Senior Practitioner - Children’s Social Work Services

Looking to develop your best practice?

We are the right team, at the right time and in the right place.

The right team

Doing the best for the children of Kent depends on a team effort. We celebrate our Senior Practitioners who work hard to foster a culture of excellence and collaboration – a place where all social workers are empowered to be creative, share ideas and advice.

And the right team needs the right managers. Ours have a well-deserved reputation for being supportive and giving regular, quality supervision. There are also many credible expert practitioners to learn from and you’ll find them approachable and keen to help. Sharing knowledge is part of who we are. Together, our teams deliver strengthened services and improved outcomes for children.

Our people, An integral part of re-thinking the way we work remotely is support for YOU going forward. Here you'll find the support, guidance and training available for all colleagues and managers to enable you to make flexible working work for you, your team and your service.

The right time

There has never been a better time to join us. We have invested in every area of our service including the careers of outstanding people who share our commitment to improving young lives in Kent.

The right place

We are proud of our Ofsted rating of outstanding and we are continuing to develop excellent services and ensure ‘Children are at the centre of Kent County Council’s culture and practice’ (Ofsted 2022.) As one of the largest Children’s Social Work Service in the country, we offer a comprehensive learning and development framework in Kent. And because one size doesn’t fit all, we offer opportunities that can be tailored to individual, and team needs.

We can offer a wide variety of work that you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. Kent is a large and diverse county, offering a broad range of opportunities to support children and young people from all backgrounds and circumstances.  You will be able to work across a range of locations and environments, and to be seconded to or move to other teams. 

Meanwhile, you will be free to develop professionally, building your area of specialist practice, and applying your knowledge to high profile and sensitive cases. At this level, you’ll champion good practice and set performance expectations, acting as a Practice Assessor for ASYE and student social workers if required.

You’ll also have the chance to share your expertise through assisted fieldwork, court attendance, case audits and reviews, and by chairing complex meetings. Through working groups and multi-agency forums, you’ll contribute to the development of new initiatives.

About you

Professionally registered with a degree in social work – CQSW, DipSW or equivalent – you’ll have a variety of post-qualification experience of working with children and families. This should cover systemic practice, and you will need an in-depth understanding of legislative and policy frameworks. We’re also looking for the willingness to develop as a practitioner.

Being a team player is essential in any social work team, and you’ll act as a role model and mentor to less experienced colleagues, contributing to training initiatives. The ability to build relationships with colleagues as well as statutory, voluntary, and private sector agencies, will be key.  

Rewards

In return, we offer an attractive benefits package, a competitive salary and a range of professional development opportunities including the exciting social care academy and routes for progression. 

We are also committed to ensuring you achieve a healthy work life balance with flexible working arrangements and an emphasis on health and well-being.

Transport

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wide operational area including travelling around the county of Kent and beyond to transport children and their belongings and be available to do so in an emergency. 

This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence – The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability.

Eligibility

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service and up to date registration with the appropriate professional body as a qualified Social Worker.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis. Please do not re-apply if you have been interviewed for this post in the last six months.

Contact Details:

To find out more about the role please get in touch today by emailing socialcarerecruitment@kent.gov.uk or calling us on 0331 6309541.