Advanced Practitioner PD Hub | £51,928

Barnsley; Barnsley; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnsley Council’s Children and Family Social Care Service is seeking an Advanced Practitioner to join the Practice Development Hub on a fixed-term basis. The role focuses on developing training, mentoring social workers, and shaping professional development without case holding responsibilities.

You will work with the Practice Development Manager and Principal Social Worker to deliver CPD, drive multi‑agency best practice, and support Newly Qualified Social Workers through ASYE programs, with

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker with Social Work England registration.
• Significant post-qualification experience including supervision and mentoring.
• Practice Educator qualification desirable.
• Experience in delivering CPD and training to social workers.
• No case holding responsibility in this role.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver training for Children’s Social Care and drive best practice.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to embed audit insights into training.
• Partner with Colleges and Universities to foster multi-agency learning.
• Ensure staff have resources and tools for professional development.
• Mentor colleagues and support practitioners in the Social Work Academy.
• Mentor Practice Educators and supervise student social workers on placement.
• Supervise Newly Qualified Social Workers in ASYE alongside team managers.

Skills

Mentoring

Supervision

Training delivery

Multi-agency collaboration

Practice development

Education

Social Work qualification

Registration with Social Work England

Tools

Quality Assurance

Audit learning

Job description

Position reference: 50134223

Directorate: Children's Services Service: Children & Family Social Care

Salary : £51,928

Working Arrangements : agile, min 3 days in the office

This is a full-time role. We are committed to supporting work-life balance, and requests for flexible working, including job share, will be considered in line with the needs of the service. Given the requirement for continuity of support to service users, any flexible working arrangements would need to ensure consistency in case management.

Hours per week : 37

Contract type: Fixed term until 31/3/2028

We are happy to talk flexible working arrangements with you, please get in touch .

Suitable for Secondment: Employees wishing to be considered for secondment should agree with their head of service before submitting an application form

See our range of Employee Rewards:

Closing date : 11/09/2026a t 23:59

The successful candidate will be required to speak English to an appropriate standard.

This post requires an Enhanced DBS Check

If you are currently living overseas or have lived overseas in the last five years please be aware, if you are the preferred candidate for the post, you will be required to apply for an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have resided in. If you experience difficulty in obtaining an overseas criminal record check please email

When applying, please ensure you are prepared to start work with all the necessary legal documents, such as a valid visa, relevant to the type of work you will be undertaking. Please be aware that our organisation does not possess a Home Office license and, as a result, is unable to provide sponsorship for anyone seeking a visa as a skilled or temporary migrant worker.

Pensions Regulations have provisions to reduce pension payments in certain circumstances of those who return to work within local government service. If you are in receipt of a pension upon commencing employment with the authority, this may affect your pension entitlements and you should therefore seek advice from the relevant Pensions Authority.

About the Post:

This is an exciting time to join Barnsley Children and Family Social Care Service who are seeking to recruit an Advanced Practitioner to join our Practice Development Hub to cover an internal secondment. Our service has a genuine commitment to supporting our teams and social workers to deliver the very best outcomes for our children and young people which makes it the perfect time for forward thinking, motivated and dedicated practitioners to join us in Barnsley.

As part of our commitment to the development of children's services we are aspirational for our workforce and ensuring that our staff have the support and training they need to do their job to the very best of their ability. We currently have an opportunity for an Advanced Practitioner who will have a key role in shaping and developing social work practice, sitting within our Practice Development Hub. You will not be expected to have case holding responsibility in this role.

You will work with colleagues in the Hub and alongside the Practice Development Manager and Principal Social Worker to develop, drive and deliver our continuous professional development and training offer for children ' s social workers and practitioners. In this role you will:

• Develop and deliver training, support learning and drive best practice across Children ' s Social Care
• Work closely with the Quality Assurance Team to ensure that learning from audit is embedded in our training and development
• Work with partners, including Colleges and Universities, to drive multi agency working and good practice across services
• Ensure that staff and teams have the resources and tools to support their professional development
• Offer mentoring and support to colleagues
• Play a key role in the Social Work Academy, ensuring that apprentices and Newly Qualified Social Workers have the very best start to their career
• Offer mentoring to Practice Educators and assess and support student social workers on placement in Barnsley

' Alongside team managers, provide supervision, support and guidance to Newly Qualified Social Workers in their Assessed and Supported Year in practice

This role requires a recognised Social Work qualification, registration with Social Work England and significant post qualification experience, including supervision and mentoring. A Practice Educator qualification is also desirable

How do we sum up Barnsley Council?

In Barnsley we believe in working collaboratively with our families, which is underpinned by an evidence and strengths based practice model, which includes Signs of Safety and Restorative Practice.

We are an Ofsted rated 'Good' Childrens Services and a double award-winning, high-performing council with a growing economy, a thriving town centre and some truly impressive outcomes in our communities. We have been awarded Council of the Year for 2023 by the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) and The Municipal Journal (MJ). Our excellent Children's Services has been a key part of our win; we're so proud of what we've achieved not just for the council but for our partners and Barnsley.

We're impressed. Are you? It's the perfect time to join our excellent team.

If you would like an informal discussion, please contact Caroline Dawkins (Practice Development Manager) on [e-mail]

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 23rd September

Visit our dedicated webpage to hear from our social workers, our Executive Director, and learn more about the role and Children's Services:

Please use the documents below to help support you with your application form.

We welcome the opportunity to have a chat about the role and are happy to address any questions you may have about flexible working arrangements, including as a result of caring responsibilities.

We're committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued and everyone truly feels able to be themselves. If you have any support needs during the recruitment process, please let us know.

CV's are not accepted for this role.

At Barnsley Council, we believe in second chances and value diversity. Our recruitment process is inclusive, and we welcome applicants with past convictions. We're committed to fairness and do not discriminate. Join us in building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. #InclusiveHiring #SecondChances