Senior Practitioner – Children Social Work with Families

London Borough of Croydon; Croydon; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking a Senior Practitioner to lead children's social work with families. The role involves engaging with children and families, providing leadership to staff, and ensuring positive well-being outcomes. Candidates must be qualified Senior Social Workers registered with Social Work England. This position offers a competitive salary, hybrid working opportunities, and a focus on safeguarding vulnerable children.

Benefits

Welcome Payment of £5,000

Retention Payment of £2,500

Qualifications

• Experienced Senior Social Worker with up-to-date registration.
• Knowledge of national policy and legislation regarding children's social care.
• Able to maintain detailed records of engagements with families.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and support to team members.
• Engage with children and families to ensure safety and well-being.
• Coordinate multi-professional input in planning and assessment.

Skills

Children's Safeguarding

Engagement and relationship building

Analytical assessment

Report writing

Professional judgment

Collaborative planning

Education

Registered with Social Work England

Qualified Senior Social Worker

Job description

Senior Practitioner – Children Social Work with Families

Salary: Grade 15 £55,323-£57,402
Permanent – 36 hours per week
Welcome Payment – £5,000
Retention Payment – £2,500
Hybrid working (3 office days / 2 days working from home)

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 Senior Practitioner would have a developed ability to deliver on outcomes and functions as a role model for their team through the effective exercise of the following functions:

• Engagement and relationship building / maintaining.
• Analytical and continuous assessment
• High standard of report writing and case recording
• Making professional judgments and recommendations based on assessment and review
• Development, co‑ordination, implementation, and review of evidence‑based plans
• The provision of direct help by the worker
• The matching of child / family with evidence‑based services relevant to the identified needs.
• The co‑ordination of multi‑professional / agency input to assessment, planning and help.
• The application of theory and theoretical frameworks to all aspects of practice.
• Supporting the development of creative and innovative care planning to support children and their families.
• Oversee the planning for children where necessary
• Delivering to performance standards consistently across the measures within the journey of the child.

Essential Requirements

• Qualified and experienced Senior Social Worker and up to date registered with Social Work England.
• Experience of working in Children’s Safeguarding.
• 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.
• Knowledge of relevant theoretical frameworks, practice models and research findings.
• Knowledge of models of reflective supervision that impact on practice and outcomes.
• Able to maintain records that evidence our engagement with children and families, informs the quality assurance framework e.g., quantitative, qualitative and outcome information for the children and families, the views and experiences of children and families.

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.