Each Team is made up of; a Team Manager, Consultant Social Worker(s), Senior Practitioners, Social Workers, Children’s Practitioners and Family Practitioners.
We are looking for experienced Senior Practitioners to join one of the following teams:
- Family Safeguarding East (Permanent or Secondment / FTC to Dec 2026), based in Stevenage
- Family Safeguarding West, based in Hemel Hempstead
- Specialist Adolescent Service (SASH), based in Stevenage
- Separated Migrant Children, based in Stevenage
As a Senior Practitioner, you will already have highly developed specialist knowledge of Social Work practice. Your advanced expertise and knowledge will help you to take the lead on complex cases within the department.
This is a varied and challenging role where you will have shared responsibility for leading less experience staff. You will have a key role in researching and sharing up to date social work practice alongside creating a clear vision for the future and ensuring the best outcomes for children and their families are realised.
About you
We are pleased to offer sponsorship of eligible roles that met the UKV&I requirements for candidates who currently reside in the UK at the time of application.
It is essential that all Senior Practitioners who apply have the following:
- Qualified and Social Work England Registered
- At least 3 years post qualifying experience
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Knowledge of legislation, guidance, policy, and procedures
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft IT package
- Full UK Driving Licence
- Regular Access to a vehicle
In addition to the above, below outlines team specific essential criteria:
Family Safeguarding:
- Significant senior level frontline experience in a safeguarding team.
- Recent experience of case work in Assessments, Child Protection, Children Looked After and Care Proceedings
- In-depth knowledge of relevant childcare legislation is necessary to undertake work in this role effectively.
- For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Cheryl.Grazette@hertfordshire.co.uk or Tara.White@hertfordshire.gov.uk
SASH:
- In depth knowledge of child development and adolescence, social, emotional and mental health needs.
- Demonstrable awareness of risk factors associated with offending, exploitation, poverty and disadvantage.
- Experience of managing high risk and complex young people.
- For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Charlotte.Opie-Greer@hertfordshire.gov.uk or Tina.Darko@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Joint Police Children Protection & Investigation Team (JCPIT):
- Please note this role is subject to additional police checks on appointment.
- Our team is based at Police Headquarters in Hatfield.
- It is expected that you will be on duty rota which may require you to work beyond 5.30pm. On duty days you are required to be in the office.
- You will be completing safety plan with the oversight of JCPIT Team manager and police.
- You will be attending CP and SARC medicals with the health team and pre-assessments with the JCPIT police colleagues.
- Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity, working effectively with families from different backgrounds.
- Ability to handle urgent and often difficult situations while maintaining a calm and impartial demeanour.
- For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Joy.Austin@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Separated Migrant Children:
- Ability to complete robust assessments & to assess risk.
- Knowledge/experience of working with Separated Migrant Children and of relevant legislation, guidance, policy and procedure specific to Separated Migrant Children.
- Knowledge/experience of working with children and young people subject to or at risk of exploitation including modern day slavery and trafficking.
- Experience of supervising or mentoring less experiences staff (e.g. students or ASYE)
This job role is within the Health and Social Care, level 11 job profile. Please locate this via:
Job profiles – Health and social care
To read more about our service and opportunities available visit our Childrens Social Work page
Recruitment timeline: We review all applications regularly, with interviews arranged on an ad hoc basis – please check your emails for updates.
Additional Benefits for Social Work roles include:
- Monthly Market Enhanced Payment
- One off £1k Welcome Payment* (terms & conditions apply)
- Lease Car Scheme
- Up to £6k relocation expenses (terms & conditions apply)
- Hybrid working model
- 5 Days additional annual leave entitlement
- SWE Registration Fee paid
How to apply
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.
Secondment
This position is open to secondments. If you work for HCC or any other Local Authority and would like to be considered as a Secondment contract, please ensure you complete the Secondment Form as part of your application. If you do not, your application will be considered as a Fixed Term Contract only.
Additional information
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.
English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.
