Senior Practitioner - MASH (Part time, 3 days per week)

Job title:           Part Time - Senior Practitioner; MASH

Department:      Children’s Services

Location:          Croydon Council (CR0)

Grade / Salary: Grade 15; £49,890 - £51,903 pro rata

Hours of work:  21.6 hours per week, Wednesday – Friday (days are non-negotiable)

Contract type:   12m Fixed Term Contract /Secondment Opportunity 

MASH have an exciting part time Senior Practitioner fixed term contract available.

The Senior Practitioner is a new role within the MASH structure, developed as part of the MASH Transformation.

The Senior Practitioner will be undertaking a range of different roles and responsibilities in supporting the work of the MASH in delivering good and timely outcomes for children referred in.

These will include; 

• MASH lead for missing and exploitation (this will include support MASH social workers responding to referrals where missing and exploitation is present; contributing to training and improved pathways and responses; supporting data analysis and intelligence in these areas)
• Supporting the on-going practice development across the MASH
• Supporting social workers or EH Triage staff with case consultations and advice
• Supporting the overall work of the MASH where needed, which may also include being given an allocation of MASH referrals
• Working closely with Contact & Referral Officer’s
• Deputising for the Team Manager’s e.g. RAG Triage or decision making
• Supporting the MASH links with partner agencies

This is a relatively new position and provides an exciting opportunity to be involved in the continued review and development of the Senior Practitioner role in MASH, so that it effectively supports and promoted the delivery of a safe and effective front door.

This will be a job share and you will work alongside the permanent Senior Practitioner in MASH. You will be line managed by a MASH Team Manager.

Benefits of Working With Us

• Highly competitive salary
• A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20%
• 31 days annual leave pro rata
• Accredited Systemic Practice training
• A range of CPD opportunities
• Investment into your staff well-being
• Good management support for practitioners, regular supervision, group supervision led by systemic therapists and access to a clinical therapist to support your work directly.
• Hybrid working policy enabling work from home and flexible working approaches to support your work-life balance where the role allows plus a high-quality office base from where direct work is delivered from.

Why Join Us

In Croydon, our Children's Services has an established Systemic Practice model, experienced leaders, and high support for practitioners. Croydon people and staff are diverse, and we celebrate difference through focus on anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice. We are committed to delivering excellent social work practice and services to our children and families.

As well as this we also offer the following: 

• Our teams consist of experienced Social Workers at various levels
• Join a highly diverse workforce
• Reflective supervision is actively promoted and supported.
• The ethos at Croydon is very much about working together to make positive change
• Caseloads of Social Workers are very manageable enabling managers to know children well & ensure high standards of practice
• You will join an established team who can help you settle in and offer their expertise

About You

We are looking for experienced Senior Practitioners, who also have:

• Qualified Social Worker and up to date registered with Social Work England
• Foundation level systemic practice qualification - desirable
• Practice Educator or Practice Teacher qualification – desirable
• Knowledge of national policy, strategy and developments regarding children’s social care, and areas that impact on children’s social care.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, standards and procedures.
• Knowledge of relevant theoretical frameworks, practice models and research findings.
• Knowledge of models of reflective supervision that impact on practice and outcomes.
• Able to maintain records that evidence our engagement with children and families, informs the quality assurance framework e.g., quantitative, qualitative and outcome information for the children and families, the views and experiences of children and families

Click here to view the role profile

Recruitment and Selection Timeline

The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 8^th October 2023

Shortlisting will take place on 11^th October 2023

Interviews will take place on 20^th October 2023

Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Statement

Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.

Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check