context of social work in Northern Ireland is recognised and represented.
Key areas of responsibility
- Professional practice leadership - providing credible social work expertise and helping BASW remain connected to contemporary frontline practice in Northern Ireland.
- Member engagement and representation - building relationships with BASW members and the wider social work community, listening to their experiences and ensuring these inform BASW's priorities.
- Professional identity - promoting and strengthening social work's professional identity, values and contribution, and creating opportunities for social workers to connect as part of the wider BASW professional family.
- Practice development - supporting the development of resources, CPD, events, professional guidance and initiatives that strengthen knowledge, confidence and capability.
- Connecting practice and policy - identifying where legislation, policy, organisational systems and workforce pressures affect social work practice and the people social workers support and feeding professional intelligence into BASW's policy and influencing activity.
- Stakeholder engagement - developing and maintaining relationships with employers, universities, professional bodies, unions, regulators, government departments, voluntary organisations and other key partners.
- Developing BASW Northern Ireland - supporting the development of the Northern Ireland National Standing Committee and wider member networks, including opportunities for members to shape BASW's work.
- Membership development - increasing awareness of BASW's role and offer and helping to strengthen engagement with existing and prospective members. This includes promoting and championing BASW's unique role supporting the social work profession.
- Campaigning and influencing - working closely with our policy and public affairs function, to support member-led campaigning and contributing professional practice expertise to relevant BASW campaigns and consultations.
About you
We are looking for someone who:
- Is a qualified and registered social worker.
- Has a strong understanding of the social work landscape in Northern Ireland.
- Is confident engaging with social workers at all levels, from frontline practitioners to senior leaders.
- Can build effective relationships and partnerships across organisations and professional networks.
- Has a strong commitment to social work values, ethics and professional identity.
- Understands the pressures currently facing the profession and can translate practitioner experience into constructive professional influence.
- Is comfortable facilitating groups, delivering presentations and contributing to events, consultations and professional resources.
- Can work independently while also contributing effectively to a UK-wide team.
- Is enthusiastic about strengthening BASW's relationship with its members and ensuring BASW is visible, relevant and responsive in Northern Ireland.
This is an opportunity to help shape BASW's future work in Northern Ireland at an important point in the development of our new national delivery approach. You will have the opportunity to work directly with social workers and sector partners, strengthen professional networks, support the development of BASW Northern Ireland and ensure that social workers' voices influence both BASW's work and the wider professional conversation.
At the heart of the role is a simple ambition: to ensure social workers in Northern Ireland feel connected to BASW, represented by BASW and part of the wider BASW professional community.
Professional Practice Lead (Northern Ireland) Part-time 0.6 employer: Pharmacyupdate
NonStop Consulting is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment for Supervising Social Workers within a highly regarded Independent Fostering Agency in the West Midlands. With a focus on employee well-being, the company provides competitive salaries, low caseloads, generous annual leave, and ongoing training opportunities, ensuring that staff can thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the lives of foster families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Professional Practice Lead (Northern Ireland) Part-time 0.6
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like Pharmacyupdate, grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
✨Join Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at Pharmacyupdate. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
✨Make Your Passion Shine
When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through Pharmacyupdate's website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Professional Practice Lead (Northern Ireland) Part-time 0.6
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at Pharmacyupdate. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at Pharmacyupdate.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pharmacyupdate
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with Pharmacyupdate.
✨Know Your Social Work Theories
You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Professional Practice Lead (Northern Ireland) Part-time 0.6 at Pharmacyupdate.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
✨Prepare for a Situation-Based Discussion
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show Pharmacyupdate that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Professional Practice Lead (Northern Ireland) Part-time 0.6 role.
