Advanced Practitoner Social Worker

LinsCare; Catford; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Umbrella pay arrangement

Job summary

LinsCare in Lewisham is seeking an experienced Advanced Practitioner to lead the Kinship Service in Catford, London. This locum/agency contract role focuses on expert practice leadership, kinship assessments and improving outcomes for children and families.

The role includes supervising social workers, guiding on high‑risk cases, and ensuring quality assurance across Regulation 24 assessments, with opportunities for professional development and reflective practice.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with current registration
• Significant experience in children's social care and kinship assessments
• Strong knowledge of Regulation 24 and statutory guidance
• Experience managing complex high‑risk cases
• Ability to provide leadership, supervision and staff development

Responsibilities

• Complete and quality-assure Regulation 24 assessments and other kinship service assessments
• Manage complex high‑risk social care cases, providing expert advice to colleagues
• Provide supervision, mentoring and professional support to social workers and students
• Support compliance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, local policies and practice frameworks
• Lead quality assurance activities including case audits and thematic reviews
• Facilitate group supervision and reflective practice sessions
• Identify training needs and contribute to continuing professional development
• Support Practice Educator and ASYE arrangements
• Promote reflective, relationship-based social work practice
• Champion staff wellbeing and meaningful carer involvement
• Deputise for the Team Manager when required

Skills

Supervision

Mentoring

Report writing

Communication

Education

Social work qualification

Registration with Social Work England

Job description

Advanced Practitioner - Kinship Service

Location: Catford, Lewisham, London

Pay Rate: £41.10 per hour (Umbrella)

Job Type: Locum / Agency Contract

Service Area: Children's Social Care - Kinship Service

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Advanced Practitioner to join the Kinship Service in Lewisham, based in Catford, London.

This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled social work professional to provide expert practice leadership, strengthen the quality of kinship assessments and support positive outcomes for children and families.

The successful candidate will play a key role in completing and quality-assuring Regulation 24 assessments, providing guidance on complex and high-risk cases, and promoting a culture of reflective practice, professional development and continuous improvement across the service.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete and quality-assure Regulation 24 assessments and other assessments within the Kinship Service.
• Manage complex and high-risk social care cases, providing expert advice and guidance to colleagues.
• Provide supervision, mentoring and professional support to social workers, newly qualified practitioners and students.
• Support compliance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, local policies and practice frameworks.
• Lead quality assurance activities, including monthly case file audits and thematic reviews.
• Facilitate group supervision, reflective practice sessions and team development activities.
• Identify training needs and contribute to continuing professional development across the service.
• Support Practice Educator and Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) arrangements.
• Promote relationship-based, evidence-informed and reflective social work practice.
• Champion staff wellbeing and ensure children, families and carers have meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making.
• Deputise for the Team Manager when required.
• Undertake additional specialist duties, including Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or Best Interest Assessor responsibilities, where appropriately qualified.

Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker with a recognised social work qualification.
• Current registration with Social Work England.
• Significant experience in children's social care and kinship assessments.
• Strong knowledge of Regulation 24, relevant legislation and statutory guidance.
• Experience managing complex and high-risk cases.
• Demonstrable experience in quality assurance, supervision, mentoring or practice development.
• Excellent assessment, analytical, communication and report-writing skills.
• Ability to provide professional leadership and support high-quality, child-centred practice.
• Practice Educator or ASYE assessor experience is desirable.

What's on Offer?

• £41.10 per hour (Umbrella)
• Opportunity to work within a dedicated Kinship Service in Lewisham.
• A role offering professional leadership, practice development and quality assurance responsibilities.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children, kinship carers and families.

Mandatory: Must have a UK Passport or a Full Right to Work in the UK