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- Tasks: Support vulnerable young people aged 14-17 and their families through complex challenges.
- Company: Join Thurrock Council, a supportive team making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on young lives while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work with adolescents and a passion for supporting vulnerable youth.
- Other info: Rated Outstanding by Ofsted, with a focus on continuous learning and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 39600 - 44200 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Salary: £45,624 - £52,038 per annum (plus a £6,000 annual market supplement*)
Grade: F
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
If you are looking for something unique and to progress your own knowledge base and skills this is a great role for you. Thurrock Council are seeking to recruit a senior practitioner to join a small supportive team to provide direct support to children and families. This is an opportunity to shape bespoke services for young people on the edge of care. Join us in our mission to build safety, offer intensive support, and make a lasting impact on the lives of young people and their families.
About the Role
This post will support young people aged 14-17 with duties imposed under different legislation primarily through the Children Act 1989 and associated regulations and guidelines. The post requires an experienced Social Worker who has the skillset to analyse and manage risk and work intensively with young people and their families across CIN, CP and LAC frameworks to reduce risk of familial breakdown and reunify young people with their families. The SW will need to be experienced to enable them to work with complex cases such as young people who are being criminally and/or sexually exploited while working to keep the children with their primary caregivers.
We’re looking for someone who has:
- A passion for working with adolescents aged 14-17.
- Understanding of the complexities faced by young people vulnerable to entering care due to home relationship breakdowns, child exploitation, or outcomes from the youth justice system.
DBS Check: A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an Enhanced level with Children's Barred List is required for this role.
Benefits of Working with Us
- Innovative Approach: Be a part of a team that values both traditionally and alternatively qualified workers, ensuring that support is intensive, creative, and most importantly, led by the young person.
- Protected Low Caseloads: Our multi-disciplinary team work collaboratively and intensively, allowing you to build meaningful relationships and provide focused support.
- Continuous Learning: We encourage out-of-the-box thinking and offer numerous opportunities for professional growth and development.
Rated Outstanding across all areas in our most recent Ofsted Inspection, Thurrock has a friendly and supportive Children’s Services Department and we work within the Signs of Safety model, use a contextual safeguarding approach and are passionate about developing social work staff with a good training and development offer.
At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Excellent remuneration package inclusive of basic salary and market supplement*
- Generous annual leave entitlement - 25 days rising to 30 after 5 years' service
- Career average pension scheme
- Relocation packages
- Salary sacrifice schemes such as childcare vouchers and cycle to work schemes
- Flexible working to enable work life balance.
- Maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave above the statutory minimum
- Reflective supervision and management support
- 24-hour health advice and support
- Excellent training opportunities and an established CPD programme
- Funded DBS
- Mileage 45p per mile
Important Dates
- Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 12th February 2026
- Closing Date (Internal & External): 22nd February 2026
- Interview Date: Week commencing TBC
Additional Information
For any role related questions please contact the hiring Adolescent CE & Missing team manager Seema Moules - SMoules@thurrock.gov.uk
To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below: Download JD
As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management is required for all Safeguarding roles. Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application. If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.
About us
Why Thurrock? Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve. Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead. This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.
Our location
Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents. We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes. Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.
Staff benefits
We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.
Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification. We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.
For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council
Senior Practitioner - Adolescent, CE & Missing Team in Grays employer: Thurrock Council
Contact Detail:
Thurrock Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Adolescent, CE & Missing Team in Grays
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. 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 researching the organisation and its values. Understand their approach to working with adolescents and families, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your passion for supporting young people and how you’ve tackled complex cases in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the lives of young people.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner - Adolescent, CE & Missing Team in Grays
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for in a Senior Practitioner.
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for working with adolescents and your commitment to making a difference. Share specific examples of how you've supported young people in the past, especially in challenging situations.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key points stand out. This helps us quickly see why you're a great fit for our team.
Follow the Instructions: Don’t forget to include all required documents, like the Gaps in Employment form and any relevant qualifications. Following our application guidelines shows attention to detail, which is crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thurrock Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key legislation and frameworks relevant to the role, like the Children Act 1989. Brush up on your knowledge about child exploitation and the challenges faced by adolescents aged 14-17. This will show that you’re not just interested in the job, but that you understand the complexities involved.
✨Showcase Your Passion
During the interview, let your passion for working with young people shine through. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your commitment to supporting adolescents, especially those at risk. This will help the interviewers see that you’re genuinely invested in making a difference.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage complex cases. Think of examples from your past work where you successfully navigated challenging situations, particularly involving vulnerable young people. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, support structures, and professional development opportunities. This shows that you’re not only interested in the role but also in how you can grow within the organisation and contribute to its mission.