Advanced Practitioner

Advanced Practitioner - Mockingbird Team, Devon County Council (Exeter)

Up to £40 per hour

This is a fantastic chance to join our pioneering Mockingbird programme, an innovative fostering model that creates a supportive network for foster carers, improving stability and outcomes for children in care. As an integral member of this dedicated team, you will play a key role in driving excellence and providing expert guidance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide professional guidance, support, and supervision to social workers and other team members, promoting high standards of practice.
• Support the Team Manager in the day-to-day operational management of the Mockingbird team.
• Manage a smaller caseload of foster carers, providing intensive support and supervision to ensure positive outcomes for children in care.
• Undertake fostering standards of care concerns or allegation investigations in line with safeguarding procedures.
• Act as a foster panel advisor, contributing to the assessment and approval of prospective foster carers.
• Share your expertise and provide mentoring to new and less experienced team members.
• Lead and contribute to service improvement initiatives, championing evidence-based practice.
• Encourage and support opportunities for reflection and learning within the team.
• Deliver on-the-job training, coaching, and mentoring to unqualified/alternatively qualified staff, students, and social workers.
• Champion high standards of professional social work practice in line with the BASW Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF).
• Work holistically with foster carers, children in care, their families, and partner agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in accordance with Devon County Council policies and procedures.

Skills and Experience:

As an Advanced Social Worker within our Mockingbird team, you will demonstrate strong leadership qualities and a commitment to fostering excellence. You will have:

• Substantial post-qualifying experience in children's social work, ideally within a fostering setting.
• A strong understanding of fostering regulations, legislation, and best practice.
• The ability to demonstrate that you are working in line with the BASW Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF).
• Proven ability to work holistically with foster carers, children in care, and partner agencies.
• Evidence of significant post-qualifying training and professional development.
• The ability to lead improvement initiatives and constructively challenge social care practice to enhance quality.
• A passion for championing high standards of professional social work practice.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and assessment skills.
• Experience in providing supervision, mentoring, and coaching to colleagues.
• A commitment to reflective practice and continuous learning.

What We Offer:

• Competitive hourly rate of up to £40 per hour.
• The opportunity to be part of an innovative and highly regarded Mockingbird team.
• A supportive and experienced management team.
• Regular supervision and excellent opportunities for professional development and training.
• The chance to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of children and foster carers in Devon.
• A rewarding and challenging role where your expertise will be valued.
• A commitment to your well-being and a positive working environment.
• Based in the vibrant city of Exeter with excellent transport links and a high quality of life.