Thurrock - SP - locality Team

Thurrock Council is seeking a dedicated Senior Practitioner to join its Childrens Locality Team. This role involves working directly with children, young people, and families to safeguard their welfare, promote positive outcomes, and deliver child-centered interventions. As a Senior Practitioner, you will provide support, guidance, and leadership to less experienced social workers, ensuring high-quality service delivery.

The role is based at Civic Offices, Thurrock, and requires experience in handling cases involving Child Protection (CP), Children in Need (CIN), and court proceedings. You will play a pivotal role in promoting the well-being of children, supporting them to achieve permanence where possible, and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement., 1. Casework & Child-Centered Practice
Case Management: Carry a reduced caseload of complex cases, offering a high level of support to children and families.
Direct Work with Children: Undertake direct work with children, ensuring their voices are heard and their views are considered in care plans.
Child Protection (CP) & CIN: Work with children subject to Child Protection (CP) plans, Children in Need (CIN) plans, and children in care proceedings.
Court Work: Prepare and present comprehensive court reports and act as an expert witness during hearings.
Relationship-Based Practice: Build strong relationships with children, families, and other professionals, supporting positive changes in family dynamics.
2. Leadership & Supervision
Mentoring & Support: Provide support and guidance to newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) and less experienced team members.
Supervision: Offer reflective supervision to junior team members, promoting best practices and professional development.
Lead by Example: Act as a role model for high standards of social work practice, demonstrating expertise in complex casework and multi-agency working.
3. Safeguarding & Risk Management
Risk Assessment: Conduct risk assessments for children at risk of harm, ensuring timely and effective intervention.
Crisis Intervention: Respond to urgent child protection concerns and develop immediate safety plans to protect children from harm.
Multi-Agency Collaboration: Work collaboratively with health, education, police, and other partners to safeguard children.
4. Quality Assurance & Service Improvement
Auditing & Quality Assurance: Support case audits, contribute to service development, and ensure compliance with statutory guidance and council policies.
Practice Development: Identify areas for improvement within the team and suggest ways to enhance practice standards.
Continuous Learning: Stay up-to-date with changes in policy, research, and practice, ensuring that Thurrocks services remain current and effective.
About You - Skills, Knowledge & Experience
To succeed as a Senior Practitioner in Thurrock's Children's Locality Team, you will need to demonstrate, Hybrid Working: Flexibility to work from home, in the office, and on-site visits as required.
Supportive Team Environment: Work within a collaborative team that prioritizes reflective practice, team learning, and service improvement.
Career Progression: Opportunity to develop your leadership skills and progress into Team Manager or other senior roles.
Manageable Caseloads: Work in an environment that supports manageable caseloads and encourages a healthy work-life balance.
Training & Development: Access to continuous professional development (CPD), enabling you to stay current in practice, legislation, and case law.
How to Apply
If you have experience as a Senior Practitioner or a highly skilled Social Worker ready to step up, this is your chance to join Thurrocks Childrens Locality Team.

Qualification: A recognised Social Work degree (or equivalent) and Social Work England registration.
Experience: A minimum of 3+ years of post-qualification experience, with significant experience in CIN, CP, and court work.
Leadership Skills: Previous experience in providing guidance, support, and supervision to other social workers.
Legal Knowledge: Sound understanding of relevant legislation, including the Children Act 1989, Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010, and other statutory guidance.
Analytical Skills: Ability to analyse information, make evidence-based decisions, and develop effective care plans.
Court Skills: Experience of preparing and presenting court reports and acting as a professional witness in child care proceedings.
IT Skills: Proficiency in using case management systems to record and update case files accurately.