Locum Safeguarding Advanced Practitioner

Advanced / Senior Practitioner (Children’s Services)

Brief Job Overview

 
We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Advanced / Senior Practitioner to join Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Children’s Safeguarding & Support Teams. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled social worker who is passionate about safeguarding children and supporting families to achieve positive, lasting change.  

As a senior member of the team, you will contribute to the professional development of colleagues, support good practice through supervision and mentoring, and ensure that assessments and interventions are completed to the highest standards. This is a great opportunity for someone with proven experience who wants to help shape social work practice while making a real difference to children’s lives.

Key Responsibilities

• Work within Children’s Safeguarding & Support Teams, undertaking complex casework and ensuring high-quality, timely assessments and interventions.
• Provide supervision, mentoring, and guidance to newly qualified and less experienced social workers, contributing to their professional development.
• Champion child-centred, restorative practice, ensuring that the voice of the child is central to all decision-making.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of practice standards and promote learning across the team.
• Manage a varied caseload involving children in need, child protection, and children in care, ensuring statutory timescales are met.
• Build effective relationships with children, young people, and families to promote safety, stability, and wellbeing.
• Work in partnership with other agencies to deliver coordinated, multi-agency support to families.
• Model best practice and support a culture of reflection, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure all casework, recording, and documentation meets the Council’s quality standards and complies with statutory legislation.

About You

 
You are an experienced and confident Social Worker with at least three years’ post-ASYE experience and a strong background in safeguarding, child protection, or children in care. You have a passion for developing others, sharing knowledge, and leading by example to improve outcomes for children and families.  

You are reflective, organised, and resilient, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Your practice is grounded in restorative principles, and you bring both empathy and analytical skill to every case.

Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• ASYE completed with at least three years’ post-ASYE experience.
• Proven experience in safeguarding, child protection, or children in care within Children’s Services.
• Experience of supervisory, mentoring, or practice development responsibilities.
• Strong understanding of Working Together to Safeguard Children and relevant childcare legislation.
• Excellent assessment, analysis, and report-writing skills.
• Ability to build effective, trusting relationships with children, families, and professionals.
• Commitment to continuous learning, reflection, and high-quality practice.

Contract & Salary

• Job Type: Locum / Fixed-term
• Location: Stoke-on-Trent City Council
• Service Area: Children’s Safeguarding & Support Teams
• Contract Length: 3 months (with potential for extension)
• Salary: Negotiable, dependent on experience
• Working Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week
• Working Pattern: Hybrid working with flexible hours available

What We Offer

• Flexible working hours and hybrid arrangements
• Manageable caseloads and strong administrative support
• Regular, high-quality reflective supervision
• Commitment to staff wellbeing and professional development
• Access to equality and diversity networks

How to Apply

 
If you are an experienced and motivated Advanced / Senior Practitioner ready to take the next step in your career and help shape the future of children’s social care in Stoke-on-Trent, we’d love to hear from you.  
Please apply using the form on the page.