At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people facing challenges with substance use and provide guidance to families.
- Company: Join Aquarius, a leading charity dedicated to improving young people's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension scheme, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: Health/social care qualification or relevant experience with young people.
The predicted salary is between 31030 - 41980 £ per year.
Location: Birmingham
Working Hours: 37 per week (fulltime, flexible working pattern required)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £31,030.00 - £41,980.00
Join Our Team – Make a Real Difference in Young People’s Lives! At Aquarius, we believe every young person and their families deserves the chance to thrive. Birmingham Young People’s Service works with under 25’s who are facing challenges with alcohol, drugs, or the impact of a family member’s substance use. We are looking for a dynamic and motivated Senior Practitioner to join our dedicated team. You’ll be based in the MASH / CASS team in Birmingham, engaging directly with professionals whilst offering substance use and hidden harm specialist advice and guidance. You will also be involved in screening referrals into CASS and offering support to families. Using a person-centred approach, you’ll provide brief interventions, specialist support to social workers and help them connect with the right services to support positive change.
What you’ll be doing:
- Engaging with social workers and social work partners to offer advice, support and guidance at referral screening stages and beyond.
- Delivering brief interventions that empower and build resilience for families.
- Supporting access to wider services to reduce risks and improve outcomes.
- Working flexibly across evenings and weekends in multi-agency settings.
- Keeping accurate case records and liaising with partner organisations.
- Offering support to the wider Birmingham Young Peoples service.
What we’re looking for:
- A qualification in health/social care, youth and community work (NVQ Level 3+, Dip SW, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling, Addiction Studies) OR experience working in health & social care, education, or substance use services, with the commitment to complete NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care.
- Confidence in working with young people, families and in multi-agency settings.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust quickly.
- A person able to represent Aquarius.
- A flexible, proactive, and resilient team player.
What we offer:
- The chance to genuinely change young peoples and families lives for the better.
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- A supportive and collaborative team environment.
- Opportunities to work across a range of partner agencies.
- A permanent, stable role with scope to grow.
At Aquarius, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. If you’re passionate about supporting young people and ready for a new challenge, we’d love to hear from you.
Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.
Senior Practitioner (Birmingham) employer: Recovery Focus
Recovery Focus is an excellent employer that prioritises the well-being of its staff and the communities they serve. With a supportive work culture, employees enjoy generous benefits such as 27 days of annual leave, pension contributions, and access to a 24/7 online GP, all while making a meaningful impact in the lives of families in Enfield. The company also fosters professional growth, providing opportunities for training and development in the health and social care sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner (Birmingham)
✨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 Recovery Focus.
✨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 Recovery Focus!
✨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 Recovery Focus, 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 Recovery Focus 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 Senior Practitioner (Birmingham)
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 Recovery Focus:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Recovery Focus! 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 Recovery Focus
✨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.
