Senior Practitioner

Role Responsibility

Join Our Canterbury Social Work Service as a Senior Practitioner!
Are you an experienced Social Worker ready to take the next step in your career? Canterbury Social Work Service, based at our Whitstable Local Office, is seeking a skilled and committed Senior Practitioner to join our service.
We are an established and supportive service comprising five dedicated teams who work collaboratively to achieve positive outcomes for children and families. As a Senior Practitioner, you will play a key role in maintaining high standards of practice, supporting colleagues, and contributing to the ongoing development of the service.
Why Join Us?
A strong and supportive team culture
You will join a service where collaborative working, reflective practice and peer support are embedded in our day-to-day work.
A clear focus on professional development
We are committed to developing our workforce, offering a range of learning opportunities, supervision and progression pathways to support your career.
The opportunity to make a meaningful difference
This is a role where your experience and leadership will directly influence outcomes for children and families, as well as the development of others.
If you are passionate about social work and ready to take on a leadership role in a dynamic and supportive environment, we want to hear from you. Join us at Canterbury Social Work Service and be part of a team that is making a positive impact every day.
About you
Professional registration as a social worker with Social Work England – CQSW, DipSW or equivalent – you will have a breadth of post-qualification experience working with children and families.
You will demonstrate:
Experience of systemic practice
A strong understanding of legislative and policy frameworks
The confidence to support and guide others in their practice
The ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and partner agencies
Alongside your professional expertise, you will be committed to continuous learning and to maintaining high standards of social work practice.
Rewards
In return for supporting our ambition to deliver high-quality services, we offer a strong commitment to your professional development.
As a qualified Social Worker with Kent County Council, you will benefit from:
Regular, high-quality supervision and management support
Access to a broad range of training and development opportunities
Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance
A comprehensive benefits package
About us
The right team
Improving outcomes for children in Kent is a shared responsibility. We have developed a culture that promotes high standards, collaborative working and professional curiosity.
Our managers are experienced and approachable, providing consistent supervision and support. You will also have access to expert practitioners across the service, offering opportunities to develop your practice further and learn from experienced colleagues.
The right time
We continue to invest in our services and workforce, strengthening practice and embedding improvements that support children and families across Kent. This is an opportunity to join a service that is committed to learning, development and continuous improvement.
The right place
We are proud of the progress we have made in Kent and remain focused on further strengthening our services, ensuring that children remain at the centre of our culture and practice.
As one of the largest Children’s Social Work Services in the country, we are able to offer a breadth of experience and opportunity. You will have access to a comprehensive learning and development framework, with opportunities tailored to both individual and team needs.
Kent is a large and diverse county, offering varied and rewarding work. You will have the opportunity to develop specialist interests, build strong professional networks and contribute to service development.
As a Senior Practitioner, you will:
Act as a role model and mentor to less experienced colleagues
Contribute to training and development initiatives
Maintain and share up-to-date knowledge of legislation, policy and practice
Support the delivery of consistent, high-quality social work across the service
Benefits
£47,990 – £53,446 per annum
Annual market premium (subject to eligibility)
Generous annual leave allowance
Local Government Pension Scheme
Flexible / hybrid working arrangements
Relocation package (subject to eligibility)
Access to the Social Care Academy and wider CPD opportunities
Clear progression pathways
Whilst we support hybrid working, this role requires mobility across a wide operational area, including travel across Kent and beyond as required, including in emergency situations.
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service and registration as a qualified Social Worker with Social Work England.
This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence – The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability.
This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.
Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis. Please do not reapply if you have been interviewed for this post in the last six months.
Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis. Please do not re-apply if you have been interviewed for this post in the last six months.

Contact Details

To find out more about the role please get in touch today by emailing -
Carrie Bill on
Carrie.Bill@kent.gov.uk

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!
KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.
Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.

Job Description & Person Specification

Senior Practitioner JD.pdf