At a Glance
- Tasks: Make a real difference in children's lives and support families as a Senior Practitioner.
- Company: Join Tameside Children's Services, a team dedicated to improving lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team focused on innovation and growth in children's services.
- Why this job: Shape the future of social work while making a positive impact on your community.
- Qualifications: Experienced social workers with strong communication and interpersonal skills are encouraged to apply.
The predicted salary is between 46142 - 50269 £ per year.
Salary: Grade I Scale 35 - £46,142 to Scale 39 - £50,269 with a professional bar at Scale 37 - £48,226
Hours: 36 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Base Location: Tameside One, Ashton Under Lyne
Closing date: 12 January 2026
Assessment date: to be confirmed
Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families? Do you bring compassion, curiosity, collaboration, conversation, and courage to your practice? If so, Tameside is looking for you.
Tameside Children’s Services have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Practitioner to join our Safeguarding Team, ideal for experienced social workers who are looking to take the next step in their career. This role offers the chance to not only shape the lives of Tameside children, but also to shape the future of your profession by developing the next generation of social work professionals.
This is an exciting opportunity to join us on our improvement journey. The work is varied, offering you the chance to develop new skills, gain valuable experience, and progress in your career. You will be supported by a friendly and experienced team of Social Workers and Managers, with a comprehensive induction, ongoing training, and regular supervision to help you reach your full potential.
You will feel valued and included, with dedicated time to observe practice and complete introductory learning and development.
To apply for the role please upload your CV together with a supporting statement of no more than 2 pages that provides evidence of how you meet the essential requirements of the person specification. Please also include details of your education and training and employment history and any reference to your qualifications that are specified on the person specification within your CV/supporting statement.
About You
This role would suit a compassionate social worker with a passion for guiding and supporting others, whilst continuing to make a difference in the lives of children. We are looking for experienced social workers with great communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to positively influence others.
About Us
Our Heart of Support Practice Approach at Tameside, we believe in:
- Compassion understanding the lived experiences of children and families.
- Curiosity asking questions that lead to deeper insight and better outcomes for children.
- Collaboration working together across services to deliver joined-up support.
- Conversation listening and engaging meaningfully with children, families and professionals.
- Courage leading with courage, making bold and compassionate decisions that put children first.
At Tameside, we are committed to ensuring all our Citizens lead long, fulfilling and healthy lives. We are committed to supporting economic growth, providing high quality health and care services, protecting our most vulnerable and creating strong and supportive, self-sufficient communities.
We recognise that our people drive our success and enable the organisation to deliver on its vision, purpose and priorities, and that our people are our most important resource and asset. Our values underpin our practice and behaviours, and are at the heart of everything that we do; and we understand that how we do things is just as important as what we do. We pride ourselves on living by our STRIVE values of Support, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Value Diversity and Engage.
Our employees’ skills, experience and knowledge are essential to our success along with their happiness, wellbeing, commitment, enthusiasm and motivation to be the best they can be.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This position is subject to Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure Procedures.
This post is classified as being in a professional job category. As such the grade for the job has a professional grade development bar which employees can progress through subject to meeting the following criteria:
- Relevant professional qualification for the job role at Level 6 or above, AND
- Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in the role, AND
- Maintained membership of a regulated body where this is a requirement to practice in the role where applicable, AND
- Professional standards practised to the highest expected level.
This post is a designated customer facing role under the fluency duty and requires a specified level of spoken English in the person specification.
If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.
Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.
We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.
For further information about this role please contact Philip Wilkinson Head of Family Help & Neighbourhood Social Work philip.wilkinson@tameside.gov.uk 07808212083 for information regarding Safeguarding vacancies.
Senior Practitioner employer: Tameside Council
Contact Detail:
Tameside Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, attend local events, and engage with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to safeguarding and child welfare. Use role-play with friends or colleagues to build confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion during interviews! Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in children's lives and how your values align with Tameside's mission. Authenticity goes a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining Team Tameside and contributing to our improvement journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for making a difference shine through. Use examples from your experience that highlight your compassion and commitment to supporting children and families.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure your supporting statement is tailored to the role. Address the essential requirements in the person specification directly, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications or training that make you a great fit for the Senior Practitioner position.
Keep It Concise: Remember, your supporting statement should be no more than 2 pages. Be concise and clear in your writing, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills that align with Tameside’s values and the job description.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. This way, you can ensure all your documents are submitted correctly and you’ll be kept updated on your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tameside Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand Tameside's values and the specific requirements of the Senior Practitioner role. Familiarise yourself with their Heart of Support Practice Approach, as this will show your genuine interest and alignment with their mission.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in social work, particularly those that highlight your compassion, collaboration, and courage. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've positively influenced children and families in your past roles.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, and the improvement journey Tameside is on. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way. Be open about your passion for making a difference in children's lives and how you embody the STRIVE values. Let your personality shine through, as they’re looking for someone who fits well within their supportive team culture.