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Practice Lead - Childrens Social Care
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Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Practice Lead
Directorate: Children and Family Services
Section: Children's Social Care
Grade: Level 13 (indicative)
Hours: 37 hours per week
This advert is open to both internal and external applicants.
About Us
We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on-Trent City Council is more than just a job; it is about making, protecting and improving services for local people, reducing inequalities and improving independence for those who live and work in the city. That is where you come in. We are looking for people of the highest calibre, with the skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council's diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset. The skills, knowledge and experience of our employees are essential to delivering our ambitions for the organisation and the city. We want to be an employer people are proud to work for, where staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them excel and deliver the high-quality services our residents need.
Join Our Children and Families Service
We are growing and developing our Children and Families workforce as part of an ambitious programme of service transformation. We are looking for talented, committed and values-led professionals to join us.
The Role
The Practice Lead is a key role within our Families First Partnership model, built on the belief that every child has the right to family life. You will provide expert practice leadership, supervision, coaching and challenge, helping practitioners deliver consistently strong, relational and legally compliant work with children and families.
About You
- A recognised social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
- Considerable post-qualifying experience across children's safeguarding, children in need, court work and care planning.
- Extensive knowledge of childcare legislation, statutory guidance, child development, risk and protective factors.
- Experience of reflective supervision, mentoring and developing both social work and alternatively qualified practitioners.
- The confidence to chair complex meetings, challenge practice and make sound evidence-based decisions in high-risk situations.
- A strong commitment to relational, strengths-based and anti-discriminatory practice.
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Key Responsibilities
- Provide supervision, coaching and practice support to Lead Practitioners and wider team members.
- Offer expert advice and support for section 47 enquiries, risk assessment, safety planning and Public Law Outline activity.
- Chair core groups and other relevant meetings, ensuring clear decisions and reviewable actions.
- Support allocation and resource decisions, including the effective use of section 17 funding.
- Quality assure practice through observations, collaborative audits and performance oversight.
- Deputise for the Principal Manager and lead defined areas of practice, policy development and service improvement.
Why Join Us?
- Shape excellent frontline practice at the heart of the Families First Partnership model.
- Develop practitioners through high-quality supervision, coaching and professional challenge.
- Influence service improvement and help children remain safely within their families and networks.
What We Offer
- A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent.
- Hybrid and flexible working options, where these are compatible with the needs of the role and service.
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training and apprenticeship and management programmes.
Further Information
Further information on our Rewards and Benefits can be found online.
Want to Know More?
If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact:
Jane Stuart, FFP Manager - Children & Families
Pre-employment Checks
Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre-employment checks. These may include:
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- Right to Work in the UK.
- Proof of address.
- Satisfactory references.
- Occupational Health clearance.
- Evidence of relevant professional qualifications or registrations.
- A DBS check at the appropriate level.
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and we expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Additional Information
If an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy, their application will receive priority. If this happens, you will be advised accordingly.
Your Career Matters Here
At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we are committed to helping our people thrive. From competitive pay and a supportive working environment to opportunities for development and career progression, we invest in our workforce because we know it is our greatest asset. We are building an inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve, where everyone is welcomed, valued and encouraged to make a difference.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they do not meet every listed requirement. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves and can succeed together.
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