At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team in empowering young people transitioning to adulthood.
- Company: Join Rotherham Council's dedicated Adult Care team.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Opportunities for training and collaboration with other professionals.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and a passion for supporting youth.
The predicted salary is between 33953 - 41499 £ per year.
Directorate: Adult Care, Housing & Public Health
Permanent, Full time, 37 hours per week
Advanced Practitioner – Preparing for Adulthood Team
Do you enjoy working in a busy environment, working as part of a team with lots of variety to your day? Do you enjoy supporting the learning and development of others? If so, being an Advanced Practitioner in The Preparing for Adulthood Team could be the role for you…
We are looking to recruit an exceptional Advanced Practitioner to join our Preparing for Adulthood (PFA) Team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and skilled social worker to contribute to the continued development of our Preparing for Adulthood service while promoting outstanding strengths-based practice across the team. The PFA Team works with young people aged 14-25 with eligible social care needs as they transition from children's to adult services. Working collaboratively with young people, families, carers, education providers, health professionals and partner agencies, the team plays a pivotal role in supporting successful transitions and achieving positive outcomes in adulthood.
As an Advanced Practitioner, you will support the team in delivering high-quality, person-centred social work practice that enables young people to maximise their independence, build resilience, and achieve their aspirations relating to education, employment, accommodation, community inclusion, health and wellbeing.
About the Role
This is a hands-on practice leadership role where you will hold a smaller caseload of more complex and challenging situations while supporting the development of colleagues across the team. You will:
- Champion high-quality social work practice and strengths-based approaches.
- Provide professional leadership, mentoring, coaching and reflective support to social workers and other team members.
- Support the Team Manager in the day-to-day operation of the service.
- Lead on complex assessments, care and support planning, safeguarding enquiries and risk management.
- Promote positive outcomes for young people preparing for adulthood through collaborative and creative social work practice.
- Support the learning and development of newly qualified social workers, students and experienced practitioners.
- Contribute to service development initiatives, quality assurance activity and practice improvement.
About you
As an Advanced Practitioner, you will provide professional leadership and some supervision to colleagues within your team, supporting the team manager with your team’s day-to-day operations when required and contributing to effective and efficient services. You will require a sound working knowledge of the Care Act, significant experience in undertaking complex safeguarding enquiries and risk assessments and have comprehensive risk management skills. You will be able to demonstrate expertise in the supervision and development of staff, including performance management. You must hold a registration with Social Work England and be competent at or willing to work to the Advanced Practitioner level of the Professional Capabilities Framework for Registered Practitioners. If you are a compassionate, innovative, and resilient Social Worker with the drive to deliver ever improving performance outcomes for the people of Rotherham, then this is the role for you.
In return we can offer considerable professional growth and development within an environment that is both supportive and encouraging. A requirement of the post holder will be availability for occasional evening and weekend out of hours work.
Our offer
The successful applicant will be joining a supportive and motivated team who value learning and work closely with other professionals in the area. A full induction and training are provided as well as regular supervision and team meetings. Flexible working arrangements including hybrid working to help you get the right work life balance. A huddle every morning to keep you connected with your team - time to share ideas and celebrate successes. An employee assistance programme for any work and personal related support. Staff engagement sessions and Employee Opinion Surveys. A positive learning environment with access to a wealth of resources and practice guidance, and high-quality training opportunities for all staff, plus support from our in-house Professional Practice Team.
Would you like to Talk to Us?
Kristie Denston – PFA Team Manager, Kristie.Denston@Rotherham.gov.uk
Shortlisting: 1st September 2026
Interviews: 7th September 2026
This post involves working with adults and therefore if successful you will be required to apply for a disclosure of criminal records check at an enhanced level. Further information about the Disclosure Scheme can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check.
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. For further information, please visit our website.
PFA Advanced Practitioner in Rotherham employer: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its employees. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and respect, the organisation fosters a collaborative work culture where creativity thrives, offering opportunities for meaningful contributions to the community. Located in Suffolk, this role as a Graphic Designer not only allows you to engage in impactful design projects but also supports the development of young people, making it a rewarding place to work.
Contact Details:
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PFA Advanced Practitioner in Rotherham
✨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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.
✨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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council!
✨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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, 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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council 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 PFA Advanced Practitioner in Rotherham
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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council! 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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
✨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.
