At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support social work practice, ensuring high standards and continuous improvement.
- Company: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, dedicated to promoting independence and quality in social care.
- Benefits: Permanent full-time role with opportunities for professional development and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to equality, diversity, and continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while advancing your career in social work.
- Qualifications: Social Work Degree, current registration with Social Work England, and management experience required.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 £ per year.
Employer: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
Location: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, Magdalen House
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 36 hours per week
Closing Date: 20/07/2026 at 23:59
Reference: ASC/26/
Sefton Adult Social Care are seeking a committed and dynamic individual to work alongside the Service Manager and Advanced Practitioner for Professional Practice to support professional practice and promote best practice across Adult Social Care. We are committed to improving outcomes and promoting independence for people who use our services by supporting practitioners to work in a knowledgeable, legally literate and strengths-based way. In addition to supporting frontline practitioners, the successful candidate will contribute to the department’s ongoing quality assurance work, helping to raise standards and drive continuous improvement.
Applicants must have a Social Work Degree or equivalent Social Work Qualification, Current registration with Social Work England and Management experience.
The key responsibilities include:
- Provide professional practice leadership by sharing advanced social work knowledge, skills, experience and practice standards with practitioners across Adult Social Care.
- Promote legally literate practice through strong working knowledge of the Care Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and relevant statutory guidance.
- Deliver one-to-one and group reflective supervision and learning sessions to support professional development, critical thinking and safe decision-making.
- Offer constructive challenge where there are concerns about practice quality, professional standards or outcomes for people who use services.
- Chair complex meetings confidently, ensuring clear decision-making, effective risk management and appropriate follow-up actions.
- Model and promote inclusive practice, demonstrating a clear commitment to equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory approaches.
- Strengthen partnership working with internal teams, external agencies and key stakeholders to improve practice, outcomes and service quality.
- Use learning from complaints, feedback, audits and co-production activity to strengthen learning loops, identify practice themes and support continuous improvement across Adult Social Care.
- Support regulatory compliance and CQC assurance by helping to embed quality standards, evidence good practice and ensure services are prepared for ongoing assessment and inspection.
- Contribute to the review, development and implementation of Adult Social Care policies, procedures and practice guidance, ensuring they reflect current legislation, statutory guidance, regulatory requirements and evidence-informed practice.
- Maintain a strong commitment to personal professional development and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
This role suits someone who is passionate about social work, committed to maintaining high standards, and confident working both independently and collaboratively to support a highly skilled and safe workforce.
The closing date for this vacancy is Monday 20th July (or earlier in the event of high volume of applications being received). Provisional interview dates are Monday 27th July.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities. A diverse workforce is important to us, our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations, and we are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybody’s identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential. We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment. Our decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role.
Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview. If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.
How to apply
Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs (unless specified on the advert). Please fully complete the online application form.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner in London
✨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 Sefton 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 Sefton 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 Sefton 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 Sefton 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 Advanced Practitioner in London
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 Sefton Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Sefton 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 Sefton 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.
