Senior Practitioner - Children's Fostering Service

Croydon Council; Croydon; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a Senior Practitioner for the Children's Fostering Service in Croydon. The role involves providing leadership in practice, managing complex cases, and delivering training to foster carers. Applicants must be experienced Social Workers registered with the SWE, with a strong understanding of children's social care policies and legislation. This position offers competitive compensation and a hybrid working model.

Qualifications

• Highly experienced and qualified Social Worker.
• Ability to provide support to the Team Manager.
• Knowledge of reflective supervision models.

Responsibilities

• Lead practice through direct work with children.
• Deliver training to foster carers and colleagues.
• Manage complex cases and support team development.

Skills

Knowledge of national policy for children's social care

Experience in managing complex cases

Ability to manage and motivate others

Knowledge of relevant legislation and statutory guidance

Experience in fostering or similar

Education

Registered Social Worker

Job description

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Job Description

Senior Practitioner - Children's Fostering Service

Salary: Grade 15 (£55,323-£57,402)
Permanent - 36 hours per week
Hybrid working (3 office days per week / 2 home office)

Job Purpose

The Senior Practitioner role reports to the Team Manager providing leadership of practice through exemplary direct work; development of staff and specialist focused on a given area of practice.

They are an expert practitioner who directly delivers or contributes to the delivery of positive safety and well-being outcomes for children. They will support other staff within the team to develop their level of practice and expertise and growing the confidence in their practice.

The successful candidate will have a responsibility of delivering the training to foster carers and colleagues, while managing students and having responsibility of managing complex cases.

Essential Requirements

We are looking for highly experienced and qualified Social Worker, registered with SWE.

• Knowledge of national policy, strategy and developments regarding children's social care, and areas that impact on children's social care.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, standards and procedures.
• Ability to manage, develop and motivate others.
• Experience of managing complex cases.
• Knowledge of relevant theoretical frameworks, practice models and research findings.
• Knowledge of models of reflective supervision that impact on practice and outcomes.
• Experience of working in fostering or similar.
• Ability to provide support to the Team Manager, including acting up responsibility in their absence.

To view Senior Practitioner role profile, please click here.

About Us

Croydon Council's priorities

The Council balances its books, listens to residents, and delivers good sustainable services

• Get a grip on the finances and make the council financially sustainable
• Become a council which listens to, respects and works in partnership with Croydon's diverse communities and businesses
• Strengthen collaboration and joint working with partner organisations and the voluntary, community and faith sectors
• Ensure good governance is embedded and adopt best practice
• Develop our workforce to deliver in a manner that respects the diversity of our communities

Key business plan outcomes:

• Croydon is a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning
• Children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential
• Croydon is a cleaner, safer and healthier place, a borough we’re proud to call home
• People can lead healthier and independent lives for longer
• Croydon Council's new ways of working

Equal Opportunities Statement

Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.

Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.