At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable families, providing tailored assistance to help them thrive and stay together.
- Company: Salford City Council, dedicated to improving lives and fostering a diverse culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Engage in reflective practice and contribute to a culture of continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while growing your skills.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in child development or social care and experience with families.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
About us
Salford City Council's Strengthening Families program is an award-winning innovative, intensive, long-term early help service for vulnerable first-time parents who are at risk of having their first child removed through court proceedings or have had at least one child removed from their care through court proceedings and present as pregnant again. The program aims to increase the number of parents and babies who can stay together and reduce recurrent care proceedings.
About the Role
The Strengthening Families Practitioner plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable families across Salford and beyond. Practitioners are expected to actively contribute to the vision of the Strengthening Families programme, working collaboratively within a dedicated team to ensure fidelity to its innovative model. This role requires a flexible, trauma-informed, and solution-focused approach, with a strong belief in the capacity for positive change. Practitioners will work both independently and as part of a team, often in outreach settings, engaging families who face complex challenges. They will provide intensive, bespoke packages of support, helping parents to build resilience, reduce risks, and strengthen relationships.
A key aspect of the role involves supporting parents in developing their children’s social and emotional skills, ensuring early development and school readiness. In addition to child-focused support, practitioners will assist families in broader areas of life including physical and emotional health, safety, education, training, employment, and housing. The ability to work flexibly, including outside standard hours and across different locations, is essential to meet the needs of the service.
Practitioners are expected to maintain accurate and up-to-date records that reflect the voice of the family and demonstrate progress and outcomes. They will apply evidence-based frameworks, such as the Family Partnership Model, to assess and identify family strengths and needs. Regular engagement in reflective practice discussions is encouraged to support team development, build resilience, and maintain healthy professional boundaries. The role also involves representing the Strengthening Families programme at events, participating in the Community of Practice network, and contributing to a culture of continuous learning. Practitioners will support programme evaluation by conducting regular interviews with families and staying informed about developments in allocated cases to support the wider team.
A strong understanding of child protection and safeguarding procedures is essential, along with the ability to assess and manage risk in line with statutory and local protocols. Overall, this role is suited to individuals who are empathetic, authentic, and committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.
About you
- Have a relevant professional qualification Level 3 in child development, health or social care.
- You will have previous experience of working with children and families.
- You will be required to undertake and complete relevant training identified within the model.
- Demonstrate knowledge of trauma-informed practice, strength-based and solution-focused strategies to support families to change.
- Ability to communicate equally, appropriately and effectively with the widest range of individuals and groups, in potentially highly distressing and emotional circumstances.
- Willingness to flexibly work outside of standard office hours as required by the needs of the service.
- You will be a good listener, have patience, understanding, empathy and passion to work within the strengthening families service.
- You will support parents to manage their own behaviour both individually and in a group setting by the use of effective positive professional relationships.
- You will promote good emotional and physical health for our children and families working in partnership with other agencies to best meet their needs.
- Demonstrate a willingness to engage in reflective practice and commit to ongoing personal and professional development.
- You will regularly reflect on practice (both on your own and general operating practices) and take full advantage of professional supervision and appraisals.
- To contribute to reports and undertake detailed assessments, identifying families' strengths and challenges and evidencing progress, in order to develop appropriate interventions.
- You will work holistically, ensuring all family members and extended family are included in the wrap-around support that’s offered to our parents and children.
- You will support families in a strengths-focused approach ensuring they receive the right service at the right time.
- You will initiate, plan and co-ordinate services, which includes taking a lead role in Team around the family.
- Work within guidelines to identify and manage risk, utilizing other professionals' expertise when needed.
- You will be able to demonstrate awareness of relevant legislation and adhere to local safeguarding policies and procedures.
- You will have a good level of competency in basic computer skills, including the use of Word, databases, the internet and email, having regard to the GDPR associated policies.
- You will manage a caseload and may visit families over a wide geographical area and within flexible working hours, which may include visiting families placed out of the area.
- You will model and demonstrate our values and behaviours.
Please be aware that this post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and that you will be required to meet the cost of the DBS check currently £49.50. The payment for this will be deducted from your first four months’ salary payments at a rate of £12.38 per month. If you do not commence employment for any reason but the DBS has been processed, you will be sent an invoice for the payment of £49.50.
If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character.
Want to know more about Salford? As an authority we are dedicated to improving the lives of our residents, and as an employer we are passionate about helping individuals to thrive in their work. We are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture and are proud of our professional accreditations which champion this.
Find out about our city as a place to live, work & grow, and learn more about the amazing work we are doing. You’ll also find out about the wealth of benefits we have to offer you on our Salford pages!
Privacy Statement and Data Protection: Our core data protection obligations and commitments are set out in the council’s primary Recruitment and Employment Privacy Notice.
Recurrent Care Proceedings Practitioner in Salford employer: Salford Council
Salford Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a positive impact in the community by supporting vulnerable individuals through their challenging times. With a flexible hybrid working model, employees enjoy a balanced work-life environment while benefiting from professional development opportunities and a collaborative culture that values compassion and teamwork. Joining the Salford Assist Team means being part of a mission-driven organisation that prioritises employee well-being and community service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Recurrent Care Proceedings Practitioner in Salford
✨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 Salford 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 Salford 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 Salford 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 Salford 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 Recurrent Care Proceedings Practitioner in Salford
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 Salford Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Salford 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 Salford 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.
