Senior Practitioner - Children and Young People Disability Team

Medway Council; Chatham; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market allowance £6,000 p.a.

Retention payment £3,000 p.a.

Up to 30 days leave + bank holidays

Local government pension scheme

Car user allowance with lease option

Free car parking

Hybrid working (min 2 office days)

Relocation package up to £8,000

Staff discounts and development

Job summary

Medway Council in Kent is seeking a Senior Practitioner for the Children and Young People Disability Team (CYPD 0-18). The role involves managing a complex caseload, leading assessments, and coordinating support with education, health and SEND partners.

The post requires Social Work England registration, 2+ years post-qualifying experience, and a focus on transition planning, mental capacity assessments and COP Dols processes. Hybrid working is offered.

Qualifications

• Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Experience with children with disabilities and transitions.
• Knowledge of Mental Capacity Act and relevant legislation.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of complex disability cases.
• Lead assessments, care planning, reviews, and safeguarding.
• Support transition to Adult Social Care.
• Coordinate with education, health and SEND partners.
• Attend panels and advocate for children and families.
• Provide coaching and supervision to staff.

Skills

Social work experience

Assessment skills

Analytical skills

Report writing

Advocacy skills

Transition planning

Collaboration with SEND

Education

Social Work qualification

ASYE completed

Degree in Social Work

Tools

Driving licence

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Broadside

Senior Practitioner - Children and Young People Disability Team

Job Reference CSC/26/770/BH

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Permanent Full Time

Up to £52,920 per annum + market premia and retention payment

Working Hours:

37

Location:

Broadside

Closing Date:

15/11/2026

Job Category:

Children's Services

Region / Division:

Kent

Business Unit:

People (Children's, Adults, Public Health, Education & SEND)

Job Introduction

Senior Practitioner - Children and Young People Disability Team (CSC/26/770/BH)

Directorate:People (Children's, Adults, Public Health, Education and SEND)

Department: Children's Services

Job Status: Permanent Full Time

Location:Broadside, Leviathan Way, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4LL

Working style: Hybrid - Works part from Broadside and part from home.

Closing Date: 15/11/2026

Are you a dedicated and experienced Social Worker passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children and young people with disabilities? We are seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Senior Practitioner to join our Children and Young People with Disabilities (CYPD) Team 0-18 and play a key role in championing excellent social work practice across Medway.

About the Role

As a Senior Practitioner, you will manage a complex caseload of children and young people aged 0-18 with disabilities while supporting the Team Manager in delivering high-quality assessments, interventions, and support plans and helping to drive excellent practice and positive outcomes for children and families.

You will also represent and advocate for children and young people at Access to Resources Panels and Health Panels to secure appropriate support packages and services.

We Are Looking For Someone With:

At least 2 years post-qualifying experience in children's social care preferably experience working within a Children and Young People with Disabilities Team. The person should have excellent assessment, analytical, report-writing, and advocacy skills. We are looking for a Senior Practitioner with the knowledge and experience of Transition planning from Children's Services to Adult Social Care including skills and knowledge of Mental Capacity Assessments and Cop Dols process. We are looking for a person who works collaboratively with SEND services and multi-agency partnership working with Health colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Hold and manage a caseload of complex disability and transition cases.
• Lead on assessments, care planning, reviews, and safeguarding interventions.
• Support children and young people preparing for adulthood and transition into Adult Social Care services.
• Work closely with education, health, SEND, and adult social care colleagues to deliver coordinated support.
• Attend panels and multi-agency meetings to advocate for children and families.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and practice support to Social Workers and Newly Qualified Social Workers.
• Promote high-quality, evidence-based social work practice across the team.

The successful post holder will be subject to a Enhanced Children's DBS check.

Shortlisting will take place on: 16/11/2026

Interviews will take place on: 24/11/2026

Candidates will be offered a competitive basic salary between £47,435 - £52,920 per annum, dependant on your experience, and the potential to earn up to £61,920 per year when market premiums and retention are applied.

Why Join Medway?

You will be joining an experienced and supportive team that places relationship-based practice and positive outcomes for children at the heart of everything it does . Medway is committed to supporting professional development, career progression, hybrid working, and providing opportunities to become a practice champion within your specialist area .

Children matter in Medway, and so do you. It’s an exciting time to join us as we offer competitive pay and conditions and hybrid working. We are committed to helping you to grow and develop throughout your career and reach your full potential. Our practice development offer, whether you are a manager or practitioner, ensures you will be guided, supported and cared for .

Join us and #Make a Difference...

Our Offer

• We are proud to offer a range of benefits including -
• A market allowance of £6,000 per annum (payable in 12 equal instalments)
• A retention payment of £3,000 per annum (payable in April, following 1 years service in Medway)
• A generous annual leave entitlement up to 30 days plus bank holidays
• An excellent local government pension scheme
• An essential car user allowance with option to apply for a lease car after six months.
• Free car parking.
• Hybrid working - enabling you to work from home/office (minimum of 2 days per week will be required in the office). Assessment Teams are office based for duty weeks.
• Relocation package of up to £8,000.
• A range of staff benefits and discounts including access to fantastic discounts and savings on shops and services, travel discounts, health and wellbeing support, and an employee assistance service.
• Access to professional development and support including Community Care Inform.

About You

• Social Work England registration.
• Experience of working with children and young people with disabilities.
• Experience supporting young people through transition and preparation for adulthood processes.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation including Children Act 1989 and 2004, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
• You will hold a recognised Social Work qualification eg. Degree in Social Work, PGC in Social Work, CQSW, DipSW or equivalent and be registered with Social Work England.
• You will have successfully completed your ASYE.
• You will have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes (including business use for carrying passengers).
• For further information on the qualifications, skills and experience required, please refer to the Job Profile and Person Specification.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria which are essential for appointment to the role.
• For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.
• Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
• Please note, we prioritise applications from current Medway Council redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.
• We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support .