At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care, ensuring stability and positive outcomes through effective care planning.
- Company: Shropshire Council, dedicated to improving the lives of children looked after.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hybrid working, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth in a well-established service.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in safeguarding and children looked after services.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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)
Rate: Up to £38 per hour (Umbrella)
Hours: 37 hours per week (09:00 - 17:30)
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
Children's Senior Practitioner - Children Looked After Team in Shrewsbury employer: Schools Choice
Shropshire Council offers a rewarding opportunity for Children's Senior Practitioners to make a significant impact in the lives of children in care. With a flexible hybrid working model and a supportive team environment, employees benefit from strong management oversight and competitive pay, all while contributing to meaningful outcomes for vulnerable children and families in Shrewsbury. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values professional growth and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Senior Practitioner - Children Looked After Team in Shrewsbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience with children looked after. They might know about openings or can give you a heads-up on what to expect in interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about your experiences in care planning and safeguarding, and be ready to share specific examples. We want to hear how you've made a difference in children's lives!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your teamwork skills! In this role, you'll be working closely with families and multi-agency professionals. Be sure to highlight your collaborative experiences during interviews to demonstrate you're a team player.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Children's Senior Practitioner - Children Looked After Team in Shrewsbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in children looked after services. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for supporting children in care shine through! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely passionate about making a difference, so share your motivations and experiences that fuel this passion.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Schools Choice
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Children Looked After Service and the specific responsibilities of a Senior Practitioner. Familiarise yourself with relevant legislation, care planning processes, and safeguarding practices to show that you're well-prepared.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience in children’s services, particularly in care planning and court work. Prepare specific examples that highlight your skills in assessment, case management, and working collaboratively with families and multi-agency professionals.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Senior Practitioner, you'll need to lead meetings and coordinate with various stakeholders. Think of instances where you've taken charge or guided a team, and be prepared to share these stories during the interview to illustrate your leadership capabilities.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the team dynamics at Shropshire Council. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you. Consider asking about their approach to supporting children in care or how they handle challenges in the service.
