Senior Practitioner – Children in Care – North Essex

Overview

In this role you lead and mentor the Children in Care team, applying relationship-based social work to secure positive outcomes for children in care. You will manage complex cases, support colleagues, and deputise for the Team Manager, while fostering collaboration with external partners. You’ll drive professional development and contribute to service development, with an emphasis on innovative, evidence-based practices. This is a chance to shape care planning and support outcomes at scale within a dynamic council.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible working options
• support for unpaid carers
• opportunities for professional development
• disability confident employer
• employee wellbeing and inclusion program
• carer support policies

Responsibilities

• Lead in a practice area and mentor junior social workers
• Provide professional guidance and feedback to the team and support the Team Manager
• Manage complex cases, seek supervision as required, and maintain up-to-date activity records
• Represent ECC in court proceedings and participate in legal case discussions and reviews
• Attend and chair strategy meetings and team around the placement/child meetings
• Contribute to quality assurance through case file audits and practice evaluation
• Stay current on legislation and policy developments relevant to children in care and safeguarding
• Support staff development and act as an expert consultant to schools, Children & Families
• Undertake occasional evening/weekend activities as required by the directorate
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade

Key requirements

• Diploma or degree in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent and registration with Social Work England
• Qualified Practice Educator or willingness to train as a Practice Educator
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• IT/Word processing skills
• Experience at an experienced social worker level with Children Services
• Experience in Child Protection work and section 47 investigations and assessments
• Experience of court work in Child Care matters and understanding of the legal process
• Knowledge of CA1989, CJA1991 and related legislation; knowledge of child development theories

• strong communication and interpersonal skills
• leadership and mentoring
• partnership building and collaboration
• IT/Word Processing skills
• case documentation and reporting
• participation in court and panel procedures

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