Location
Romford, London Borough of Havering

Hours
Full Time, Permanent

Salary
Grade 9 - Advanced Practitioner £54,267 to £58,467 per annum plus an additional Market Supplement of £4,000

About the Role
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of children, young people, and families? Do you want to be part of a transformative journey to improve Havering’s Children’s Social Care Services within the Starting Well Department? Following a recent Ofsted inspection, we are committed to re-establishing and reinvigorating great practice across all services delivered in Havering. We seek dedicated and enthusiastic social care practitioners ready to advocate for children, promote their well-being, and embrace the challenge of working in a local authority undergoing improvement.

The role involves contributing to the delivery of effective children’s social care services as part of a social work team, improving outcomes for children and young people. You will manage caseloads based on experience, grade, and case complexity, using specialist knowledge for interventions, assessments, care planning, and child protection investigations.

Key responsibilities include directly managing and supervising a small number of qualified and non-social work staff, managing complex and challenging cases, supporting team managers to maintain high professional standards, and representing the service in developing key provisions or local strategic initiatives. You will provide consultation, coaching, and mentoring within the team, support team development and recruitment, and promote evidence-based interventions and high-quality case management.

We promote a hybrid working model with flexibility between our town hall campus and hubs. Face-to-face team building and practice development opportunities are encouraged to foster strong working relationships.

As one of London’s greenest boroughs, we value resourcefulness, initiative, and fresh ideas. There are many opportunities for career progression and development through our Social Care Academy and dedicated learning days. Join us and make a meaningful difference to the community of Havering.

Experience
Proven experience in children’s social care practice, including managing complex cases and delivering child protection interventions. Experience in supervising and supporting staff is essential. Specialist knowledge in an area of social work practice with children and families is required.

About you
You are passionate about improving outcomes for children and families, motivated to work within a local authority undergoing improvement, and committed to high professional standards. You are resourceful, proactive, and able to work collaboratively within a team. You embrace learning and development opportunities and are willing to support and mentor colleagues.

Qualifications
Relevant social work qualification and registration with the appropriate professional body are required. Commitment to ongoing professional development and adherence to safeguarding responsibilities is essential.