Senior Practitioner - Family Support & Protection, South Essex

Provide Expert Guidance:Offer expert advice and professional supervision to social workers, contributing to the development of practice standards.

Assess and Support:Evaluate complex social care needs and develop support plans for vulnerable individuals, children, and families.

Ensure Compliance:Work within statutory legal frameworks, policies, and guidelines, determining when statutory intervention is necessary.

Manage Caseloads:Handle a complex caseload, ensuring accurate and timely data, reports, and presentations.

Lead in Critical Situations:Participate in case conferences, court attendances, meetings, and statutory reviews, taking the lead when a social care perspective is required.

Safeguard and Promote Welfare:Conduct assessments and plan interventions to safeguard and promote children's welfare.

Build Strong Relationships:Foster effective working relationships across the Council, with partners, and voluntary agencies to help people get the best start in life and age well.

Deliver Expertise:Provide high-level expertise in specific practice areas, leading and contributing to their development.

Achieve Targets:Meet individual and shared targets and objectives defined annually within the performance management framework.

Join us in this pivotal role where your expertise and leadership will make a significant impact on the lives of children, young people, and families. Together, we can build a supportive community and create brighter futures., The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

· A recognised social work qualification i.e. Diploma, degree or masters in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent, with current registration with Social Work England (SWE) as a registered social worker.

· Evidence of continuing professional development, aligned to any relevant Professional Competency/Capability frameworks or Knowledge and Skills Statements.

· Significant experience of social work, demonstrating a comprehensive and up to date understanding of all relevant legislation, regulation and guidance.

· Experience of mentoring both Social Work students and newly qualified and experienced Social Work staff, being a subject matter expert in professional social work practice.

· Experience of chairing meetings involving clients, family members and/or carers and other multi-agency professionals.

· Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for children, young people and families.

· In depth understanding of delivery of value for money interventions balanced against need.

· Proven track record of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.

As a Senior Practitioner, you will manage a complex caseload and provide expert supervision and coaching to colleagues, driving positive change for children, young people, and families. You will also deputise for the Team Manager, leading the team and managing duty services.

Join us in making a tangible difference in the lives of children and families, helping them overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. Together, we can create a supportive and nurturing environment where every child can look forward to a brighter future.