At Staffordshire County Council, we want to invest in you by supporting and developing your career in social work practice. Joining Staffordshire means becoming part of a children and families service committed to safeguarding and improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
Staffordshire County Council is the eighth largest county in England. Our Children’s Services aim to make lives better through a model of restorative practice, inspiring our practitioners daily.
Career Progression Framework
We support your development through:
* Practice Educator Programme
* Aspiring Team Manager programmes
Our social work teams operate across eight districts: Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands, Stafford, Lichfield, Cannock, East Staffordshire, and South Staffordshire.
Main Responsibilities
Our Social Work Practice Lead roles embody the principles of Professor Eileen Munro, focusing on developing social work expertise, promoting best practices, and encouraging research-based, reflective social work. Each Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) in their ASYE1 and ASYE2 years will be assigned a Practice Lead for support.
This role, based within frontline teams in East Staffordshire, aims to retain experienced practitioners while supporting the development and assessment of social workers within their Early Career Framework (ECF). It helps in staff retention through co-working, reflective practice, and nurturing all social workers.
Recruitment of NQSWs will focus on our frontline teams during their first two years, providing essential support for their development, fostering a 'grow our own' culture, and enhancing workforce retention.
Key Tasks of Social Work Practice Leads:
1. Maintain practice expertise, handle complex cases, support policy updates, and share knowledge.
2. Provide tailored support to NQSWs and less experienced staff through supervision, reflection sessions, development activities, and national event participation.
This role also involves strengthening links with partner agencies, supporting recruitment, and role modeling a positive, restorative culture.
The Ideal Candidate
Applicants should have:
* A social work degree and registration with Social Work England
* Significant post-qualifying experience
* Experience in coaching and mentoring
* Knowledge of legislation such as the Children’s Act, Working Together, etc.
* Ability to assess social workers against professional standards and present findings.
We are open to flexible working arrangements.
For more information, contact Michelle Berry at michelle.berry3@staffordshire.gov.uk. Interviews are expected to be held during the week commencing 7 July 2025.
Our Values and Benefits
We foster a community spirit based on shared values, aiming for a better future. Our benefits include a supportive environment, work-life balance, and additional rewards. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare, being an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer, and supporting diverse backgrounds, including care leavers and the armed forces community.
This position is subject to a DBS check, and applicants must disclose any relevant convictions or warnings.
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