Advanced / Senior Practitioner in Stoke-on-Trent

Advanced / Senior Practitioner – Level 11 (Children's Services) Location: Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Civic Centre, ST4 1RN Area: West Midlands Children's Social Care Pay: £21.65 per hour PAYE | £33.30 per hour Umbrella / Ltd (inclusive of HPIL) Job Type: Temporary / Agency Contract Length: 23 November 2026 – 21 February 2027 Job Overview Stoke-on-Trent City Council is seeking an experienced Advanced / Senior Social Work Practitioner (Level 11) to join its established Children's Services Family Help Team. This is an excellent opportunity for a confident and experienced Children's Social Worker with a strong background in long-term safeguarding to support children and families through complex and challenging circumstances. The role will focus on managing a caseload of Children in Need (CIN) and Child Protection (CP) cases, delivering consistent, relationship-based social work and ensuring children receive the appropriate support and protection. Please note: This is a long-term safeguarding role within a CIN/CP team and is not a Duty and Assessment position. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the learning and development of colleagues, providing additional practice support and demonstrating the skills and experience associated with an advanced or senior practitioner role. You will be required to use the Liquidlogic case management system and attend the Stoke-on-Trent office for a minimum of 2–3 days per week. Key Responsibilities * Manage a complex caseload of Children in Need and Child Protection cases, ensuring children's needs, safety and welfare remain central to all interventions. * Undertake comprehensive assessments and develop effective plans to safeguard children and promote positive outcomes. * Work directly with children, families and carers, building trusting and meaningful professional relationships. * Lead and contribute to Child Protection meetings, reviews, case discussions and multi-agency planning. * Identify, assess and manage risks, responding appropriately to changing family circumstances and safeguarding concerns. About You We are looking for an experienced and committed Children's Social Worker who is confident managing complex, long-term safeguarding cases and can demonstrate strong practice within Children in Need and Child Protection services. You will have excellent assessment, analytical and communication skills, alongside the ability to make sound professional decisions and manage risk effectively. As an Advanced / Senior Practitioner, you will also bring experience beyond standard case-holding responsibilities, with the ability to support colleagues, contribute to practice development and share your knowledge and expertise to strengthen the wider team. You will be a collaborative and resilient practitioner who is passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children and families. Requirements * Qualified Social Worker with a recognised Social Work qualification. * Current registration with Social Work England. * Contract & Salary * Council: Stoke-on-Trent City Council * Location: Civic Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1RN * Area: West Midlands * Job Type: Temporary / Agency * Contract Dates: 23 November 2026 – 21 February 2027 * * Completion of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE). * Minimum of three years' post-qualification experience. * Strong experience working with Children in Need and Child Protection cases. * Proven ability to manage complex, long-term safeguarding caseloads. * Experience undertaking assessments, care planning and risk management. * Experience of supporting colleagues, contributing to practice development or sharing learning with others. * Ability to use the Liquidlogic case management system. * Excellent knowledge of children's safeguarding legislation and statutory frameworks. * Strong communication, report-writing and multi-agency working skills. * Ability to work effectively as part of an established and supportive team. * Availability to work from Stoke-on-Trent for a minimum of 2–3 days per week