North Tyneside Children’s Social Care is considered to be Outstanding by Ofsted in recognition of the services and outcomes for children, young people and families.
We want the best for our families, and know that to achieve this we need the best for our staff. We want to recruit people who are passionate about children and young people getting the right help at the right time, about listening to their voice, and about working in partnership with families and who can support their teams to have this passion as well.
We are currently recruiting an Advanced Practitioner to join our Safe and Supported Service to develop our specialist Prebirth offer for some of our most vulnerable parents to be.
Working intensively with a small caseload of families these workers will provide support from the point of referral right through the prebirth and post natal period using a clear practice model and range of interventions aligned with Signs of Safety.
This is a new approach for North Tyneside and successful candidates will have exciting opportunities to help develop the service. We offer small supportive team structure, where our workers benefit from a high level of practice guidance and oversight.
As an Advanced Practitioner in a specialist prebirth role you will be based within your respective team and you will be supported in this role by your Team Manager. We offer bespoke development support for this role, recognising this role is a key to our success in North Tyneside. Senior managers are visible and accessible, so you know you are never alone in the work that you do with children, young people and families. We support our staff to deliver high quality practice.
To become an Advanced Practitioner in this role you will be a qualified social worker with a minimum 3 years experience, in statutory social work in the following areas: child in need, child protection, and children in the care of the local authority. You will have experience of working in partnership – with children, their family and wider networks, and professional colleagues across education, health, police and the voluntary sector.
You will have strong intervention skills and the demonstrated ability to effect positive change for children and families. You will role model resilience and help to promote a high practice standards and expectations, matched with a supportive culture. It is important that you have excellent written skills, and are proficient in using IT.
We will provide you with devices and equipment that promotes flexibility in how you work, and training in LCS, our electronic child record system. Advanced Practitioners are expected to offer support to others in the service particularly NQSWs and early career social workers and link with the Quality of Practice Service regarding learning and development.
They may be asked to deputise for the team manager on occasion. We are committed to supporting the development opportunities of our teams and have an extensive in-house training offer as well as access to regional HEI post qualification courses and national learning opportunities.
The practice model used in North Tyneside is Signs of Safety, and you will be supported in developing and using this approach. You will receive regular high quality reflective supervision that focuses on case management as well as your own professional development. We listen to our colleagues and promote various opportunities for leaders to hear your voice.
These include bi-monthly workforce meetings with the Assistant Director, regular Children’s Services healthcheck and consultation opportunities on the things that matter to you and your work.
Our staff tell us they are happy working with us. 96% of staff in our recent staff health check told us they affirm they make a significant contribution to achieving positive outcomes for children and families. Over three quarters of our staff told us they would recommend working for North Tyneside Children’s Services to their friends.
So isn’t it time you had a look!
In addition to the above unique benefits you will also receive the following local authority benefits:
• An attractive annual leave entitlement which increases with length of service
• Annual pay increments up to the top of your salary grade
• An enhanced sick pay scheme
• Flexible working
• Automatic membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme • Childcare vouchers
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to occupational health services
• Access to our Learning Pool for extensive training and development opportunities.
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and an Enhanced DBS disclosure, including Barred List Check, will be required.
Applications based upon flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be given full consideration.
For an informal discussion around these specialist prebirth Advanced Practitioner opportunities in please contact: Gayle Dickinson, Service Manager at gayle.dickinson@northtyneside.gov.uk or on 0191 643 8434
For information about North Tyneside Council, the benefits of working for us, and the many attractions of working and living in North Tyneside please see the council’s “About Us” pages on www.northeastjobs.org.uk.
North Tyneside Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and adults at risk of harm. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment and to familiarise themselves with all relevant policies, procedures and guidance. Within North Tyneside, safeguarding is everybody’s business.