Senior Practitioner (Fostering)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience PO4: 

• Post-qualifying social work experience (2 years or more) in a children & families setting (preferably fostering)
• Experience of undertaking complex casework within a statutory children’s setting (preferably fostering)
• Experience of practicing in a culturally sensitive way 
• Experience of quality assuring the relevant assessments and support plans 
• Strong knowledge of the relevant legislation, regulation, and guidance (Fostering Minimum Standards, Safeguarding and Fostering legislation and Care Planning Regulations etc)
• Experience of sharing knowledge, skills, and behaviours with other social work professionals 
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in assessing complex risk
• Experience of having to interpret, understand and make judgements on the complex interactions between the risk and protective factors in any given situation when arriving at a decision about whether the child or young person is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm
• Good ICT skills 
• Data literate 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience PO5:

• Advanced knowledge of the relevant national and local policy, statutory framework/s for the safeguarding of children
• Ability to manage culture change within a team
• Strong ICT skills
• Substantial experience of undertaking complex casework within a statutory children’s setting (preferably fostering)
• Ability to manage, motivate, coach, and develop staff to achieve individual, team and service level objectives and priorities
• Proven track record of developing the professional practice of others to meet the diverse care and support needs of the community
• A proven record of successfully providing operational management of the direct provision of high quality multi-disciplinary services
• Substantial engagement in Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Good level of data literacy 

Indicative Qualifications 

• Educated to degree standard or equivalent 
• Relevant professional qualification and registration with Social Work England (SWE) 
• Continuing professional development

We know what social work is WORTH! Make the difference to the lives of children and families in Waltham Forest!

Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, our borough is a fantastic place where people want to live, work and play.

Why join us at Waltham Forest?

• 9 out of 10 staff in our social care teams enjoy our strong learning culture, which focuses on new and emerging trends

• We invest in your development to help you find your niche, specialising in areas underpinned by a clear strengths-based approach

• Inspiring leadership and ambition rated Outstanding 

• Diverse and inclusive teams who improve lives and make a real difference – a safe and inclusive environment, with active employee-led networks and initiatives

• A brand-new Town Hall HQ at Fellowship Square, with innovative and flexible workspace

What our staff say

As a borough which celebrates diversity and inclusivity, we believe that it is important for you to hear from a cross-section of staff working within Waltham Forest. Watch a selection of our staff case studies below.

We offer our staff:

• A rewarding role in an Ofsted rated GOOD children’s services department

• Stable leadership rated by Ofsted as OUTSTANDING

• New Social Work Academy

• Strong Continuing Professional Development (CPD) offer including Virtual Reality (VR) training

• Competitive salaries and retention bonuses

• A range of health & Wellbeing initiatives and vibrant staff-led networks such as our Race Equality Network

• Flexible working options

• Manageable caseloads

• Travel season ticket loan, cycle scheme, Local Authority pension    

Find out more

If you are interested in having an informal discussion about working in children's social care at Waltham Forest please contact:

• Rongful Begum, Head of Safeguarding at Rongful.Begum@walthamforest.gov.uk

• Kobus Grobbelaar, Head of Corporate Parenting Kobus.Grobbelaar@walthamforest.gov.uk

• Roberta Onyekwelu, Head of Placements & Resources Roberta.OnyeKwelu@walthamforest.gov.uk