Children in Care - Senior Practitioner

Children in Care Team

Newcastle Council

We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior Practitioner to join our dedicated Children in Care team. This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people. The successful candidate will provide expert social work practice, supervision, and leadership, contributing to the overall effectiveness and high quality of our service.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Casework: To undertake a complex and challenging caseload of children and young people in care, ensuring their safety, well-being, and development. This includes conducting thorough assessments, developing and implementing care plans, and regularly reviewing progress.
• Supervision: To provide regular supervision and support to a team of social workers, promoting their professional development and ensuring high-quality practice. This includes providing guidance, feedback, and mentoring.
• Strategic Contribution: To contribute to the strategic development of the Children in Care service, participating in service improvement initiatives and contributing to policy development.
• Multi-Agency Working: To work collaboratively with a range of partners, including other agencies, foster carers, residential providers, and families, ensuring a holistic and coordinated approach to care.
• Court Work: To prepare and present cases in court, providing expert testimony and advocating for children's best interests.
• Training & Development: To participate in and contribute to training and development initiatives within the team, sharing expertise and supporting continuous improvement.
• Complex Case Management: To manage complex cases involving children with multiple and challenging needs, requiring advanced problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Advocacy: To provide strong advocacy for children and young people in the care system, ensuring their rights are protected and their voices are heard.

Essential Criteria:

• Qualifications: Social Work Degree.
• DBS on update service
• Experience: Significant post-qualifying experience in children's social work, with demonstrable expertise in working with children in care. Experience in supervising social work staff is essential.
• Skills: Excellent assessment, planning, and intervention skills; strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively under pressure and manage a challenging caseload; strong advocacy skills.
• Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and procedures relating to children in care

To apply please contact Lara on .

Randstad Care acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Randstad Care is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merits alone.

Did you know that Randstad Care have been awarded a place on the National Clinical Staffing Framework for the NHS? This means we will be able to bring you more opportunities within nursing & midwifery and clinical staffing.