Senior Practitioner - Children in Care

Medway Food Partnership; 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.

Hybrid working (min 2 days in office)

Relocation package up to £8,000

Generous annual leave up to 30 days

Local government pension

Car user allowance / lease car option

Free car parking

Staff discounts & wellbeing support

Professional development support

Job summary

Medway Council is seeking a Senior Practitioner in Children’s Services to manage complex caseloads and support team leadership. The post emphasizes mentoring, safeguarding best practice and collaborative working with colleagues across Medway.

You will work in a hybrid model with meetings in offices such as Gun Wharf and client visits, ensuring high-quality social work with children open for assessment and intervention. A competitive salary with market premiums and relocation support is offered.

Qualifications

• Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England are essential.
• ASYE completed is required.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes are required.
• Refer to Job Profile for full qualifications and criteria.

Responsibilities

• Hold a caseload of complex cases within Children’s Services.
• Provide mentoring, coaching and practice expertise to less experienced team members.
• Support Team Manager and Assistant Team Manager to deliver high-quality social work.
• Contribute to professional development and progression of colleagues.

Skills

ASYE completed

Driving licence

Mobility

Education

Social Work qualification (Degree/PGC/CQSW/DipSW)

Job description

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

Up to £58,920 (inclusive of market allowance) + annual retention payment

Working Hours:

37

Location:

Broadside

Closing Date:

27/10/2026

Job Category:

Children's Services

Region / Division:

Kent

Business Unit:

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

Job Introduction

Directorate: People (Childrens, Adults, Public Health, Education and SEND)

Department: Children’s Services

Salary: £47,435 and £52,920 per annum

Job Status:Full Time Permanent

Location:Broadside

Working style:Mobile - Works from different locations attending meetings, conducting assessment in client’s home or business; maybe occasions where you will need to attend the office (Gun Wharf etc. address).

Closing Date: 27/10/2026

Are you a dedicated and experienced social worker passionate about championing practice? We are now looking for passionate Senior Practitioners who can commit to making a difference to our children in Medway.

As a Senior Practitioner you will hold a caseload of complex cases whilstsupporting the Team Manager, alongside the Assistant Team Manager, in delivering high quality standards of social work to the children open for assessment, intervention, andsupport.You willsupport the leadership of the team and service through the provision of mentoring, coaching,support and practice expertise to other less experienced team members,supporting them in their professional development and progression.If you are passionate about an area of practice, we willsupport you to continue to develop in this area, become achampion andshare your expertise with colleagues across Medway Children’s Services.

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 arecommitted 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, ensuresyou will be guided,supported and cared for.

Whether you are an experienced social worker looking for the next step in your career or an existing senior practitioner we’d like to hear from you.You will be joining an experienced and dedicated social work team who have relationship and strengths-based work with children and families at the core of their practice.

The successful post holder will be subject to an Enhanced Childrens’ DBS check.

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.

Candidates will be offered a competitive basic salary between £47,435 and £52,920 per annum, dependant on your experience, and the potential to earn up to £58,920 per year when market premiums and retention are applied.

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

• 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.