Children's Senior Practitioner

Opus People Solutions Limited; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridgeshire County Council is seeking an experienced Senior Practitioner to lead a Children’s Services team. You will manage a complex caseload, coach social workers, and ensure high-quality safeguarding and court-involved work in line with the Big 6 Practice Standards.

You’ll provide professional leadership, supervise less experienced practitioners, and drive continuous improvement across the service to deliver better outcomes for children and families.

Qualifications

• Essential: Recognised Social Work qualification (Degree, Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma or approved fast-track).
• Current Social Work England registration.
• Significant experience with children, young people and families in a statutory setting.
• Strong experience in child protection, children in need, court work, complex assessments; safeguarding investigations.
• Excellent report writing and analytical skills; ability to lead and mentor colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership and supervision within the team.
• Manage a highly complex caseload with safeguarding and risk considerations.
• Undertake statutory assessments and interventions.
• Develop and review plans to improve outcomes for children and families.
• Chair and participate in safeguarding and childcare meetings; prepare court reports.

Skills

Child protection

Court work

Risk assessment

Report writing

Mentoring

Leadership

Education

Recognised Social Work qualification

Job description

Children's Senior Practitioner

Cambridgeshire County Council

Pay Rate: £46,956 - £50,157 plus a retention payment scheme

Location: Cambridgeshire | Full-Time | Permanent

Be Part of Creating a Greener, Fairer and More Caring Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire County Council is committed to improving outcomes for children, young people and families while building stronger, safer communities. Children, young people and their families are at the heart of everything we do, and we are looking for an experienced and passionate Senior Practitioner to join our Children's Services team. This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished Social Worker who is ready to take on a leadership role, supporting colleagues, driving excellent practice, and delivering outstanding outcomes for children and families across Cambridgeshire.

About the Role

As a Senior Practitioner, you will manage a highly complex caseload while providing professional leadership, coaching and mentoring to Social Workers and Child Practitioners within the team. You will work with a high degree of autonomy, supported by regular supervision, and play a key role in promoting best practice and safeguarding standards. You will work within Cambridgeshire County Council's practice framework, ensuring that all work reflects the authority's commitment to high-quality, child-focused interventions and the consistent application of the "Big 6" Practice Standards:GenogramsChronologiesVoice of the ChildMeaningful and Planned VisitsSupervision and Management OversightEffective Planning and Review Processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Practice Leadership & Service Delivery
• Manage a complex caseload involving children, young people and families where risk, safeguarding and complexity are significant factors.
• Provide professional leadership and support across the team.
• Undertake statutory assessments and interventions in accordance with legislation, policy and procedural requirements.
• Develop, implement and review plans that improve outcomes for children and their families.
• Chair and participate in key safeguarding and childcare meetings.
• Prepare and present high-quality written and verbal reports, including court reports.
• Deputise for the Team Manager when required.

Safeguarding & Risk Management

• Lead on complex safeguarding cases and provide guidance on risk assessment and case management.
• Support colleagues in managing risk effectively and making sound professional decisions.
• Promote a strong safeguarding culture and champion best practice across the service.
• Work collaboratively with children, families and multi‑agency partners to achieve positive outcomes.

Team Development & Mentoring

• Act as a role model and practice leader within the team.
• Support the induction, development and supervision of less experienced practitioners.
• Contribute to workforce development through coaching, mentoring and practice education.
• Help shape service improvements and lead on development projects where required.

Performance & Quality Assurance

• Monitor performance and support achievement of key service objectives.
• Ensure workloads are managed effectively to meet statutory timescales and service priorities.
• Support continuous improvement and evidence-based practice across the team.

About You

Essential Requirements

• Recognised Social Work qualification (Degree, Master's, Postgraduate Diploma or approved fast-track qualification)
• Current Social Work England registration
• Significant experience working with children, young people and families within a statutory setting
• Strong experience of: Child Protection Children in Need Court work Complex assessments Safeguarding investigations Risk assessment and management
• Excellent report writing and analytical skills
• Proven ability to lead, mentor and develop colleagues
• Strong understanding of current legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding frameworks
• Full UK driving licence and ability to travel throughout Cambridgeshire

Desirable

• Practice Educator Qualification (or willingness to achieve this within the first year)
• Post-qualifying specialist training
• Experience supervising or supporting the development of Social Workers

What We're Looking For

• Places children and families at the centre of decision making.
• Demonstrates excellent judgement in complex situations.
• Builds strong relationships with children, families and partner agencies.
• Thrives in a fast-paced and challenging environment.
• Champions equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Is committed to achieving outstanding outcomes for children and young people.

Why Join Cambridgeshire?

• At Cambridgeshire County Council, you'll join a service committed to supporting professional development, innovation and high-quality social work practice.
• You'll have the opportunity to influence service delivery, mentor the next generation of Social Workers and make a lasting difference to the lives of children and families.

Make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families while advancing your career within a forward-thinking local authority that values professional excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement.