Location: Catford, Lewisham, London
Pay Rate: £41.10 per hour (Umbrella)
Job Type: Locum / Agency Contract
Service Area: Children’s Social Care – Kinship Service
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Advanced Practitioner to join the Kinship Service in Lewisham, based in Catford, London.
This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled social work professional to provide expert practice leadership, strengthen the quality of kinship assessments and support positive outcomes for children and families.
The successful candidate will play a key role in completing and quality-assuring Regulation 24 assessments, providing guidance on complex and high-risk cases, and promoting a culture of reflective practice, professional development and continuous improvement across the service.
Key Responsibilities
* Complete and quality-assure Regulation 24 assessments and other assessments within the Kinship Service.
* Manage complex and high-risk social care cases, providing expert advice and guidance to colleagues.
* Provide supervision, mentoring and professional support to social workers, newly qualified practitioners and students.
* Support compliance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, local policies and practice frameworks.
* Lead quality assurance activities, including monthly case file audits and thematic reviews.
* Facilitate group supervision, reflective practice sessions and team development activities.
* Identify training needs and contribute to continuing professional development across the service.
* Support Practice Educator and Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) arrangements.
* Promote relationship-based, evidence-informed and reflective social work practice.
* Champion staff wellbeing and ensure children, families and carers have meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making.
* Deputise for the Team Manager when required.
* Undertake additional specialist duties, including Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or Best Interest Assessor responsibilities, where appropriately qualified.
Requirements
* Qualified Social Worker with a recognised social work qualification.
* Current registration with Social Work England.
* Significant experience in children's social care and kinship assessments.
* Strong knowledge of Regulation 24, relevant legislation and statutory guidance.
* Experience managing complex and high-risk cases.
* Demonstrable experience in quality assurance, supervision, mentoring or practice development.
* Excellent assessment, analytical, communication and report-writing skills.
* Ability to provide professional leadership and support high-quality, child-centred practice.
* Practice Educator or ASYE assessor experience is desirable.
What’s on Offer?
* £41.10 per hour (Umbrella)
* Opportunity to work within a dedicated Kinship Service in Lewisham.
* A role offering professional leadership, practice development and quality assurance responsibilities.
* The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children, kinship carers and families.
Mandatory: Must have a UK Passport or a Full Right to Work in the UK
How to Apply
If you are an experienced Social Worker with strong kinship assessment skills and a passion for improving practice standards and outcomes for children, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today to be considered for this Advanced Practitioner opportunity in Catford, London.
For more information, contact Natasha Haddon
Salary description
£41.10 - £41.10 per hour