At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team of practitioners to enhance mental health and wellbeing for young people.
- Company: Dare2Dream Foundation, dedicated to improving lives of vulnerable children.
- Benefits: Rewarding role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment focused on continuous improvement and safeguarding excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health support and strong coaching skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
The Dare2Dream Foundation is looking for a passionate and experienced Lead Practitioner to support our Mental Health & Wellbeing Practitioners across North Hampshire. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is committed to improving the lives of vulnerable children and young people through high-quality social, emotional and wellbeing support. Working closely with the Regional SEND Coordinator, you will play a key role in supporting staff development, maintaining service quality, promoting safeguarding excellence, and ensuring positive outcomes for children and young people.
If you are an experienced practitioner who enjoys coaching others, leading by example, and helping colleagues develop confidence and best practice, we'd love to hear from you.
About the Role
As a Lead Practitioner, you will maintain a reduced caseload of children and young people while providing guidance and support to a designated team of practitioners. Key responsibilities include:
- Coaching, mentoring and supporting practitioners within your team
- Modelling best practice in planning, session delivery and report writing
- Conducting quality assurance observations and providing developmental feedback
- Supporting staff with risk assessments, safeguarding processes and session planning
- Delivering targeted training and reflective practice sessions
- Conducting regular one-to-one support meetings with practitioners
- Supporting the continuous improvement of service delivery
- Acting as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the county
- Maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with organisational policies
Lead Practitioner employer: The Dare2Dream Foundation
The Dare2Dream Foundation is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people in South Hampshire. With a supportive team culture, competitive salary, and extensive benefits including fully funded training and personal development opportunities, we empower our staff to grow and excel in their roles. Join us in a hybrid working environment where your contributions will be valued, and you can truly make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Practitioner
✨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 The Dare2Dream Foundation.
✨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 The Dare2Dream Foundation!
✨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 The Dare2Dream Foundation, 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 The Dare2Dream Foundation 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 Lead Practitioner
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 The Dare2Dream Foundation:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Dare2Dream Foundation! 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 The Dare2Dream Foundation
✨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.
