Directorate - Children and Young Peoples Services

Six Month fixed term Contract, Full Time, 37 Hours per week

 Now is the time to come and work for Rotherham Council Children and Young People’s Service. For more information about Rotherham Social Care jobs, please visit: https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/childrens-social-work-jobs

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
Our Children and Young People’s Service are currently recruiting an Advanced Practitioner, the “practice expert” in every child’s social care team, to cover a six month term (at a minimum) where an existing Advanced Practitioner is acting up as a Team Manager.

This post is in Child in Need Team 4, where current average caseloads as of 07.11.24 are 14.3 children, and in our Locality service where the overall average caseload is 17.1 children. We have been recognised in a recent Ofsted focused visit for our excellent conditions for practice.

Our Locality service works with children who are subject to Child in Need plans, Child Protection Plans, pre-proceedings, care proceedings and who have a plan of adoption.

Linking to the Principal Social Worker, Advanced Practitioners play a key role in the development of other Social Workers and achieving the best possible practice standards for Rotherham children.

Developing learning solutions that enable specialisms in practice, designing and delivering bespoke packages of training; they will create a culture of learning and coaching that provides Social Workers with skills as trainers, mentors and coaches. 

Advance Practitioners in Rotherham will:

Have a reduced caseload – typically 12-14 children.

·       Offer mentoring and development work for other Social Workers, including carrying out observed practice, direct teaching and co-working

·       Embed Signs of Safety and Restorative Practice approaches in practice

·     Develop their own practice and skills in training, coaching and mentoring and use these in operational teams, working with between six or seven other Social Workers, under supervision of Team Managers

· Lead (with peers) on the practice development agenda across the organisation, as a part of an Advanced Practitioner network led by Principal Social Worker

Key benefits of working at Rotherham Council’s Children and Young People’s service are:

• You will be joining an authority Ofsted rate as Good

• Manageable caseloads.
• Strong management support and oversight with approachable and supportive senior managers
• Regular reflective supervision
• Excellent professional learning & development opportunities – guaranteed 15 days per year, underpinned by the Rotherham Family Approach which incorporates ‘Signs of Safety’, ‘Restorative Approaches’, and ‘Social Pedagogy’ as our methodological approach and framework
• Bespoke Learning Academy to support practitioners
• Excellent social work case management and reporting systems making your job easier
• An accredited social work career pathway to Level 2, 3 and Advanced Practitioner positions and a proven record of ‘growing our own’ at all levels.
• A positive learning environment to enhance your social work career.
• Opportunity to talk to current staff via a virtual drop in to gain a greater insight
• Able to offer fixed term contracts to cover maternity leave should that suit your personal circumstances

If you have any questions regarding these opportunities, please email:

Chris MacDonald, Service Manager, Central Locality: chris.macdonald@rotherham.gov.uk

Close date: Midnight Sunday 24^th November 2024

Shortlisting: Monday 25^th November 2024

Interviews: Wednesday 26^th November 2024 – in person in Rotherham