Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It’s an exciting time to join us. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, we’re delighted and at the same time humbled to have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years!

Please take a look at our ‘No Magic’ Children & Families video here

Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and

Fostering

The Fostering Service recruit, assess, support and develop foster carers. The teams match children to families and provide continual support. Placement support is a real strength across the fostering service, as it strives to achieve permanence and the very best outcomes for the children in care in Essex. This is an exciting time within the Fostering Service as there are many new developments taking place and it is a great opportunity to be part of a supportive and dedicated team.

You will be supporting foster carers in moving children on to new placements, independence or the process of reunification work with families in a positive manner. Identifying gaps in the foster carer’s competency, running support groups and training courses. Working in partnership with professionals to ensure that children and young people and members of the fostering household have their assessed needs met. Attending looked after children’s reviews, placement planning meetings and other meetings, as required.

The Role The Senior Practitioner role provides leadership in the team, providing both support and mentoring to newly qualified or less experienced staff and deputising for the Team Manager when needed. They will have responsibility to lead in a practice area. There will be good opportunities for their own professional development and for being part of developing our team and service. There is an ethos of openness to the development of new ideas, particularly to reinforce our relationship-based focus, both with our Foster carers and within the staff group. Skills and knowledge

· A recognised social work qualification i.e diploma, degree or masters in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent, with current registration with Social Work England (SWE) as a registered social worker.

· Evidence of continuing professional development, aligned to any relevant Professional Competency/Capability frameworks or Knowledge and Skills Statements.

· Significant experience of social work, demonstrating a comprehensive and up to date understanding of all relevant legislation, regulation and guidance.

· Experience of mentoring both social work students and newly qualified and experienced social work staff, being a subject matter expert in professional social work practice.

· Experience of chairing meetings involving clients, family members and/or carers and other multi-agency professionals.

· Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for children, young people and families.

· In depth understanding of delivery of value for money interventions balanced against need.

· Proven track record of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.

Children & Families: https://www.workingforessex.com/role/children-families

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees. More information can be found here pay and reward

To view our Organisational Behaviours information please follow this link.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community here .

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.