Advanced Practitioner - Safeguarding and Support Team

Opus People Solutions; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 54,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Reflective supervision

Supportive management structure

Strong team relationships

Staff development

Job summary

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking an experienced Practitioner to join its Safeguarding & Support Team. You will manage complex child-in-need and child-protection cases within a restorative practice framework, delivering high-quality assessments and plans.

This temporary role requires 37 hours per week, with core hours and a requirement to be in the office at least two days a week. A DBS check may be applicable.

Qualifications

• Must hold a recognised Social Work qualification.
• Current registration with Social Work England.
• ASYE completed with at least 3 years' permanent experience as a statutory Children's Social Worker.
• Proven experience in Child Protection and Child in Need work.
• Experience working in safeguarding teams.
• Strong assessment, analytical, court work and report-writing skills.
• Ability to manage complex cases and make sound professional decisions.
• Commitment to restorative practice and relationship-based social work.

Responsibilities

• Manage a complex caseload of up to 20 children across CIN, CP, Court and Adoption work.
• Make timely decisions in accordance with legislation, policies, and departmental procedures.
• Undertake assessments in line with the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and Their Families.
• Develop and implement family-led, restorative plans based on assessed needs.
• Promote partnership working and meaningful participation with children, young people, and their families.
• Complete regular reviews of plans, evaluate outcomes, and adapt interventions where required.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic and manual case records.
• Prepare detailed and high-quality reports for child protection conferences, statutory reviews, court proceedings, and other formal panels.
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies to deliver coordinated support and safeguard children effectively.
• Actively participate in supervision, performance management, and continuous professional development activities.

Skills

Social Work qualification

Social Work England registration

ASYE completed

Child Protection & CIN experience

Safeguarding team experience

Assessment

Court work

Report writing

Complex caseload management

Professional decision making

Restorative practice

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

About the Role

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking an experienced Practitioner to join its Safeguarding & Support Team. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly skilled practitioner with significant safeguarding experience to work within a supportive and progressive local authority.Location: Council House, Manor Square, Solihull B91 3QBRate: £33.30 per hour (Umbrella rate)Contract: TemporaryHours: 37 hours per week - core working hours: Monday to Thursday: 8:45am - 5:20pm, Friday: 8:45am - 4:30pmOffice Requirements: Minimum 2 days per week in the office, plus additional office attendance during duty week (1 week in every 4)The team works with children and families across Child in Need, Child Protection, Court, and Adoption pathways, delivering high-quality, restorative interventions that achieve positive outcomes for children. As a restorative local authority, Solihull is committed to working in partnership with families and professionals to build on strengths, promote resilience, and create sustainable change.

Staff benefit from:

• Reflective supervision that prioritises both practice development and wellbeing.
• A collaborative and supportive management structure.
• Strong team relationships and a positive working culture.
• A clear commitment to staff development and professional growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a complex caseload of up to 20 children across Child in Need, Child Protection, Court, and Adoption work.
• Make timely and appropriate decisions in accordance with legislation, policies, and departmental procedures.
• Undertake assessments in line with the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and Their Families.
• Develop and implement family-led, restorative plans based on assessed needs.
• Promote partnership working and meaningful participation with children, young people, and their families.
• Complete regular reviews of plans, evaluate outcomes, and adapt interventions where required.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic and manual case records.
• Prepare detailed and high-quality reports for child protection conferences, statutory reviews, court proceedings, and other formal panels.
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies to deliver coordinated support and safeguard children effectively.
• Actively participate in supervision, performance management, and continuous professional development activities.

About You

• A recognised Social Work qualification.
• Current registration with Social Work England.
• ASYE completed with at least 3 years' permanent experience as a statutory Children's Social Worker.
• Proven experience managing Child Protection and Child in Need cases.
• Experience working within safeguarding teams is essential.
• Strong assessment, analytical, court work, and report-writing skills.
• The ability to manage complex cases and make sound professional decisions.
• A commitment to restorative practice and relationship-based social work.

If you are an Advanced Practitioner with a strong safeguarding background and are looking for your next opportunity within a supportive, restorative local authority, we'd love to hear from you.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. A DBS check may be applicable for this role, applicants are required to declare any cautions and convictions that are not protected under current filtering rules. If successful, candidates will be required to provide information to support the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's commitment to the prevention and detection of fraud. This information will be processed by the Council's Internal Audit Services and may be shared with the National Fraud Initiative (NFI) for data matching.