Advanced Practitioner - Frontline

Northamptonshire Children’s Trust is a partner with Frontline which involved us having 2 Frontline Student Hubs in our organisation.

We are looking to recruit two Consultant Social Workers. The first position is a permanent role within the hub to oversee our Corby-based unit. The second position is a secondment/12-month fixed-term maternity cover role to oversee our Northampton-based unit. In Northamptonshire, these roles are referred to as our Frontline Consultant Social Workers.

What is Frontline?

Frontline is an intensive social work qualifying programme which offers people the opportunity to train on the job as child protection social workers. Participants on the programme work in units of four, which are managed by a Consultant Social Worker.

Frontline Consultant Social Workers (CSW) are vital to the Frontline model. Each CSW is responsible for five participants who are undertaking their Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work. The CSW’s work with participants using a unit model approach – a systemic practice model for working with families, with cases managed through weekly unit meetings. These meetings provide a dynamic learning environment and a reflective space to think systemically about the cases in your unit. The role offers those who wish to remain in practice the opportunity to do so alongside the chance to take on supervisory and management responsibility for a small team. For more information about these roles please see the attached JD and Frontline information packs.

What will I get from being a Frontline Consultant Social Worker?

• An exciting opportunity for experienced practitioners to remain in practice whilst also taking on a management and teaching role.
• Access to a high-quality training programme and the opportunity to work towards a Foundation level in Systemic Practice.
• Access to 1:1 coaching and mentoring from a Practice Tutor.
• Be part of a national network of CSW’s contributing to innovations in practice and broader social work reforms.
• After completing one year in the role you will become part of the Frontline Fellowship.
• Practice Educator Training (if you don’t already have this qualification).

About you

• You are a positive, solution-focused and flexible person with a passion for developing others.
• You have experience in supervising others.
• You have a PEP 2 qualification or are willing to undertake this qualification.
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• You have knowledge of the PCF’s and KSS.
• You have experience in Children’s safeguarding practice and knowledge of relevant legislation.
• You have excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise work effectively.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Barred List check.

We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do.

We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:

• SWE Registration paid yearly (social care colleagues).
• Recruitment Welcome Bonus of £6,000.
• Relocation costs of up to £8,000.
• 28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days after 5 years.
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
• Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits.
• A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions.
• Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities.
• Subsidised town centre car parking scheme.

About us

At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do – in every decision we make and every action we take. Our mission is driven by the unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them. The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils.

Our workforce are our most valuable asset and are pivotal to making the services and support we offer to children, young people and families who need us to be the absolute best we can be.

We value our colleagues and empower them to be able to do the best job of their lives every single day, working in a culture of support and kindness where achievements are celebrated and creativity is very much welcomed.

At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation. We are a disability confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria.

Join our dedicated team and be a part of an organisation where your work makes a real difference.

Get in touch

We welcome the opportunity to speak to any interested candidates so please feel free to email: Beth Pacey, Service Manager at Beth.Pacey@nctrust.co.uk and they can agree on a mutually agreeable time to call you.