Senior Practitioner - Children and Young Peoples Service

Porchlight (charity); Margate; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established charity is seeking a Senior Practitioner to enhance the quality of care in Children and Young People's Services. This pivotal role involves supporting frontline staff in safeguarding, case management, and reflective learning. You will lead on safeguarding processes, ensuring children receive timely and effective support tailored to their needs. The position offers the chance to work within a multi-disciplinary and trauma-informed model, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Minimum level 3 qualification in social work or related field.
• Extensive experience with children and young people with complex needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead safeguarding processes and support staff development.
• Oversee referral pathways and assess risk for children and young people.

Skills

Safeguarding

Case Management

Reflective Learning

Risk Assessment

Education

Level 3 Qualification in Social Work

Youth Work

Education

Health and Social Care

Job description

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Practitioner will play a pivotal role in ensuring that Porchlights Children and Young Peoples Services are safe, high-quality, and person-centred. Working within a multi-disciplinary and trauma-informed model, the postholder will support frontline staff to embed best practice in safeguarding, case management, and reflective learning. This includes leading on safeguarding processes, supporting staff development through training and reflective supervision, and embedding a culture of continuous quality improvement.

The role will be central to triaging cases, overseeing referral pathways, assessing risk, and ensuring adherence to statutory duties and organisational policy. The Senior Practitioner will ensure that children and young people receive timely, coordinated, and effective support that responds to their individual needs.

The Role Requires

• Minimum level 3 qualification in social work, youth work, education, or health and social care.
• Extensive experience of working with children and young people with complex needs in statutory, education or community settings.
• Significant experience in leading safeguarding responses and managing risk.
• Commitment to quality improvement, integrity, and Porchlights' mission.

Working pattern: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday with some flexibility required.

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Flexible depending on the candidate

For further information about the role, or to have an informal chat with the recruiting manager, please contact Wayne Beech on 07734 595319 or email.