Children in Care Team - Senior Practitioner

Location : Durham County Council

Pay Rate : £24 - £31

Team: Children in Care Team - Senior Practitioner

Role : Full Time

Durham County Council's Children's Services is seeking a dedicated and skilled Senior Practitioner to join our dynamic Children in Care Team. We are committed to providing high-quality support and guidance to children in care, ensuring they have the best possible experience and opportunities to thrive.

Your Role:

As a Senior Practitioner in our Children in Care Team, you will play a vital role in guiding and supporting children in care, ensuring they experience stability, security, and positive outcomes.

Your Responsibilities will include:

• Case Management: Taking on a caseload of children in care, developing individualized care plans tailored to their needs and wishes, and ensuring their care plans are reviewed and updated regularly.
• Direct Work with Children: Working directly with children in care, providing emotional support, guidance, and advocacy, helping them to thrive and reach their full potential.
• Building Relationships: Developing strong, trusting relationships with children in care, their families, and foster carers, providing consistent support and guidance.
• Supporting Transitions: Supporting children through significant transitions, such as moving between placements, returning home, or entering adulthood, ensuring a smooth and positive experience.
• Multi-agency Collaboration: Working closely with other professionals involved in a child's care, including foster carers, education staff, health professionals, and youth justice services, to ensure a holistic approach.
• Promoting Wellbeing: Advocating for the child's rights and needs, ensuring they have access to the appropriate support and resources, promoting their safety and positive development.
• Mentoring and Supervision: Providing guidance and support to junior social workers, promoting best practice and team development.

Key Requirements:

• Social Work Qualification: You must be a qualified Social Worker.
• Social Care England Registration: Essential for this role.
• Updated DBS: Essential for working with children and families.
• Experience with Children in Care: Demonstrated experience working with children in care and a deep understanding of their needs, challenges, and rights.
• Strong Relationship Building Skills: Proven ability to build trusting relationships with children, families, and professionals, creating a safe and supportive environment.
• Advocacy and Communication Skills: Capacity to advocate effectively for children's needs and communicate clearly and sensitively with individuals and families.
• Commitment to Safeguarding Children: Passion for protecting children and ensuring their rights and well-being are paramount.
• Mentoring and Supervision Experience: Experience guiding and supporting junior social workers, promoting best practice and team development.

We offer more than just a job; we offer a rewarding career path.

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Free access to 100s of discounts on the Happi App
• Refer a friend and earn up to £300 (T&Cs apply)
• Nationwide Access to Exciting Social Care Opportunities
• Dedicated Consultant by Your Side
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression
• A supportive and collaborative work environment

Ready to join our dedicated team and make a positive impact? Apply now!

Randstad Care acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Randstad Care is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merits alone.

Did you know that Randstad Care have been awarded a place on the National Clinical Staffing Framework for the NHS? This means we will be able to bring you more opportunities within nursing & midwifery and clinical staffing.