Childrens Senior Practitioner

CRA Group Limited; Bishop's Castle; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A social service organization in the United Kingdom seeks a Children's Senior Practitioner to support children and young people by leading assessments and care planning. The role involves coordinating multi-agency efforts, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, and maintaining accurate records. Ideal candidates will possess strong experience in children's social services and have excellent communication and relationship-building skills. This is a crucial role that demands resilience and a commitment to achieving positive outcomes for children.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in CLA, UASC or similar statutory children's services.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and care planning.
• Experience managing high-risk cases.

Responsibilities

• Lead on assessments and statutory responsibilities.
• Coordinate care planning and multi-agency coordination.
• Provide guidance and support to children, families, and carers.

Skills

Social work practice

Coordination of multi-agency meetings

Court work

Strong communication skills

Report writing

Emotional resilience

Job description

• The Children's Senior Practitioner will work within Shropshire Council's Children Looked After (CLA) and Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) Services, supporting children and young people through high-quality social work practice.
• The postholder will lead on assessments, statutory responsibilities, care planning and multi-agency coordination to ensure children receive the right support at the right time. Carry out high-quality assessments informed by direct work with children, young people and families.
• Progress care plans and pathway plans to ensure children are accessing appropriate services.
• Undertake statutory visits to children in foster care, residential placements and those placed at home.
• Lead and manage casework, ensuring compliance with CLA requirements.
• Coordinate and chair a range of meetings, including care planning, risk management, placement stability, PEPs and reviews.
• Provide information, advice and guidance to children, families and carers to support problem resolution.
• Undertake court-related work where necessary (e.g., revocation of care orders, SGO and placement order applications).
• Participate in the team duty system.
• Maintain accurate and timely electronic records in line with policies, procedures and statutory requirements.
• Work collaboratively with parents, guardians, carers, and multi-agency professionals to ensure effective support.
• Contribute to service quality, performance improvement and best practice standards.
  Demonstrable experience working within CLA, UASC or similar statutory children's services.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, care planning, statutory interventions and relevant legislation.
• Experienced in undertaking complex assessments and managing high-risk cases.
• Skilled in court work, including preparing statements and progressing legal orders where required.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with children, families and professionals.
• Effective in coordinating multi-agency meetings and leading case discussions.
• Strong report writing, record-keeping and IT skills (computerised social care systems).
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and maintain performance standards.
• Emotional resilience, reflective practice and commitment to high-quality outcomes for children.
• Ability to work within duty systems and respond dynamically to service needs.