Senior Practitioner – Children in Care, West Essex

Overview

Senior Practitioner leading the Children in Care (CIC) team within Essex County Council, driving mentoring, reflective supervision, and multi-agency collaboration. You will deputise for the Team Manager and shape practice areas, delivering high-quality care planning and safeguarding for children in care. The role combines leadership with hands-on social work to foster a supportive, learning culture. You will work across a broad area, contributing to service development and professional development opportunities.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible working options
• support for unpaid carers
• professional development opportunities
• disability Confident Leader status
• opportunities for career progression
• annual DBS update service

Responsibilities

• Provide team leadership and supervision
• Mentor and support newly qualified and less experienced staff
• Facilitate reflective group supervision
• Oversee the team’s duty service
• Deputise for the Team Manager when needed
• Lead in a practice area and contribute to service development

Key requirements

• Recognised social work qualification with current Social Work England registration
• Continued professional development aligned to competency frameworks
• Significant social work experience with up-to-date knowledge of legislation and guidance
• Experience mentoring students and staff
• Experience chairing meetings with clients, families, and multi-agency professionals
• Strong relationship-building with partners and community
• Understanding of value-for-money interventions and risk-informed decisions
• Mobility to travel across Essex and beyond; driving licence or alternative mobility solutions

• mentoring
• leadership
• communication
• professional social work practice
• knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance
• CPD aligned to competency frameworks

…