Practitioner - Disabled Children's Team

Kent County Council; Whitstable; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent County Council is seeking a Senior Practitioner for the Disabled Children's Team East. The role is based at Green Banks, Margate, or Brook House, Whitstable, with flexibility across the team area.

You will lead social work staff, work in partnership with families and other agencies, and ensure safeguarding for disabled children. Applicants must be Social Work England registered with a Social Work degree and have extensive experience in Children’s Services, including Child Protection and

Qualifications

• Must be Social Work England registered with a Social Work degree.
• Substantial and varied experience of working with children, carers and families.
• Experience in Children's Services is essential, including Child Protection and knowledge of relevant legislation and policies.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Social Workers and Social Work Assistants and mentor less experienced staff.
• Lead reflective practice sessions for the team.
• Support the Team Manager and provide cover, e.g., chairing team meetings.
• Work flexibly across the team’s geographical area and promote safeguarding.

Skills

Team leadership

Child protection

Social Work England registration

Driving licence

Education

Social Work degree

Job description

Senior Practitioner - Disabled Children's Team East

Role Responsibility

An opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated Senior Practitioner to join the Disabled Children's Team East. Our team consists of Social Workers, Social Work Assistants and Occupational Therapists and we pride ourselves on being committed to promoting the welfare of disabled children. We work in close partnership with families and other agencies in providing packages of care and support, whilst ensuring disabled children are safeguarded.

The contractual base for this role is Green Banks in Margate or Brook House in Whitstable. The team covers a large geographical area and there is an expectation that you are able to work flexibly across the whole area covered by the team.

The successful candidate will be experienced in working with Child Protection, Child in Need, Children in Care/court proceedings and have a passion for working with children with disabilities.

A role model for good practice and champion for your area of expertise, you will set performance expectations, supervise, coach and mentor less experienced staff. You will supervise Social Workers and Social Work Assistants and take the lead in delivering reflective practice sessions to the team.

You will support the Team Manager, providing cover in their absence, for example chairing team meetings and overseeing the work of the team.

You need to be Social Work England registered with a Social Work degree, and in addition you should have substantial and varied experience of working with children and their carers and families. Experience in Children's Services is essential, including Child Protection and in-depth knowledge of relevant legislation and policies.

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.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service and registration as a qualified Social Worker.

This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence - 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.

Interviews will take place on 25th September 2026

Contact Details

Phoebe Lupson, Team Manager 03000 422576

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Job Description & Person Specification

• Salary: £47,990 - £53,446 per annum
• Contract type: Permanent Full Time
• Working Hours: 37 hours per week
• Location: Margate or Whitstable, United Kingdom
• Job category: Social Care Children - Qualified
• Job Reference: REF/TP/784/15225
• Closing Date: 14 September, 2026