Senior Practitioner – Family Help North Locality (Ref: CH11025)
Walsall Council – Grade: G11; £51,356 – £54,495 per annum (pay scales under review). Permanent.
Children are at the heart of Walsall local authority. They receive support, help and services that reduce risks for them and meet their needs. (Ofsted, 2025)
Do you want to join our OUTSTANDING local authority?
This is a fast‑paced and rewarding role where you’ll work closely with families and professionals to assess risk, build safety plans and help children thrive. If you're passionate about making a real difference to children and families at the earliest point of intervention, we’d love to hear from you. It has never been a more exciting time to join us in Walsall!
We are excited to hear from social workers who feel ready, with support, to work with a small number of children within a complex situation, support their Team Manager with specific tasks, help improve team performance and through sharing their experience and knowledge, help colleagues reflect and develop their practice.
About The Job
In the role of senior practitioner, you will be responsible for ensuring we continue to provide “Outstanding” support for our children and families, through the support you provide the practitioner within your team. You will be part of a leadership team that has created a learning organisation with effective and accountable relationships with each other and with partners (Ofsted, 2025).
You will undertake quality social work assessments (called Understanding Our Family Assessment) and develop child‑focused plans with families. You will work collaboratively with our families, partners and team members within the family help and protection teams, bringing together and coordinating the team around the child to ensure a multi‑disciplinary approach to safeguarding and support, as well as Assessment, Planning, Implementation and Review. You will support your team manager by chairing Strategy Meetings, Team Meetings and assisting with day‑to‑day management of the team.
The ‘Our family’ assessments are detailed and provide a strong understanding of both the children’s and their family’s needs. These needs are then clearly articulated in plans. The quality of social work assessments of children’s needs is a particular strength. The voice of the child is evidenced through direct work, cultural genograms and an exploration of the family’s history.
Closing Date: 24th April 2026
Requirements
This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder must communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.
Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care. The post holder must complete an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC).
Applicants must provide a detailed Supporting Information statement describing how their skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. Please also complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Do not add a CV as we do not accept them.
Recruitment Guidelines
We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting agency applications or referrals at this time.
At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over‑reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole – particularly your Supporting Information – reflects your own voice.
Background
Walsall Council’s Children’s Services are the only Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ local authority in the Black Country. During a visit in May 2025, Inspectors described Walsall Council as a place where children were at the heart of the service. The council’s journey of continuous improvement started in 2017 and has since transformed into a service with a clear vision, clear priorities and a clear plan, all informed by the views of staff and children. Staff are at the core of delivering great outcomes for children and young people in Walsall, which is underpinned by the Walsall Right 4 Children vision.
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