Senior Practitioner in Ashford - Connect2Kent

Connect2Kent recruit exclusively for Kent County Council. We recruit for a range of Social Work position's both Locum and Permanent.

Kent County Council are Ofsted rated as 'Outstanding'. We are currently seeking a Locum Senior Practitioner to join the Children in Care team, based in Ashford, Kent. At least 3 years experience as a Qualified Social Worker is required.

Purpose of the Job:

Demonstrate expert and effective practice in complex situations, assessing and managing higher levels of risk, striking a balance between support and control, liaising with a wide range of professionals. Manage complex caseloads and offer expert opinion within the organisation and to others. Model good practice setting expectations for others, continuing to develop specialisms and act as champions across the services in their area of expertise.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Manage a caseload of complex cases involving high levels of risk and needs to a high standard to ensure resources are utilised effectively..

• Provide a high quality resource of professional social work knowledge and expertise to a team of Social Workers, to include student supervision, chairing complex meetings, assisted fieldwork, attendance in court, case audits and reviews etc, to assist the team in ensuring that it carries out its core tasks to a high standard.

• Provide coaching and mentoring support to Social Workers, including those undertaking social work training, to support and further their professional knowledge and development to impact upon the overall quality of practice within teams

• Attend court, where appropriate, to assist the team in ensuring that key professional input and expertise is provided to high profile and sensitive cases.

• Act as Practice Assessor to support student placements/ASYE.

• Liaise regularly with colleagues throughout the Council to ensure social work staff deliver existing and new practices consistently and to a high standard.

• Contribute to the development of new initiatives through attendance or leadership on working groups, multi agency forums, training courses etc and acting as lead for identified service initiatives, i.e. planning for permanence and research work, to develop current and new ways of working that meet service requirements.

• Maintain awareness of changes in legislation and related policies and practices and ensure all social work staff are also informed of these changes to enable consistent and timely implementation.

Testimonials:

"I have very much enjoyed working in the child in care team which is an experience I have not previously had. I have learnt so much in the time I have been working here and feel nothing but supported. Yes, this is a busy role but also very rewarding in lots of ways. There is also a good balance with home and office working and autonomy with our diaries too.

I have a great manager and service manager who have personally been supportive to me in all aspects whether relating to work or personal matters and this support has never waivered even with me being a locum social worker."

"As a locum for KCC, notably the Ashford CIC team, I feel genuinely valued as a worker and I feel a part of the team. I feel my contributions to the service are appreciated and I have received positive feedback from management for my practice. Where needed, I have had the protection and support to enhance my practice and develop my skills, which has gently and appropriately stretched me. I have cultivated a new level of knowledge. Supervision is very good. Overall, this last year working for the Ashford Child In Care team as a locum has been the highlight of my social work career."

Connect2Kent is a trading style of Commercial Services Kent LTD - A company wholly owned by Kent County Council. Connect2Kent is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.