Senior Practitioner - Children with Disabilities

London Borough of Croydon; London; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job description

Senior Practitioner - Children with Disabilities - Croydon Council

Salary: Grade 15 (GBP53,607 - GBP55,620)

Permanent - 36 hours per week

Welcome Payment - GBP5,000
Retention Payment - GBP2,500

Hybrid working

Job Purpose

We expect children and families in Croydon to receive outstanding services from our social work staff. We want our staff to have high expectations and high challenge of their practice and each other. It's an exciting time to be joining us. To meet the changing needs of our children and families we have invested in creating the conditions for social work to flourish. We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Practitioner to join Croydon in our Children with Disabilities Service. There has never been a greater focus on children's services in Croydon than right now, making it an exciting place to take the next step in your social work career. Our statutory service for children and young people with disabilities serves 1200 residents and we need your passion and commitment to continue our development. The successful candidate will have a genuine care and want the best outcomes for Croydon's children and their families. We are committed to doing things differently, taking into account current research and best practice, and are looking for people who want to be part of this journey. We are looking for a Senior Practitioner who is capable of working with professionalism and empathy in equal amounts and can demonstrate that they are skilled in managing complex cases, preferably with disabled children (however, having working experience with children with disabilities is not essential). Your experience of working in a statutory setting will allow you to operate with confidence and emotional intelligence - making effective assessments, implementing plans, delivering interventions and undertaking court work where required.

Candidates will need to have good knowledge and understanding of the legislative framework, relevant research and national developments, and policies relating to children's social work and relevant to the role. The Senior Practitioner roles work with children with complex needs and support the Team Managers in providing leadership of practice.

About You

• Qualified Social Worker and up to date registered with Social Work England.
• Foundation level systemic practice qualification - desirable.
• Knowledge of national policy, strategy and developments regarding children's social care, and areas that impact on children's social care.
• Years of experience as a Social Worker.
• Experience of working in Children with Disabilities Service (desirable).
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, standards and procedures.
• Knowledge of relevant theoretical frameworks, practice models and research findings.
• Knowledge of models of reflective supervision that impact on practice and outcomes.

Why Join Us

In Croydon, our Children's Services has an established Systemic Practice model, experienced leaders, and high support for practitioners. Croydon people and staff are diverse, and we celebrate difference through focus on anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice. We are committed to delivering excellent social work practice and services to our children and families.

• Our team consists of experienced, dedicated practitioners.
• We meet regularly to make sure everyone we work with has the support and knowledge needed to make a difference and be the difference to our families, communities and colleagues.
• At Croydon relationships matter and we are about strong partnerships and working together to make lasting positive change.
• We are an established team who can help you settle in and offer their expertise.
• You will have the support of an extremely knowledgeable understanding manager.
• You will have access to a busy, buzzy, committed workforce and work environment.
• Opportunities to work from home and work flexibly provides you with more work-life balance.
• Opportunities to think together with your manager about career development.
• Support to help you grow, develop, learn and lead.

Benefits

You will be valued for your skills and expertise, supported by the team of experienced professionals, as well as the management at Croydon Council, one of the largest employers in the borough. We also offer:

• Highly competitive compensation package.
• Accredited Systemic Practice training.
• A range of CPD opportunities.
• 29-31 days (grade equivalent) annual leave in addition to Bank Holidays and option to purchase more.
• A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20%.
• Continuing Professional Development - genuine opportunities to grow, develop and specialise in your career.
• Management development programmes.
• Investment into your wellbeing.
• Access to Employee Discount scheme with a range of programmes (Cycle Benefit Scheme, GymFlex, Retail Discounts and more).
• We promote flexible & hybrid working arrangements where possible to support a healthy work-life balance.

To view the Senior Practitioner role profile click here

Closing date: 11 May

Disclaimer

Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.

Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The Successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check which allows them to work with children.