Job profile

This vacancy is internal, available only to those currently engaged via a contract of employment with the Council. 

Internal Only – This is open to internal, suitably qualified staff on a secondment basis

This post is offered as a secondment opportunity to permanent employees of the Council.  Before applying you should seek approval to be released from your current position. 

We are seeking a creative and motivated senior social work practitioner to join our busy Placement Team. The Placement Team has a wide remit including the recruitment, assessment, training and support of foster carers and kinship foster carers, the identification and quality control of placements in independent fostering agencies and residential provision, the assessment and support of those holding Special Guardianship Orders and the Family Time team, ensuring families are able to spend time together in a safe and secure environment.

The Placement Team will offer you the opportunity to build on your existing skills and knowledge by supporting us in two key areas:

You will focus on our important work supporting those applying for, and holding, Special Guardianship Orders in relation to children open to the team. You will supervise qualified and unqualified team members to ensure that reports and the reviewing of support plans are completed in a timely manner and to a high professional standard. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills in coordinating support services to ensure the building of resilience in S.G.O Placements.

The role will also allow you to develop your skills in supervising the Family Time Coordinator and overseeing the work of the Family Time Team, ensuing children and families enjoy family time in a safe and supportive environment. You will support team members to record accurately, information that is needed for ongoing court ordered assessments and ensure families are supported to develop their parenting skills. You will have the opportunity of helping the team develop its role in informing the planning process for children along with colleagues from other teams and disciplines.

As a senior practitioner in the Placement Team you will have the opportunity to support the many varied duties of the team, deputising for the manager and working closely with all team members to ensure the smooth running of the service.

We welcome applications from experienced senior practitioners and qualified social workers who feel ready to take the next steps in their careers. We look forward to receiving your application.

The principal responsibilities include providing guidance, support and leadership to qualified social workers and support workers who are involved in the recruitment, assessment, training and support of foster carers and connected persons. You gain skills in providing formal and informal supervision to members of the team under the guidance of the Placement Team Manager.

Alongside supporting staff members, you will be responsible for case managing a reduced caseload, often complex cases where you will be responsible for completing assessments of potential carers and providing targeted support to carers.

To be eligible for this role all applicants must have a degree (or equivalent) within Social Work and be registered with Social Care Wales. Substantial post qualifying childcare experience within a statutory children’s services team is also essential and experience of supervising staff and/or students is desirable.

If you would like to informally discuss these opportunities, please contact the Team Manager, Danielle Smith, on 01495 369620.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. A comprehensive pre-employment screening process will be undertaken which will include anEnhanced Disclosure with Child and Adult Barred List.

A full UK driving license and access to a vehicle for work purposes is a requirement of the role.

For information on the re-employment and re-engagement of former employees please refer to the Council’s Pay Policy.

About us

At Blaenau Gwent, we are passionate about the work we do and the impact we have.  We empower our staff to make meaningful changes and take action to enhance our services.

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Want to ask us a question?

For further information or if you would like to have an informal discussion, please contact Danielle Smith (Team manager) on – 01495 369620