Senior Practitioner

Overview

In this Senior Practitioner role, you join Dover’s Children’s Social Work Service to lead and support complex cases across a broad Kent area. You’ll model high-quality social work practice, coach colleagues, and deputise for the Team Manager when needed. The position focuses on safeguarding children, working with families, and guiding social workers to deliver positive outcomes. You’ll operate in a fast-paced, child-centred environment and travel as required to support children and families. This is a people-led, development-focused opportunity within a large, mission-driven council.

Pay / Benefits

• Starting salary: 47,990
• Annual Retention Premium: 5,000
• Golden Hello: 3,000
• Relocation: up to 8,000
• Annual Leave: 30 days

Responsibilities

• Lead and deputise in the absence of the Team Manager
• Coach and mentor social workers to deliver high-quality practice
• Work with complex families to safeguard and support children
• Conduct and oversee Child and Family Assessments and Section 47 investigations
• Collaborate with partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people
• Support progression of cases through Child in Need, Child Protection plans, and Public Law Outline processes
• Travel within Kent and beyond to support children in care or specific family circumstances
• Maintain up-to-date safeguarding knowledge and apply the practice framework

Key requirements

• Social Work degree or equivalent
• Professional registration (Social Work England)
• Extensive post-qualifying experience
• Experience with complex families and care proceedings
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and legislative frameworks
• Ability to deliver outstanding social work practice and support team development

• excellent communication
• adaptability
• organisational skills
• safeguarding procedures
• care proceedings
• Child and Family Assessments

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