At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support children and families, making a real difference in their lives.
- Company: Join Wakefield Council, dedicated to improving community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, hybrid working, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive work environment with great career growth and wellbeing initiatives.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team driving positive change for children and young people.
- Qualifications: Level 5 or Degree Level qualification in social care or related field required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about making a difference to our children and families in Wakefield? Then, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team.
About the Role
The Senior Practitioner is responsible for supporting the team manager in leading a team of practitioners to deliver a high quality early help service. The role includes some case holding, line management and supporting staff to manage complex cases to reduce risk, provide support and make positive change for children and young people.
Key Responsibilities
- Supporting the team manager to deliver an early help service in central Wakefield
- Line managing staff
- Supporting team development
- Managing data and performance within the team
- Providing management cover in the absence of the team manager, supported by other team managers
- Mentoring staff and students
- Holding a reduced caseload
- Attending multi-agency meetings
What will be expected from me
- To work with families and partner agencies to provide a high level of support and reduce adverse factors and risk for children and young people
- To line manage, support and mentor staff and students who are case holding
- To train and upskill staff and students
- To contribute to and lead team meetings
- To attend regular senior practitioner meetings and team manager meetings periodically
- To cover the manager in their absence, to manage the team and cover any meetings
- To support the team to adjust to the expectations of the social care reforms currently underway
Essential requirements
- Recognised Level 5 or Degree Level qualification in a related field or a professional qualification in a relevant discipline e.g. social care, health, education, police, probation, youth work.
- Ability to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge and skill gained through relevant experience and employment.
- Evidence of maintaining skill and knowledge base in professional field through post qualifying training or awards.
- This post will require the ability to travel around the district. A full driving licence is required (unless unable to drive through disability).
- A substantial understanding of the research base in reducing adverse outcomes for children, young people and families.
- A thorough understanding of the principles that support and promote the wellbeing of children, young people and families.
- Substantial knowledge of child and adolescent growth and development.
- A thorough understanding of the legislative and policy framework that underpins work with children, young people and families.
- Knowledge and understanding of evidence-based practice and how this informs service delivery.
- Knowledge of the impact of parental difficulties and factors in family stress on the child’s health, development and wellbeing at different stages during childhood and adolescence.
- A thorough understanding of the key principles of effective multi-agency and partnership working.
- Knowledge of the respective roles and responsibilities of other professionals and how they contribute to effective early help services for children and families.
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of statutory guidance, legislation and current policy relating to safeguarding.
- An understanding of the principles of effective supervision of staff.
- A detailed knowledge of the principles of quality assurance and audit.
- A good understanding of the barriers that certain groups experience in accessing services and support.
- Thorough understanding of the principles of effective safeguarding in working with children, young people and families.
- Substantial experience of working directly with children, young people and families in a relevant setting.
- Experience of being part of leading a team in the design and delivery of support services for children, young people and families.
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary setting, drawing on the strengths of agencies in the contribution they can make to improving positive outcomes for young people.
- Experience of guiding, advising and supervising staff, students/trainees/volunteers in direct work and in supporting their professional development.
- Experience of evaluating and reviewing delivery and performance against set targets and operating within a performance management framework.
- Experience of involving children, young people and families in the design, delivery and review of services.
- A thorough and detailed knowledge and understanding of information sharing and confidentiality policies and guidance.
What can I expect
- A competitive salary
- Generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy up to 10 extra days of annual leave
- Hybrid working (subject to role suitability)
- Access to high-quality training programs to advance your career to the next level.
- We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We recognise that resilient teams need good work-life balance as well as supportive leadership.
- Discounted and subsidised public transport (Arriva Bus Annual Travel Ticket, Northern Trains Limited (NTL), MetroCard).
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and a Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) scheme providing a tax efficient way to increase our pension.
- Great range of benefits including an Employee Assistant Programme, discounted membership to our excellent leisure facilities with free 12 weeks exercise program, discounts for a range of retail, entertainment, health and leisure providers, a cycle to work scheme, and many more.
Want to know more
If you would like to know more about the role, the recruitment process or working for Wakefield Council, feel free to contact.
Name: Sarah Cooper
Tel: 07917 121809
E-mail: sarahcooper@wakefield.gov.uk
Early Help Senior Practitioner in Wakefield employer: Wakefield Council
Wakefield Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of children and families in the community. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer generous holiday entitlements, hybrid working options, and access to high-quality training programmes that foster professional growth. Our supportive work culture encourages collaboration and resilience, ensuring that our staff are equipped to deliver outstanding early help services while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Help Senior Practitioner in Wakefield
✨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 Wakefield Council.
✨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 Wakefield Council!
✨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 Wakefield Council, 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 Wakefield Council 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 Early Help Senior Practitioner in Wakefield
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 Wakefield Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Wakefield Council! 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 Wakefield Council
✨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.
