At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct return interviews for children missing from care and provide essential support.
- Company: The Children's Society, dedicated to helping vulnerable children for over 140 years.
- Benefits: Enhanced maternity/paternity leave, pension matching, free counselling, and paid volunteering time.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to safeguarding and supporting children across England and Wales.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
- Qualifications: Experience working with vulnerable children and conducting assessments of need and risk.
The predicted salary is between 33865 - 41391 £ per year.
To deliver the Missing From Home Return Interview Service, the successful applicant will work within a multi-disciplinary approach in response to children missing from care. Ensuring that children and young people who are at risk of or are missing, are kept safe and supported to reduce or prevent missing episodes.
Benefits include but are not limited to:
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave
- We match up to 8% pension
- Free counselling service
- Opportunities to develop and widen your skills
- 2 days of paid volunteering time per annum to support another part of the organisation
About us:
The Children's Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We deliver essential local services that provide safe, trusted support to children and young people during times of significant need.
Our Youth Impact domain creates impact for children and young people. With highly skilled and experienced staff working across England and Wales, we provide direct support to children, young people, parents and carers, as well as conduct research and influence Government to make changes. We also provide training for professionals. Our value-driven team change the lives of children in this country for the better - and with your help and expertise, tomorrow we can support even more.
Key Responsibilities:
- To complete Missing from Care Return Interviews with children and young people.
- Assess needs and risk, providing short term support.
- Take specific responsibility for direct work with referred children and young people and manage own caseload.
- To co-work interventions with colleagues from the multi-disciplinary team and those in other agencies.
- To ensure all safeguarding procedures are followed and supervised appropriately.
- To work with children and young people to enable them to have a voice and influence in our work.
Experience:
- Experience of working directly with vulnerable children particularly who are missing and in care of local authorities.
- Substantial experience of undertaking assessments of need and risk and planning interventions.
Closing date: Midnight on 27th August 2026
Interviews: Interview date yet to be confirmed.
The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protection of the children and young people we work with. As such, our safer recruitment process includes a Basic or Enhanced DBS check, 5 years of references, and additional vetting checks relevant to the role. We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices across all areas of our organisation.
In support of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, shortlisting is carried out on an anonymised basis. Personal details are hidden from the shortlisting panel, and candidates are referenced by a candidate number only. As part of this process, we ask that your CV is anonymised before submission - this means removing personal information such as your name, contact details, age, and any other identifying details.
AI tools can support your application but only when used appropriately. You're welcome to use them to improve clarity, structure, and research. However, overuse or misuse (e.g. inventing experience or using AI during assessments) may lead to rejection at any stage. We want to hear the real you - authenticity matters.
Sessional Missing from Care Practitioner North West in Manchester employer: The Children's Society
The Children's Society is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people across the UK. With a supportive work culture that values employee development, you will have access to benefits such as a generous pension scheme, free counselling services, and opportunities to enhance your skills while working in a collaborative environment. Located in Washington, Tyne & Wear, this role offers flexibility and the chance to engage with your community, all while contributing to a vital cause.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sessional Missing from Care Practitioner North West in Manchester
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to The Children's Society, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Sessional Missing from Care Practitioner North West in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of The Children's Society. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at The Children's Society. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Children's Society
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with The Children's Society.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Sessional Missing from Care Practitioner North West role at The Children's Society, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show The Children's Society that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
