Senior Practitioner – Children & Young People with Disabilities – Mid Essex

Overview

Senior Practitioner in the Young People with Disabilities Mid team leads practice, supports staff development, and manages complex caseloads to improve outcomes for children and young people with disabilities. You will mentor colleagues, contribute to service development, and work across partners in a relationship-based social work model. The role sits at the intersection of safeguarding, transition to adulthood, and holistic family support, within a striving, high-performing service.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible working arrangements
• support for unpaid carers
• development opportunities
• disability confident employer
• opportunities for career progression
• employee wellbeing initiatives

Responsibilities

• Manage complex caseloads for children and young people with disabilities, delivering assessments and support
• Provide integrated services to assist families and facilitate transitions to adulthood
• Oversee duty, supervise team members, and deputise for the Team Manager
• Lead in a practice area and contribute to service development projects
• Maintain records, prepare reports, and participate in meetings and reviews
• Build relationships with other teams and external agencies for coordinated support
• Offer advice and advocacy for service users
• Seek training and development opportunities
• Mentor newly qualified and less experienced staff
• Chair meetings involving clients, families, and multi-agency professionals
• Develop partnerships to achieve joint objectives
• Understand financial implications of care packages

Key requirements

• Registered Social Worker with Social Work England
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience in Children’s Services with social work practice at a qualified level
• Experience with Child Protection work and court/section 47 investigations (preferred)
• Experience in court work related to Child Care matters
• Knowledge of CA1989, CJA1991 and related legislation
• Ability to travel across the Essex area; driving licence or mobility alternative essential
• IT/Word processing skills
• Ability to work in a relationship-based, systemic social work setting

• leadership and mentoring
• partnership building
• effective communication
• systemic social work approach
• case management and reporting
• court preparation and attendance

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