Advanced Practitioner

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To provide a high-quality Social Work service to vulnerable separated children and young people, promoting their welfare, safety, independence and life opportunities through effective assessment, planning, intervention and review.

The postholder will manage complex cases, provide expert social work practice, and contribute to achieving positive outcomes for children and young people in accordance with statutory requirements, safeguarding responsibilities and Social Work England standards. The role requires strong partnership working with internal teams, external agencies and key stakeholders to ensure coordinated and effective support.

The successful candidate will be expected to undertake complex assessments, support care planning processes and provide professional expertise relating to separated children and young people. Experience of working with separated children and undertaking age assessments would be advantageous.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of separated children and young people, ensuring high-quality assessment, planning, intervention and review.
  
• Undertake assessments in accordance with the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families.
  
• Complete Child and Family Assessments, Care Plans, Pathway Plans and statutory reviews.
  
• Undertake direct work with children and young people to understand and respond to their needs.
  
• Promote positive outcomes, wellbeing, safeguarding and independence for children and young people.
  
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with partner agencies, professionals, carers and families.
  
• Contribute to integrated working arrangements across children's services and partner organisations.
  
• Undertake age assessments where required (where suitably experienced and trained).
  
• Carry out regular reviews of individual care and support plans and implement changes where appropriate.
  
• Prepare detailed and high-quality reports for:
  
  • Statutory Reviews
    
  • Child Protection Conferences
    
  • Court Proceedings
    
  • Panels
    
  • Multi-Agency Meetings
    
• Attend court hearings and provide evidence where required.
  
• Ensure all statutory responsibilities and duties are completed within required timescales.
  
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records using electronic recording systems.
  
• Operate in accordance with Social Work England professional standards and the Professional Capabilities Framework.
  
• Provide professional advice, support and guidance to colleagues where appropriate.
  
• Participate actively in supervision, performance management and professional development activities.
  
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives and best practice development.
  
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection, equality and health and safety requirements.
  

Requirements

Essential

• Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
  
• Minimum of 3 years post-qualifying Social Work experience.
  
• Significant experience working within Children's Social Care.
  
• Experience managing complex safeguarding and child welfare cases.
  
• Strong knowledge of:
  
  • Children Act legislation
    
  • Safeguarding procedures
    
  • Children in Need processes
    
  • Care Planning
    
  • Statutory Social Work responsibilities
    
  • Child Protection procedures
    
• Experience undertaking assessments and producing high-quality reports.
  
• Ability to work effectively with children, young people, families and partner agencies.
  
• Strong assessment, analytical and decision-making skills.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Ability to maintain accurate case records and meet statutory deadlines.
  
• Full UK Driving Licence.
  
• Access to a vehicle for business use.
  

Desirable

• Experience working with Separated Children and Young People.
  
• Experience undertaking Age Assessments.
  
• Experience working with Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC).
  
• Practice Educator qualification.
  
• Experience presenting evidence at court and formal hearings.
  
• Knowledge of immigration and asylum-related legislation affecting children and young people.
  

Additional Information

• Location: Hybrid Working (Solihull)
  
• Hours Per Week: 37 Hours
  
• Payment Frequency: Bi-Weekly Payments