Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Grade I. Scale 35 - £44,711 to Scale 39 - £48,710 with a professional bar at Scale 37 - £46,731**
Hours Per Week: 36 hours per week
Base Location: Ashton Old Library, Old Street, Ashton under-Lyne, OL6 7SG
Assessment Date: Thursday, 24th April 2025
The Role
Tameside Children’s Services are looking for a committed and motivated Senior Practitioner to join our Fostering Service.
The Senior Practitioner role is the first step on the management ladder. You will be part of a team led by a Team Manager. You will hold a reduced caseload of complex cases whilst supporting the Team Manager in improving service delivery and quality.
You will be surrounded by a friendly and supportive network of experienced managers, who will provide you with a comprehensive induction, training, help, and advice to enable you to reach your full potential.
About you
You will be an experienced social work practitioner with a high level of skills and knowledge who models good practice and is passionate about achieving good outcomes for children. You will have an excellent knowledge and understanding of fostering.
We are looking for a practitioner who has excellent leadership skills, energy, and enthusiasm. You will be committed to supporting our plans for improvement and be able to work collaboratively and creatively in order to achieve this.
About Us
Message from Jill Colbert, Director of Children’s Services
“I joined the council at the beginning of 2025 and was instantly charmed by the warmth, openness, and energy of colleagues.
“I came to Tameside for one reason; because I know we can do fantastic things for our families here.
“We’re a children’s service on a significant improvement journey. We know what needs to be different for our children and families and we’re ambitious to deliver that change.
“We have a growing range of specialist services for children, where you can test and grow your skills and practice. We have a Social Work Academy that is led by people who bring passion to learning and who know that the DCS’ of the future are right in front of them. We are working on our progression pathways so that staying in Tameside is rewarded and recognised. We have investment in innovation and improvement from the council so that we can grow services and support for families that we can sustain, from family hubs through to complex safeguarding.
“I am so certain that we can build a proud, inclusive and safe climate for great practice to flourish in Tameside. I’d love you to join me on the journey here at Team Tameside.”
At Tameside, we are committed to ensuring all our Citizens lead long, fulfilling and healthy lives. We are committed to supporting economic growth, providing high quality health and care services, protecting our most vulnerable and creating strong and supportive, self-sufficient communities.
We recognise that our people drive our success and enable the organisation to deliver on its vision, purpose and priorities, and that our people are our most important resource and asset. Our values underpin our practice and behaviours, and are at the heart of everything that we do; and we understand that how we do things is just as important as what we do. We pride ourselves on living by our STRIVE values of Support, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Value Diversity and Engage. Our values underpin our practice and behaviours and are at the heart of everything that we do. How we do things are just as important as what we do.
Our employees’ skills, experience and knowledge are essential to our success along with their happiness, wellbeing, commitment, enthusiasm and motivation to be the best they can be.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This position is subject to Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure Procedures.
** This post is classified as being in a professional job category. As such the grade for the job has a professional grade development bar which employees can progress through subject to meeting the following criteria:
1. Relevant professional qualification for the job role at Level 6 or above, AND
2. Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in the role, AND
3. Maintained membership of a regulated body where this is a requirement to practice in the role where applicable, AND
4. Professional standards practised to the highest expected level.
This post is a designated customer facing role under the fluency duty and requires a specified level of spoken English in the person specification.
Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.
We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.
Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed here
For further information about this role please contact the recruiting manager on 0161 342 2550 or on Deborah.smolka-o’brien@tameside.gov.uk
Reference Number: DPT690