R2R103570 - Fostering Advanced Practitioner - Recruitment & Kinship Team - Permanent in Southend-on-Sea

Your New Organisation

Our vision is A Southend Where All Children Achieve Success. By joining Southend City Council as an Advanced Practitioner, you will be key in making our vision a reality for all children. You will be joining a service where we demonstrate with pride that:

• All paths lead back to the child.
• We spend time getting to know each child and their story.
• We do what we say we're going to do.
• We work with the whole family.
• No matter what, we aim to make things better.

You will provide support to work to the highest standard using our model of practice, Restorative Practice, to deliver the vision. You will access a professional social work development offer that has been designed by social workers, whatever stage you are at in your career. You will be given regular restorative supervision and separate supervision focusing on development and evidencing your SWE registration. We want everyone to take the lead in an area of interest for your team, and you will explore this with your line manager.

Your new role

Southend City Council's Fostering Recruitment & Kinship Team are looking to appoint a full-time, permanent Advanced Practitioner. The Advanced Practitioner will ensure that the needs of the children and their parents/carers are professionally assessed by managing cases of high sensitivity or complexity and provide a focus of specialist advice and professional consultation. They will recommend needs led assessments and interventions within strict criteria and policy. Gather, investigate, evaluate and analyse all necessary information on assigned cases, demonstrating clarity of assessments, reliability of information, evidenced conclusions and realistic action plans. The AP will need to develop a practice which takes a holistic view of the individual, locating them in both their immediate and extended social circles, and having full regard to their education, social, recreational and health. Ensuring that all case management complies with the statutory requirements and the council's policies and procedures. The position is hybrid working, and you will be expected to be on site a minimum of 2/3 days a week. There will be a team meeting every other week and duty is to be undertaken in the office, approximately 3 days a month.

What you'll need to succeed

To be shortlisted for this position you must hold a recognised Social Work qualification, have completed your ASYE, be 3-years-post qualified, be registered with SWE and currently be a Practice Educator. You must have knowledge or direct experience of fostering practice and National Minimum Standards, have knowledge of trauma informed practice in relation to fostering, along with supervisory experience and knowledge of safeguarding and managing/overseeing complex caseloads. Additional knowledge must demonstrate understanding the framework for the assessment of children in need and their families and knowledge of methods of social work intervention. Previous experience of staff management, supervision or practice teaching along with extensive experience of applying assessment skills within a statutory social work setting is a must for this post.

What you'll get in return

When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the "Why Work For Us?" tab.

What you need to do now

If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply online' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV. For a full JD on the post click here. If you are wanting further information that isn't in the JD, please contact Nathalie at Nathalie.s@hays.com. Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to. All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check. The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.