About the Role
Cambridgeshire County Council is looking for an experienced and passionate Senior Practitioner to join the Adolescent Service within the South Cambridgeshire Team, supporting young people across Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire and East Cambridgeshire.
The Adolescent Service focuses on safeguarding vulnerable young people who face risks outside the home. Working closely with colleagues in the Missing and Exploitation Team and Youth Justice Service, the team supports young people who may be at risk of criminal or sexual exploitation, serious violence, substance misuse, mental health concerns, homelessness, or who regularly go missing from home.
Location: Noble House, Ely (with flexibility to be based in Huntingdon)
Salary: £46,956 - £50,157
Contract: 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract (with the possibility of extension)
As a Senior Practitioner, you will manage a small caseload of approximately 6-8 young people aged 12 and over, where the primary safeguarding concerns relate to extra-familial harm and risks outside the home.
Key Responsibilities
- Undertaking Child and Family Assessments
- Managing Child in Need, Child Protection and Children in Care cases
- Completing direct work with young people and their families
- Visiting children in their homes and local communities
- Attending multi-agency meetings and contributing to safeguarding plans
- Maintaining high-quality case recording and assessments
- Supporting the Team Manager in developing practice across the team
- Mentoring and coaching less experienced colleagues
- Deputising for the Team Manager when required
- Playing a key role in the implementation of the Families First reforms, including the pilot phase in East Cambridgeshire
About You
We are seeking an experienced, confident and dynamic Social Worker who enjoys working with adolescents and making a meaningful difference to the lives of young people and their families.
- Hold a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England
- Have substantial experience within a statutory children's social work setting
- Demonstrate strong knowledge of Child in Need, Child Protection and Children in Care practice
- Be confident managing complex safeguarding concerns and risk
- Build effective relationships with young people, families and partner agencies
- Provide professional leadership and support within the team
- Be creative, curious and committed to achieving positive outcomes for vulnerable adolescents
Why Join Cambridgeshire County Council?
This is an excellent opportunity to join a specialist service at the forefront of innovative adolescent safeguarding practice. You will work within a supportive team environment while helping to shape new approaches to supporting young people facing significant challenges and risks.
If you are an experienced children's social worker looking for your next challenge and want to be part of a service committed to achieving positive outcomes for adolescents, we would love to hear from you.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. A DBS check may be applicable for this role, applicants are required to declare any cautions and convictions that are not protected under current filtering rules.
