Advanced Practitioner (Two Posts Available) Shepton Mallet (Mendip)

The Methodist Church in Britain; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible and hybrid working

Job summary

Somerset Council invites applications for an Advanced Practitioner within the Family Safeguarding Team (Shepton Mallet). The post handles Child in Need, child protection, and pre-proceedings, with mentoring, practice education and chairing planning meetings and Strategy Discussions.

You will support families affected by domestic abuse, mental health needs and substance misuse, and flexible duties can be shaped around the postholder. Social Work England registration is required.

Qualifications

• Must have Social Work qualification.
• Social Work England registration is required.
• Significant post-qualification experience in safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Hold a complex caseload of Child in Need, Child Protection and pre-proceedings and court work.
• Work across agencies so that plans meet identified needs and are delivered at the right level for each family.
• Chair planning meetings and Strategy Discussions.
• Mentor less experienced colleagues and educate social work students.
• Co-work cases with team members.
• Quality-assure care planning in the area teams.
• Attend Advanced Practitioner meetings and contribute ideas to build team knowledge and skills.
• Develop practice specialisms and link with colleagues countywide and partner agencies to share expertise.

Skills

Relationship building

Problem solving

Workload management

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

This Advanced Practitioner post sits in the Family Safeguarding Team at Shepton Mallet within Somerset Council. The role combines a complex caseload of Child in Need, child protection and pre-proceedings work with mentoring colleagues, practice education and chairing planning meetings and Strategy Discussions. The team supports parents and carers affected by domestic abuse, mental health needs and substance misuse, and the balance of duties can be shaped around the postholder. Social Work England registration is required and visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Hold a complex caseload of Child in Need, Child Protection and pre-proceedings and court work
• Work across agencies so that plans meet identified needs and are delivered at the right level for each family
• Chair planning meetings and Strategy Discussions
• Mentor less experienced colleagues and educate social work students
• Co-work cases with team members
• Quality-assure care planning in the area teams
• Attend Advanced Practitioner meetings and contribute ideas to build team knowledge and skills
• Develop practice specialisms and link with colleagues countywide and partner agencies to share expertise

Qualifications

• Social Work qualification

Registration & licences

• Social Work England registration

Experience

• Significant post-qualification experience in safeguarding

Skills & knowledge

• Building strong, supportive working relationships with children, young people, parents, carers and professional agencies
• Strong problem-solving skills and calm handling of unexpected situations
• Managing and prioritising workload and competing demands

Checks & eligibility

• Criminal background check via the Disclosure procedure
• Right to work in the UK without sponsorship

What’s offered

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working where service needs allow
• Health and wellbeing support, including confidential employee assistance services
• Paid volunteering opportunities
• Bespoke CPD and learning and development programme
• Career progression opportunities in Somerset