Advanced Practitioner (Children Looked After)
P05: £52,674 pa rising in annual increments to £55,710 pa incl. LW
Permanent / Full-Time/ Hybrid Working
We are seeking an experienced Advanced Practitioner to join our team within the Children Looked After (CLA) Service.
About the CLA Service
The Children Looked After (CLA) service provides support to children, young people, and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) aged 0-16 who are in care. Our service is structured across four teams, each consisting of a Team Manager, Advanced Practitioner, Social Workers, and Personal Advisors (UASC team only).
Our core aim in the CLA service is to ensure that the children and young people we work with are supported to achieve the best possible outcomes. As an Advanced Practitioner, you will support your team in delivering high-quality care planning and promoting the highest standard of social work. You will also be responsible for developing innovative and creative strategies to ensure that children in care are supported to develop their independence and achieve outstanding outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Promote Effective Communication: Foster clear and effective communication with families, advising social workers and other professionals on the necessary steps to achieve positive outcomes for children.
2. Team Management Support: Assist Team Managers with day-to-day management tasks and performance monitoring.
3. Support Complex Casework: Provide social work support for complex and challenging families, guiding and mentoring other social workers in the team.
4. Constructive Challenge: Challenge partners appropriately to ensure the best outcomes for children, young people, and families.
5. Mentorship and Supervision: Provide supervision and mentorship to newly qualified Social Workers and less experienced staff, supporting their development in handling complex and high-risk cases.
6. Autonomous Workload Management: Manage a complex workload with autonomy.
7. Legal: Sound knowledge of court work which includes care proceedings, PO and adoption.
About You:
We are looking for a compassionate, resilient, and experienced individual who has worked with children, young people, and their families in challenging circumstances. The ideal candidate will have:
* A deep understanding of the developmental stages of children and the impact of trauma, neglect, and separation.
* Proficiency in child protection legislation and statutory guidance, including the Children Act 1989 and 2004, and the Adoption and Children Act 2002.
* The ability to build trust and rapport with children and young people, encouraging openness and honest dialogue.
* Creative problem-solving skills to find innovative solutions for challenging situations, ensuring the best possible outcomes for children.
* Experience in providing guidance and supervision to less experienced colleagues, supporting their development.
* A commitment to ongoing professional development, staying up to date with the latest research, policies, and best practices in children’s services.
How to Apply:
If you're interested in this opportunity, click on the apply button and complete an online application by uploading a Cover Letter and CV.
Please make sure your Cover Letter clearly evidences how you meet the criteria marked with an 'A' at shortlist stage on the job specification page.
We operate an anonymised application process, so be sure to remove personal details when uploading your CV and Cover Letter.
Closing Date: 30th March 2025 at midnight
Lambeth aims for quality services and equal opportunities for all and is committed to safer recruitment.
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