Advance Social Work Practitioner

Wakefield Council

  • Wakefield
  • £51,356-54,495 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 day ago
We are seeking a passionate and experienced Advanced Social Work Practitioner to join our friendly and welcoming Recruitment and Assessing Team within the fostering service. This is a key role that supports the recruitment and assessment of prospective foster carers, including the transfer of registration for existing approved foster families. In addition you may at times complete Connected Carer assessments and will hold responsibility or Assessment of Private Fostering arrangements and monitoring of successful arrangements.As an Advanced Practitioner, you will work directly with prospective foster carers, children and young people, and a range of professionals to ensure high-quality outcomes. You will play a vital role in supervising workers within the team, offering guidance and support to maintain consistent standards of practice. You will also step in to support the management team when required, contributing to both operational and strategic decision-making. A key part of your role will be to take the lead in delivering training to foster carers, including both preparation courses for new applicants and refresher training to support ongoing development in their role as foster carers.Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead and participate in recruitment and participation events, both public-facing and virtual, involving foster carers and their children.
  • Undertake duty tasks and respond to enquiries from prospective carers.
  • Conduct home visits and complete initial assessments of suitability to foster.
  • Complete Form F assessments and present them at foster panel.
  • Facilitate and deliver the three-day preparation to foster course and other training opportunities for both approved and prospective carers.
  • Promote and encourage attendance at training events.
  • Organise support and consultation groups for looked-after children and birth children.
  • Undertake Connected Carers and Private Fostering assessments as required.
  • Supervise and support team members, offering guidance and oversight to ensure consistent quality of work.
  • Step in to support the management team in operational and strategic tasks when needed.
  • Report safeguarding concerns to the line manager promptly.
  • Maintain accurate and timely records of all work undertaken.
About You:
  • Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
  • Experience working with children and young people in both group and one-to-one settings.
  • Strong understanding of the needs and circumstances of children and young people in care.
  • Excellent communication, organisational, and time management skills.
  • Ability to build strong relationships with children, carers, and professionals.
  • Experience in the fostering sector is desirable but not essential.
  • Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
  • Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
  • Commitment to therapeutic training and continuous professional development.
What We Offer:
  • Flexible, home-based working arrangements to support work-life balance.
  • Excellent CPD opportunities.
  • Generous annual leave entitlement.
  • Access to an occupational pension scheme.
  • A range of employee benefits including discounts on healthcare, public transport, and gym memberships.
Job title Advance Social Work Practitioner Job reference 243420 Date posted 24/06/2025 Application closing date 07/09/2025 Location Queens House, Market Street, Wakefield, WF1 1LE Salary £51,356.00 - £54,495.00, Grade 12, 37 hours, Permanent Package Blank Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Full time, Permanent, Social Work Attachments Job descriptionWe are seeking a passionate and experienced Advanced Social Work Practitioner to join our friendly and welcoming Recruitment and Assessing Team within the fostering service. This is a key role that supports the recruitment and assessment of prospective foster carers, including the transfer of registration for existing approved foster families. In addition you may at times complete Connected Carer assessments and will hold responsibility or Assessment of Private Fostering arrangements and monitoring of successful arrangements.As an Advanced Practitioner, you will work directly with prospective foster carers, children and young people, and a range of professionals to ensure high-quality outcomes. You will play a vital role in supervising workers within the team, offering guidance and support to maintain consistent standards of practice. You will also step in to support the management team when required, contributing to both operational and strategic decision-making. A key part of your role will be to take the lead in delivering training to foster carers, including both preparation courses for new applicants and refresher training to support ongoing development in their role as foster carers.Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead and participate in recruitment and participation events, both public-facing and virtual, involving foster carers and their children.
  • Undertake duty tasks and respond to enquiries from prospective carers.
  • Conduct home visits and complete initial assessments of suitability to foster.
  • Complete Form F assessments and present them at foster panel.
  • Facilitate and deliver the three-day preparation to foster course and other training opportunities for both approved and prospective carers.
  • Promote and encourage attendance at training events.
  • Organise support and consultation groups for looked-after children and birth children.
  • Undertake Connected Carers and Private Fostering assessments as required.
  • Supervise and support team members, offering guidance and oversight to ensure consistent quality of work.
  • Step in to support the management team in operational and strategic tasks when needed.
  • Report safeguarding concerns to the line manager promptly.
  • Maintain accurate and timely records of all work undertaken.
About You:
  • Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
  • Experience working with children and young people in both group and one-to-one settings.
  • Strong understanding of the needs and circumstances of children and young people in care.
  • Excellent communication, organisational, and time management skills.
  • Ability to build strong relationships with children, carers, and professionals.
  • Experience in the fostering sector is desirable but not essential.
  • Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
  • Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
  • Commitment to therapeutic training and continuous professional development.
What We Offer:
  • Flexible, home-based working arrangements to support work-life balance.
  • Excellent CPD opportunities.
  • Generous annual leave entitlement.
  • Access to an occupational pension scheme.
  • A range of employee benefits including discounts on healthcare, public transport, and gym memberships.

Wakefield Council