At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care while mentoring social workers and improving service delivery.
- Company: Join a compassionate team dedicated to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for career progression.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on professional growth and high-quality service.
- Why this job: Be a leader in child welfare and create positive outcomes for vulnerable children.
- Qualifications: Experience as a social worker with strong leadership and collaboration skills.
The predicted salary is between 46142 - 50269 £ per year.
Contract Information
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Salary: Grade I. Scale 35 - £46,142 to Scale 39 - £50,269 with a professional bar at Scale 37 - £48,226
- Hours Per Week: 36
- Base Location: Ashton Old Library, Old Street, Ashton under-Lyne, OL6 7SG
- Assessment Date: To be arranged
The Role
We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Senior Practitioner to join our Cared for Children service. The Senior Practitioner role is the first step on the management ladder and you will be part of a team led by a Team Manager. You will hold a small caseload of complex cases whilst supporting the Team Manager in improving service delivery by providing mentoring and coaching for social workers, and deputising for the team manager by chairing meetings and providing management oversight for cases. You will contribute to ensuring timely care and permanence planning for children, achieving this through professional and reflective supervision, supporting staff learning and development and ensuring the production of high‑quality work to improve outcomes for our Cared for Children.
Responsibilities
- Hold a small caseload of complex cases.
- Support the Team Manager in improving service delivery.
- Provide mentoring and coaching for social workers.
- Deputise for the team manager in chairing meetings and in providing management oversight for cases.
- Ensure timely care and permanence planning for children.
- Deliver professional and reflective supervision.
- Support staff learning and development and produce high‑quality work.
Qualifications & Skills
- Experience as a social worker.
- High level of skills and knowledge, modelling good practice.
- Excellent leadership skills.
- Commitment to meeting the holistic needs of children in care.
- Collaboration and creativity in working with teams.
- Compassion, curiosity, collaboration, conversation, courage in practice.
- Relevant professional qualification at Level 6 or above.
- Minimum of 2 years post‑qualification experience.
- Maintained membership of a regulated body where this is required.
- Professional standards practised to the highest expected level.
Professional Development
Professional job category with grade progression to Scale 39. A professional bar at Scale 37 allows progression subject to meeting the following criteria:
- Relevant professional qualification at Level 6 or above.
- Minimum of 2 years post‑qualification experience.
- Maintained membership of a regulated body where required.
- Professional standards practised to the highest level.
EEO Statement and Other Information
This position is subject to Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure Procedures. We are not able to offer sponsorship. We are an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.
Benefits
Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed by contacting the recruiting manager.
Senior Practitioner (Cared for Children) in Ashton-under-Lyne employer: Tameside Council
Join our dedicated team at Ashton Old Library, where we prioritise the well-being of Cared for Children and foster a supportive work culture. As a Senior Practitioner, you will benefit from professional development opportunities, competitive salary scales, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in children's lives while working in a collaborative environment that values compassion and creativity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner (Cared for Children) in Ashton-under-Lyne
✨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 Tameside 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 Tameside 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 Tameside 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 Tameside 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 Senior Practitioner (Cared for Children) in Ashton-under-Lyne
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 Tameside Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Tameside 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 Tameside 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.
