Description Salary: £44,208 - £50,424 per annum (plus a £6,000 annual market supplement*) Grade: F Permanent Contract 37 Hours per Week Why Thurrock? Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve. Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead. This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough. Senior Practitioner We are looking to recruit a dynamic, experienced social worker who is passionate about securing the best outcomes for children. The Assessment Team is responsible for completing Viability Assessments, Special Guardianship Order assessments as well as kinship carer assessments. We offer support to applicants throughout the assessment process, delivering preparation workshops to kinship carer, facilitating support groups for kinship carers and work in unison with the supervising social worker for Kinship carers within the team. The team also takes the lead for Private Fostering and there is a dedicated social worker who leads in this post, that may require the team's support in completing initial visits to potential private foster carers. About you You will need to have a thorough knowledge of the Children Act, with a good understanding and working knowledge of Fostering Regulations and standards. The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently but also as part of a successful team to ensure high quality social work. Assessments will need to reflect the lived experience of applicants and provide details analysis. Written work will need to be clear, concise and correct. Attendance at Court is a possibility and therefore you are likely to have experience of giving evidence. Social Work Degree 5 years post-qualifying experience Social Work England registration What We Offer: Hybrid working Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days rising to 30 after 5 years’ service Career average pension scheme Salary sacrifice schemes such as cycle to work schemes Flexible working to enable work life balance. Maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave above the statutory minimum. Reflective supervision and management support 24-hour health advice and support A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at Enhanced Level with Children's Barred List is required for this role. *Market Supplement reviewed annually Advert Closing Date: Redeployment only: 26th June 2025 Internal & External: 6th July 2025 Interview Date: To Be Confirmed If you would like an informal chat or more information please contact Team Manager Alexandra Cucu at ACucu@thurrock.gov.uk To view the Job Profile and Person Specification please follow the link below: Download Job Profile (PDF Document)