Job Description
Advanced Practitioner - Mockingbird Team, Devon County Council (Exeter)\n\nUp to £40 per hour\n\nThis is a fantastic chance to join our pioneering Mockingbird programme, an innovative fostering model that creates a supportive network for foster carers, improving stability and outcomes for children in care. As an integral member of this dedicated team, you will play a key role in driving excellence and providing expert guidance.\n\nKey Responsibilities:\n\n * Provide professional guidance, support, and supervision to social workers and other team members, promoting high standards of practice.\n\n * Support the Team Manager in the day-to-day operational management of the Mockingbird team.\n\n * Manage a smaller caseload of foster carers, providing intensive support and supervision to ensure positive outcomes for children in care.\n\n * Undertake fostering standards of care concerns or allegation investigations in line with safeguarding procedures.\n\n * Act as a foster panel advisor, contributing to the assessment and approval of prospective foster carers.\n\n * Share your expertise and provide mentoring to new and less experienced team members.\n\n * Lead and contribute to service improvement initiatives, championing evidence-based practice.\n\n * Encourage and support opportunities for reflection and learning within the team.\n\n * Deliver on-the-job training, coaching, and mentoring to unqualified/alternatively qualified staff, students, and social workers.\n\n * Champion high standards of professional social work practice in line with the BASW Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF).\n\n * Work holistically with foster carers, children in care, their families, and partner agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes.\n\n * Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in accordance with Devon County Council policies and procedures.\n\nSkills and Experience:\n\nAs an Advanced Social Worker within our Mockingbird team, you will demonstrate strong leadership qualities and a commitment to fostering excellence. You will have:\n\n * Substantial post-qualifying experience in children's social work, ideally within a fostering setting.\n\n * A strong understanding of fostering regulations, legislation, and best practice.\n\n * The ability to demonstrate that you are working in line with the BASW Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF).\n\n * Proven ability to work holistically with foster carers, children in care, and partner agencies.\n\n * Evidence of significant post-qualifying training and professional development.\n\n * The ability to lead improvement initiatives and constructively challenge social care practice to enhance quality.\n\n * A passion for championing high standards of professional social work practice.\n\n * Excellent communication, interpersonal, and assessment skills.\n\n * Experience in providing supervision, mentoring, and coaching to colleagues.\n\n * A commitment to reflective practice and continuous learning.\n\nWhat We Offer:\n\n * Competitive hourly rate of up to £40 per hour.\n\n * The opportunity to be part of an innovative and highly regarded Mockingbird team.\n\n * A supportive and experienced management team.\n\n * Regular supervision and excellent opportunities for professional development and training.\n\n * The chance to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of children and foster carers in Devon.\n\n * A rewarding and challenging role where your expertise will be valued.\n\n * A commitment to your well-being and a positive working environment.\n\n * Based in the vibrant city of Exeter with excellent transport links and a high quality of life