Senior Practitioner

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: Grade I. Scale 35 - £46,142 to Scale 39 - £50,269 with a professional bar at Scale 37 - £48,226**

Hours Per Week: 36 hours

Base Location: Tameside One

Assessment Date: 20^th May 2026

The Role

Are you passionate about being the difference to the lives of children and families? Do you bring, compassion, curiosity, collaboration, conversation and courage to your practice? If so, we want you to join Team Tameside.

This is an exciting time to join Tameside’s Children’s Services.

The role of the Senior Practitioner involves working with children in need of protection, supporting families through preproceedings and family court, and delivering consistent, childcentred interventions.

The role will involve leading others, offering guidance and support and leading by example, modelling best practice. Coworking complex cases, modelling reflective and relationshipbased practice, and embedding strong professional standards across the team.

This role will have a focus on mentoring, supporting and inspiring newly qualified social workers, to enable a supportive, confident, and skilled workforce. Driving Tameside’s Heart of Support Practice Approach for new members of the team.

This role offers the chance to not only shape the lives of Tameside children, but also to shape the future of your profession by developing the next generation of social work professionals.

At the heart of this role is our Heart of Support Practice Approach, underpinned by the 5 C’s Compassion, Curiosity, Collaboration, Conversation and Courage. These values are the golden thread in how we work with children, families and each other. You will champion the Heart of Support and play a pivotal role in embedding systemic practice across the service.

We are committed to safeguarding and championing the welfare of children, young people, and families. Protecting and empowering our communities is at the heart of everything we do, and we expect every member of our team to share that commitment and help us make a meaningful difference.

About You

We are looking for a skilled and experienced Social Worker, seeking the next step into a Senior Practitioner role bringing to the role passion for highquality practice, leadership, and professional development to a wider team.

We’re seeking an experienced practitioner with strong communication and interpersonal skills, along with the confidence and influence to inspire positive change.

You will help drive improvements in practice, champion quality, and embed a strong learning culture across Children’s Services.

This position is ideal for a compassionate social worker who is committed to guiding and empowering others while continuing to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children.

About Us

Hear from Jill Colbert OBE, Director of Children’s Services

“When I first joined the council at the beginning of 2025 I was instantly charmed by the warmth, openness, and energy of my colleagues.

“The reason why I came to Tameside was because I knew we could do fantastic things for our families here.

“Whilst we’re currently a children’s service on a significant improvement journey, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together, and this is already making a difference for our children.

“I know from the feedback from our Commissioner, Ofsted and our Strategic Improvement Partner, that families are seeing and feeling the impact of the thoughtful and compassionate support delivered by our workforce.

“We know that if we keep children at the centre of our thinking and our actions, we will create meaningful change for them that lasts.

“We are also growing and investing in our future. We have a range of specialist services for children, giving social workers quick access to expert help that makes complex decisions easier and supports better outcomes. Our Social Work Academy is led by people who bring passion to learning. We are strengthening our progression pathways so that staying in Tameside is rewarded and recognised. We have invested in innovation and improvement so that we can grow services and support for families that we can sustain, from family hubs through to complex safeguarding.

“Together, we are creating a proud, inclusive, and safe environment where great practice can truly flourish. And I feel incredibly privileged to lead this journey alongside such dedicated colleagues.

“Be a part of something great, be a part of our improvement journey and join us at Team Tameside.”

Our Heart of Support Practice Approach

At Tameside, we believe in:

• Compassion understanding the lived experiences of children and families.
• Curiosity asking questions that lead to deeper insight and better outcomes for children.
• Collaboration working together across services to deliver joined-up support.
• Conversation listening and engaging meaningfully with children, families and professionals.
• Courage leading with courage, making bold and compassionate decisions that put children first.

** This post is classified as being in a professional job category. As such the grade for the job has a professional grade development bar which employees can progress through subject to meeting the following criteria:

1. Relevant professional qualification for the job role at Level 6 or above, AND

2. Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in the role, AND

3. Maintained membership of a regulated body where this is a requirement to practice in the role where applicable, AND

4. Professional standards practised to the highest expected level.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This position is subject to Enhanced Disclosure Procedures.

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.

Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed here

For further information about this role please contact the recruiting manager Philip Wilkinson on 0161 342 4085 or Philip.wilkinson@tameside.gov.uk