Advanced Practitioner (Kinship Service)

Manchester City Council; Manchester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in Manchester is seeking a Senior Social Worker for a Special Guardianship role. This two-year position focuses on enhancing support for kinship families and requires strong social work expertise. The successful candidate will lead initiatives to improve service delivery and work closely with families and partners to ensure children's safety and well-being. Applicants must hold a Social Work qualification and have a valid driving license. This role offers a full-time contract with additional payments for essential car users.

Benefits

Essential car user allowance

£5,000 market rate supplement

Qualifications

• Must have Social Work Qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Full valid driving licence and own car required.

Responsibilities

• Develop support offer for Special Guardians in Manchester.
• Lead staff awareness and best practices in kinship care.
• Undertake assessments and Support Plans for Special Guardianship.

Skills

Social Work

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Education

Social Work Qualification

Job description

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 Hours per week

Contract Type: Full time / Temporary (24 Months)

Additional Payments: Essential car user allowance / £5,000 market rate supplement

Closing Date: 27 May 2025

Closing time: 11.59pm

Interview Method: In Person (Face to Face)

We have a Special Guardianship Senior Social Work Post available in the Kinship Service. This is a 2-year position for a Senior Practitioner, with a focus on developing our Special Guardianship Support offer. The post holder will be responsible for developing the support offer and working with families and partners to increase the number of children who can achieve permanence via a Special Guardianship Order.

This role is subject to:

• Two references, with a preference for 3 years' employment history.
• Social Work Qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Full valid driving licence and own car, as the post is designated Essential Car User, with allowance.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended 2013).

About The Candidate

We’re seeking individuals who can provide effective, professional social work to kinship carers, aiming to improve lives. You’ll lead and co-work on our Special Guardianship Offer and support your colleagues’ development.

• Identify ways to improve the service and support Manchester's children to be safe and thrive.
• Develop the support offer for Special Guardians in Manchester.
• Lead staff awareness and best practices in this area.
• Support the Kinship and Children’s Teams to achieve our joint goals for kinship families.
• Lead work with ASGSF, The Family Hubs, and the Fostering Hives model.
• Undertake work with children, families, colleagues, partners, and legal departments.
• Contribute to increasing the number of Court-granted Special Guardianship Orders.
• Understand law and family justice system, with ongoing research.
• Undertake assessments and Support Plans for Special Guardianship, demonstrating effective analysis, decision-making, planning, and review.
• Model 'Our Manchester' behaviours.

If you want more information or have questions, contact Billie Walbank at [e-mail]