Senior Practitioner - Children Looked After 0-16 Grade 15 (£52,116- £54,129) + £10k Welcome Payment
Croydon Council
- Croydon, Greater London
- £52,116-54,129 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
Retention Payment – £2,000Hybrid workingJob PurposeThe Children Looked After service supports and inspires cared for children, and care experienced young people to become their best, and achieve their aspirations. We take our corporate parenting role very seriously and are committed to supporting our children to be heard, and to flourish. We provide social work support for children and young people aged 0-16. We aim to walk alongside them and enable their plans for permanency to be achieved. We know how important lifelong links are for our children looked after, and we work hard to enable these to be maintained. Senior Practitioner candidates will need to have significant post qualifying experience, including in a statutory child care setting. Prior experience of working with children looked after is useful but not essential. You will however, be committed to high quality relational practice and have a natural ability in creating trusting relationships with children. Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate good experience, knowledge and skills of ability to work in front line settings; being able to work with a complex and diverse range of needs and risks; and making effective and timely decisions including those in contextual safeguarding. Candidates will need to demonstrate their ability to working positively with partner agencies and collaborative working relationships with children and their families. Candidates will need to have good knowledge and understanding of legislative framework, relevant research and national developments, and policies relating to children's social work and relevant to the role. The Senior Practitioner roles work with children with complex needs and support the Team Managers in providing leadership of practice. We work from a systemic framework and trauma informed perspective.You will support staff across the teams to develop their practice and develop expertise. As a Senior Practitioner you will have expertise in:Engaging children and young people and relationship buildingDirect work across the age rangeAssessment and Care Planning / Pathway PlanningSafeguarding for children in care including extra familial harmHigh standard of report writing and case recordingAbility to analyse complex information and make child centred decisions.Chair multi-professional meetings and co-ordinate supportDelivering to performance standards consistently across the measures within the journey of the child.Essential RequirementsQualified Social Worker and up to date registered with Social Work England
Foundation level systemic practice qualification – desirable
Practice Educator or Practice Teacher qualification – desirableKnowledge of national policy, strategy and developments regarding children’s social care, and areas that impact on children’s social care.
Significant experience working with children in care and those who arrived unaccompanied in the UK.
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 familiesWhy Join UsIn Croydon, our Children's Services has an established Systemic Practice model, experienced leaders, and high support for practitioners. Croydon people and staff are diverse, and we celebrate difference through focus on anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice. We are committed to delivering excellent social work practice and services to our children and families.
Our team consists of experienced, dedicated practitioners
We meet regularly to make sure everyone we work with has the support and knowledge needed to make a difference and be the difference to our families, communities and colleagues
At Croydon relationships matter and we are about strong partnerships and working together to make lasting positive change
We are an established team who can help you settle in and offer their expertise
You will have the support of an extremely knowledgeable understanding manager
You will have access to a busy, buzzy, committed workforce and work environment
Opportunities to work from home and work flexibly provides you with more work-life balance
Opportunities to think together with your manager about career development
Support to help you grow, develop, learn and leadBenefits
You will be valued for your skills and expertise, supported by the team of experienced professionals, as well as the management at Croydon Council, one of the largest employers in the borough. We also offer:Highly competitive compensation packageAccredited Systemic Practice trainingA range of CPD opportunities29-31 days (grade equivalent) annual leave in addition to Bank Holidays and option to purchase moreA pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20%Continuing Professional Development – genuine opportunities to grow, develop and specialise in your careerManagement development programmesInvestment into your wellbeingAccess to Employee Discount scheme with a range of programmes (Cycle Benefit Scheme, GymFlex, Retail Discounts and more)We promote flexible & hybrid working arrangements where possible to support a healthy work-life balanceClosing date: 6th May 2024 at 23:59DisclaimerCroydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements. 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 an Enhanced DBS check which allows them to work with children.Additional Information