At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage complex cases and support families to create positive change.
- Company: Leeds City Council, a vibrant and innovative local authority.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a thriving community in one of the UK's fastest-growing cities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and a passion for supporting families.
Leeds City Council is seeking an experienced Advanced Practitioner to join its Locality Team. You will work with children and families across a varied caseload, supporting positive change through assessment, intervention, and long-term planning while helping to maintain high standards of practice across the service.
As an Advanced Practitioner, you will manage complex cases and provide guidance and support to colleagues, contributing to the development of high-quality social work practice.
Key Responsibilities- Manage a complex caseload of Child in Need, Child Protection, and Children in Care cases.
- Undertake Child and Family Assessments and safeguarding investigations.
- Support and mentor less experienced social workers.
- Develop and implement effective care and support plans.
- Undertake direct work with children and families.
- Work collaboratively with education, health, police, and partner agencies.
- Prepare high-quality reports for conferences, reviews, and court proceedings where required.
- Maintain accurate and timely case recordings.
Leeds Children's Services uses a Restorative Practice Model, which underpins all work with children, young people, and families. This approach focuses on:
- Building strong and meaningful relationships
- Working collaboratively with families to find solutions
- Recognising strengths and resilience within families and communities
- Promoting restorative conversations and shared decision-making
- Supporting sustainable change through partnership working
- Reflective supervision and continuous professional development
The model is well established across Leeds and supports effective relationship-based social work practice.
Why Leeds Is a Great Place to Live and WorkLeeds is one of the UK's fastest-growing and most vibrant cities, offering excellent career opportunities and an outstanding quality of life:
- More affordable housing than many other major UK cities.
- Excellent transport links to London, Manchester, York, Sheffield, and the wider North.
- A thriving cultural scene with restaurants, shopping, music venues, theatres, and sporting events.
- Access to beautiful countryside including the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Peak District National Park.
- Strong local communities and excellent educational opportunities.
- A nationally recognised children's service committed to innovation, workforce development, and improving outcomes for children.
It’s a fantastic place to progress your social work career while enjoying everything a thriving city has to offer.
Interested? To apply, please send your CV to: For more information, call: (phone number removed)
Advanced Practitioner in Leeds employer: Sheldon Phillips Ltd
Leeds City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and collaboration. As an Advanced Practitioner in the vibrant city of Leeds, you will benefit from a competitive pay rate, access to a nationally recognised children's service, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on families' lives while enjoying the city's rich cultural scene and beautiful surroundings.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner in Leeds
✨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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd.
✨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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd!
✨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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd, 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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd 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 Leeds
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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Sheldon Phillips Ltd! 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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd
✨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.
