R2R103759 - Senior Practitioner - Fostering Mental Health - Permanent 28hrs per week in Southend-on-Sea

Your New Organisation

Children Services - OFSTED RATING 2024 – GOOD

“Many workers have chosen to both live and work in Southend. They have seen positive cultural changes in the organisation and describe Southend as not just being a good place to live but now also a good place to work.”

“Social workers speak with warmth and knowledge about the children and families they support”

CPD

The training and development offered in Southend is comprehensive and equips staff effectively to deliver their work with children and families.

LEADERS INPUT

“Leaders understand their local communities and have used this knowledge strategically and effectively to meet children’s needs”

Our vision is A Southend Where All Children Achieve Success. By joining Southend City Council as a Social Worker, 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 focussing 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 are looking to appoint a 28hrs per week, permanent children’s experienced Mental Health Senior Practitioner to join the Fostering Team. Within this position, hybrid working opportunities are available. However, you are required to be on-site at the Civic Centre a minimum of 2 days a week.

The role is focused on providing an efficient, cost-effective emotional health and wellbeing service to children looked after and their foster carers. It supports children’s emotional, behavioural, and mental health needs through consultation, targeted intervention, and the development and review of support plans, particularly for young people with high SDQ scores.

The post provides professional consultation and guidance to colleagues across children’s services, ensuring emerging needs and risks are identified and communicated. It plays a key role in developing foster carers’ capacity through training, support forums, and trauma-informed practice, enabling them to meet the complex needs of children in their care.

The role works in close partnership with internal and external services to deliver placement-based emotional health support and promote stability, wellbeing, and improved outcomes for children and young people.

What you’ll need to succeed

To be shortlisted for this position, you must be able to work in the UK, have a recognised Social Work qualification and have completed your ASYE. You must have strong statutory experience and a solid understanding of children looked after, child protection, and fostering regulations. You will need the ability to apply psychological and attachment-based theories to practice, particularly in relation to trauma, loss, and emotional wellbeing. The role requires proven experience of multi-disciplinary working, including effective partnership with health services, CAMHS/EWMHS, and other professionals to ensure children receive appropriate emotional health and mental health support. You must be confident in leading on SDQ-informed planning, delivering therapeutic assessments and interventions, and providing specialist consultation and advice to social work colleagues.

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. If you would like a copy of the Job Description, please 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.