Job title: Advanced Practitioner – Social Work
Salary: PO5 £47,754 to £50,788 pro rata
Hours: 18.5 – 37 hours a week (various)
Contract: Various
Location: Leeds (various office bases)
As an Advanced Practitioner in our children’s social work team, you will thrive on working restoratively with children and families by building strong relationships to inspire positive change and sustainable outcomes.
We provide comprehensive support and training packages for social workers at all levels with clear career progression opportunities. Our established in-house management team offers continuous support, guidance and reflective supervision alongside an in-depth programme of continuing professional development.
We have various contracts on offer including permanent or temporary contracts on either a full-time, part-time or job-share basis to suitably qualified candidates. We are open to flexible working arrangements, subject to service needs being fulfilled, to support your work-life balance.
We are proud to be part of Leeds children’s services, rated by Ofsted as outstanding, and to be an award-winning employer, recognised as best employer in the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2019.
We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As an Advanced Practitioner you will hold an appropriate professional qualification (degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) and must be registered with Social Work England on commencement in post.
In addition to your professional qualification and registration you will have completed Practice Educator Level 2.
You will also bring to the role:
* extensive experience in a child protection setting.
* ability to mentor, coach and advise newly qualified and less experienced social work staff.
* strong communication and collaboration skills to build productive working relationships in a multi-agency environment.
* ability to engage individuals, families and carers and use their views to inform complex assessments, plans and interventions.
* extensive and up-to-date knowledge of relevant trends, policies, regulation and safeguarding.
About the role
As an Advanced Practitioner in Children and Families, you will be integral to a close-knit, supportive team which has your professional and personal wellbeing at heart.
You will provide a high quality comprehensive social work service, managing a complex caseload with a child-focused approach, underpinned by our culture of restorative practice and family decision making. We work closely with local health and third sector partners, and you will develop and maintain these strong links in your role.
You will support the Team Manager on day-to-day operational issues and mentor less senior colleagues. You will model skills in relationship building, developing positive working partnerships internally and with our local health and third sector partners.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
* a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
* membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
* flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
* a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
* a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal discussion about the area roles, please contact Fiona Tharme 0113 3784007 or Gemma Hill 0113 3784957.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
This post is subject to a higher-level check with the Disclosure & Barring Service.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK.
Job Description
Job purpose: The Advanced Practitioner role is to deal with the most complex cases requiring a social worker of considerable experience with a wide knowledge base and excellent skills. The role will predominantly manage a complex caseload, support the team manager on day-to-day operational issues and work on complex cases with less experienced workers to ensure quality and consistency and to disseminate learning.
Responsibilities:
* Manage a caseload of the most complex cases.
* Undertake complex case assessments.
* This post demands increased level of autonomy and decision making.
* Ensure that your practice adopts an anti-racist and anti-discriminatory approach.
* To co-work and coach less experienced social workers on cases.
* Support Team Managers in overseeing and decision making with regard to allocation of cases and workloads.
* Mentor, coach and advise newly qualified and less experienced social work staff.
* Chairing planning and review meetings.
* Lead and contribute to strategic developments.
* To effectively use and manage appropriate financial resources.
* Flexible working arrangements may be necessary on occasion.
* Lead on and participate in appraisal, training and development activities.
* Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service.
* Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
* Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation.
Qualifications:
The post requires an appropriate professional qualification (DipSW, Degree, CQSW or equivalent). You should be registered with Social Work England upon commencement of the post.
Essential requirements:
* Extensive post qualifying experience in Children and Families Work.
* Of developing inter agency and multi-disciplinary approaches.
* Of providing structured supervision for social work staff/students.
* Of preparing and presenting high quality reports.
* Able to communicate, negotiate and influence a wide range of practitioners.
* Competent in the use of IT systems.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
* Ability to inspire and motivate self and colleagues.
* To be committed to deliver high quality social care services.
* To deliver services to children and young people with a clear child centred approach.
* Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours.
Desirable requirements:
* Possession of a full current driving licence.
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