Practitioner

Kent County Council; Whitstable; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market premium payments

Local government pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Kent County Council is recruiting for a safeguarding role within the Ashford and Canterbury locality. You will work with adults with diverse care needs, undertaking Care Act and MCA assessments, and Court of Protection work.

The post emphasises relationship-building with individuals, families and carers in a forward-thinking, collaborative team. You will be supported to develop specialist practice areas via the council’s development pathways and practice framework, with supervision and flexible

Qualifications

• Experience in Social Services, Health related agencies or related private or voluntary organisations.
• Registration with Social Work England is required.
• Competent to work at Advanced Practitioner level of the Professional Capabilities Framework.
• Experience of managing risk and completing safeguarding enquiries.
• Supervision and development of staff, including performance management.

Responsibilities

• Undertake Care Act Assessments and MCA Assessments.
• Manage Court of Protection applications and s42 safeguarding enquiries.
• Engage with individuals, families and carers, building relationships and delivering person-centred safeguarding work.
• Provide regular supervision and reflective practice to staff.

Skills

Risk management

Safeguarding enquiries

Staff supervision

Performance management

MCA assessments

Education

Social Work England registration

Advanced Practitioner (PCF)

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Ashford and Canterbury locality within our Ashford and Canterbury Safeguarding Team as we enhance our locality working practice and put the person and good practice at the heart of what we do.
We work with adults with a range of care and support needs placing individuals at the centre of their support. You will undertake work of varying levels of complexity including, Care Act Assessments, Mental Capacity Act (MCA) Assessments, Court of Protection applications and s42 safeguarding enquiries.
Our social care interventions are structured around the three pillars of excellent practice, exceptional innovation, and meaningful measures. Therefore, our work is orientated around building relationships with the individual their families and carers. We engage with communities early on to help people feel empowered to find trusted help and support locally from a range of sources., In return, we offer an attractive benefits package and a commitment to ensuring that you achieve a healthy work life balance and opportunities for flexible working arrangements that meet business need.
We offer generous market premium payments (subject to eligibility). You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave allowance and the local government pension scheme.
You will have excellent opportunities for professional development with access to our social care academy, progression routes and our newly launched practice framework.
We will support you to consolidate your skills and knowledge, assisting you to develop areas of specialist practice development such as Approved Mental Health Professional Training, Best Interest Assessor Training and Practice Educator training.
You will receive regular professional supervision and have the opportunity to critically reflect on your practice. You will be supported to develop your practice and progress your career
We are increasingly accessible to the public outside of traditional office hours, as we move towards an 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week service to ensure service needs are met.
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service and a relevant professional qualification (Social Work, Nursing or Occupational Therapy) as well as up to date registration with the appropriate professional body.
This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.
Interviews will take place on Thursday, 15 October 2026 at Brook House, Whitstable.

We welcome applications from experienced Social Workers who can demonstrate post-qualification experience in Social Services, Health related agencies or related private or voluntary organisation.
You will hold a registration with Social Work England and be competent to work at the Advanced Practitioner level of the Professional Capabilities Framework for Registered Practitioners.
You will have experience of managing risk and completing safeguarding enquiries
You will be able to demonstrate expertise in the supervision and development of staff, including performance management
We are looking for future employees who have a positive, forward-thinking attitude. Using strengths-based practice with individuals which is built around their desired outcomes and goals. Our teams are imaginative, locally focused and flexible and we are searching for registered practitioners with a likeminded approach, working collaboratively as part of a team.
You will hold a Full UK Driving License - The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability.