Senior Practitioner - Safeguarding & Support

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Herefordshire is seeking a Senior Practitioner to join their Safeguarding & Support Teams. The role offers a competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a strong emphasis on collaborative working and flexibility. Candidates should have significant experience in statutory social care and relevant qualifications. This position also includes exciting perks such as a welcome payment and a relocation package.

Benefits

Pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Annual leave plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in statutory social care.
• Fully qualified with relevant social work qualifications.
• Commitment to improving outcomes for children.

Responsibilities

• Provide coaching and support to apprentices and staff.
• Lead on practice development and training.
• Collaborate with partner agencies for effective service delivery.

Skills

Experience in statutory social care

Coaching and mentoring

Collaborative working

Relationship-based practice

Education

DipSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent

Job description

Overview

About The Role

Job Title: Senior Practitioner – Safeguarding & Support

Hours: 37 per week

Salary: HC9 £40,777 - £45,091 + £10,000 welcome payment + £5,000 market rate supplement

Welcome payment: £10,000 (see attached guidance)

Relocation package: up to £10,000 available

Location: Multiple locations – Ross on Wye, Leominster, Hereford

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: 12/10/2025

Join us on our Restorative Journey of Improvement to gain the best for children and families in Herefordshire.

The Role

We are looking for a dynamic and passionate Senior Practitioner to help us on our improvement journey. Working within the Safeguarding & Support Teams you will work collaboratively with partner agencies to make a positive difference to society and the families that we work with. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of staff in their knowledge, experience and practice, working closely with managers to develop the team and deliver high quality service to our children, young people and families.

You will provide coaching, mentoring, training and support to apprentices, step up students and family support workers. You will lead on areas of practice development and training within the wider service and support the implementation of our practice standards, quality assurance framework, professional values, policies and procedures.

You will be fully qualified (DipSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent) with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in statutory social care and a commitment to delivering positive outcomes for children.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our developing team and contribute to creating a safe and supportive, yet challenging, learning environment for Herefordshire’s workforce. You will be supported by an established team with a strong commitment to relationship-based practice, flexible working and professional development.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Deborah Morgan, Service Manager for the Safeguarding & Support Teams, by phone on 01432 261645 or by email at [e-mail].

Herefordshire is on a journey and we would like you to be part of our next chapter. This is an exciting opportunity to have a genuine impact on the local authority and help improve and protect the children and young people within it.

Team & Working Arrangements

Herefordshire Council Safeguarding & Support Teams are based across three localities with good transport links. The staff are welcoming and supportive to new team members. There are six teams comprising a Team Manager, Senior Practitioners and Social Workers, alongside family support workers. We work from the three main Herefordshire Council offices and offer flexible working, including home working where appropriate. Regular supervision is provided with an allocated supervisor for formal and informal sessions and case discussions.

We work with families to improve outcomes using a restorative approach to social work and a collaborative team culture. Social Workers work closely with the Council’s Legal Team to progress Court applications, with court progression officers to support meeting timescales and targeted training to ensure staff feel equipped and supported. We welcome new Social Workers to join us.

We Offer

• Salary: Senior Practitioner starting salary HC9 £40,777 - £45,091 per annum
• Market rate supplement: £5,000 per year
• Welcome payment: £10,000 for experienced social workers joining our children’s teams (see guidance)
• Relocation package: up to £10,000
• Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Professional development: protected time and budget to support development
• Career progression: clear pathways to progress to senior social worker level
• Annual leave: 31 days (pro rata) plus bank holidays; option to purchase up to 10 extra days
• Flexible working: flexi-time, job-share, part-time hours, and home working in some cases
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support and counselling
• Professional membership: payment of professional membership fees

Perks: access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits, including savings, cash back and discounts.

Equality & Safeguarding: Herefordshire Council is committed to safeguarding, promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If offered the position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and pre-employment checks. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and offer flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments.

Application & Eligibility

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for more details. To apply, submit your CV and complete the supporting statement within the application form, detailing how you meet the requirements.

Please note: the council is unable to offer overseas visa sponsorship for Social Worker roles in Children & Young People. Overseas candidates requiring sponsorship should not apply. A full list of current vacancies can be found at: https://spiritofherefordshire.com/children-young-people/jobs/