Consultant Practitioner - Edge of Care Team

The Methodist Church in Britain; Normanton on Trent; Hybride; GBP 42 000 - 54 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

25 days holiday + bank holidays (rises

Flexible working opportunities

LGPS

Life assurance (three times annual)

On-site day nursery (Ofsted rated)

Season ticket loan

Lease car salary sacrifice

Résumé du poste

Reading Borough Council’s Children’s Services is seeking a Consultant Practitioner to lead reunification and transition planning for children and families. The role involves coordinating assessments, interventions and chairing professional meetings, in collaboration with social workers, carers and partner agencies.

The post supports children to stay with their families or reach stable long-term arrangements, with hybrid working options available.

Qualifications

• Recognised social work qualification required.
• Current registration with Social Work England.
• Significant experience in Children's Social Care including Child in Need, Child Protection and Children Looked After.

Responsabilités

• Lead reunification assessments, planning and interventions for children and families.
• Lead reunification and transition planning across the Edge of Care Service.
• Develop and embed reunification and transition practice across Children's Services.
• Provide advice, guidance and support on complex cases.
• Support children to remain within their family networks wherever safe and possible.
• Work collaboratively with social workers, carers, fostering services and partner agencies.
• Work with children, families and carers so transitions are carefully planned and children reach permanence.
• Chair professional meetings, including network meetings and planning forums.
• Contribute to quality assurance, audits and service improvement projects.
• Promote trauma-informed, restorative and systemic approaches to practice.
• Ensure practice is child-centred, evidence-informed and compliant with legislation and guidance.

Connaissances

Communication

Leadership

Relationship-building

Prioritisation

Formation

Social work qualification (CQSW, DipSW, BA, MA or equivalent)

Description du poste

This Consultant Practitioner post sits in the developing Edge of Care Team within Reading Borough Council's Children's Services, supporting children to stay with their families, return home or reach stable long-term arrangements. The postholder leads reunification and transition planning across the service, including assessments, interventions and chairing professional meetings, working alongside social workers, carers and partner agencies. Hybrid working is offered, and the role suits a qualified social worker with significant children's social care experience and court work.

What the job involves

• Lead reunification assessments, planning and interventions for children and families
• Lead reunification and transition planning across the Edge of Care Service
• Develop and embed reunification and transition practice across Children's Services
• Provide advice, guidance and support on complex cases
• Support children to remain within their family networks wherever safe and possible
• Work collaboratively with social workers, carers, fostering services and partner agencies
• Work with children, families and carers so transitions are carefully planned and children reach permanence
• Chair professional meetings, including network meetings and planning forums
• Contribute to quality assurance, audits and service improvement projects
• Promote trauma-informed, restorative and systemic approaches to practice
• Ensure practice is child-centred, evidence-informed and compliant with legislation and guidance

Qualifications

• Recognised social work qualification (CQSW, DipSW, BA, MA or equivalent)

Registration & licences

• Current registration with Social Work England

Experience

• Significant experience in Children's Social Care, including Child in Need, Child Protection and Children Looked After services
• Completing assessments, care planning and court work
• Working with children, families, carers and partner agencies where needs are complex

Skills & knowledge

• Strong knowledge of childcare legislation, statutory guidance and care planning processes
• Knowledge of reunification practice, attachment theory, trauma-informed practice, systemic approaches and PACE
• Excellent communication, leadership and relationship-building skills
• Managing competing priorities and driving positive change across services

What’s offered

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, rising to 30 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years, with the option to buy extra leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in central Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life assurance of three times annual salary (LGPS members)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day Nursery), rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season ticket loan towards rail or bus travel to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme, including insurance, servicing and road tax