Advanced Practitioner - Separated Children & Young People Team

Opus People Solutions; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking an experienced Advanced Practitioner to join the Separated Children & Young People Team. You will support vulnerable separated children, deliver statutory interventions, complete assessments, and work with partner agencies to secure positive outcomes.

The role is 37 hours per week, hybrid working with 2 days in the office and 3 from home, based at Council House, Solihull. Temporary contract for 3 months with possible extension.

Qualifications

• Hold a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with SW England.
• ASYE completed with at least 3 years' permanent experience as a statutory Children's Social Worker.
• Experience with Separated Children and Age Assessments is advantageous.
• Strong assessment, analytical, report-writing, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide a high-quality social work service to separated children and young people.
• Undertake assessments in line with the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families.
• Manage complex cases and ensure timely interventions that promote positive outcomes.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with children, young people, carers, and partner agencies.
• Prepare high-quality reports for statutory reviews, panels, and court proceedings when required.
• Maintain case records in line with policies and procedures.

Skills

Assessment

Report writing

Decision making

Multi-agency working

Safeguarding

Child-centred practice

Education

Social Work qualification

ASYE completed

Registration with Social Work England

Job description

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Advanced Practitioner to join Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's Separated Children & Young People Team. This specialist role focuses on supporting vulnerable separated children and young people, ensuring their welfare, safety, and development are promoted through high-quality social work practice. You will play a key role in delivering statutory interventions, completing assessments, and working collaboratively with partner agencies to secure the best possible outcomes for young people.

The successful candidate will be an experienced practitioner with a strong understanding of safeguarding, assessment, care planning, and multi-agency working. Experience working with Separated Children and undertaking Age Assessments would be a distinct advantage.

Location: Council House, Manor Square, Solihull B91 3QB

Rate: £33.30 per hour (Umbrella rate)

Contract: Temporary - initial 3 months, subject to review and potential extension

Hours: 37 hours per week

Office Requirements: 2 days per week office-based, 3 days per week working from home. Mandatory office attendance required during duty weeks, supervision sessions, and team/service meetings.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a high-quality social work service to separated children and young people.
• Undertake assessments in line with the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families.
• Manage complex cases and ensure timely interventions that promote positive outcomes.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with children, young people, carers, colleagues, and partner agencies.
• Promote integrated and partnership working to ensure a coordinated response to identified needs.
• Develop, implement, and review care plans, ensuring children and young people remain central to all decision-making.
• Carry out regular reviews of individual plans, recording outcomes and updating plans accordingly.
• Prepare high-quality reports for statutory reviews, panels, child protection conferences, and court proceedings where required.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic and manual case records in line with departmental policies and procedures.
• Fulfil all statutory duties relating to allocated casework.
• Support the development of best practice within the team and service.
• Participate fully in supervision, performance management, training, and professional development activities.
• Operate at all times in accordance with Social Work England Professional Standards and the Professional Capabilities Framework.

About You

• 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.
• Experience working with vulnerable children and young people in a statutory setting.
• Strong assessment, analytical, report-writing, and decision-making skills.
• Experience working effectively within a multi-agency environment.
• The ability to manage complex casework and deliver high-quality interventions.
• A sound understanding of relevant legislation, safeguarding responsibilities, and child-centred practice.
• Experience working with Separated Children and Young People.
• Experience conducting Age Assessments.
• A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle.

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.