Advanced Practitioner
At the National Fostering Group, our Advanced Practitioners are vital in bridging the gap between frontline social work and team management. As a step up from the Supervising Social Worker role, the Advanced Practitioner position involves holding a reduced caseload while providing leadership, guidance and support to a small number of social workers. This role is essential in ensuring that fostering services are delivered to the highest standards, with a focus on professional development and quality practice.
What are the key responsibilities of an Advanced Practitioner?
- Leadership and Mentorship: You will support a small team of social workers, providing guidance and mentoring to enhance their practice. Your leadership will help develop skills, encourage reflective practice, and promote professional growth.
- Complex Case Management: As well as providing team management you will take on a reduced caseload, focusing on more complex cases that require advanced assessment skills, decision-making, and multi-agency collaboration. Your expertise will be essential in achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.
- Quality Assurance: You will oversee the quality of social work practice within your team, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and best practices. This includes conducting file audits, supervision observations, and providing constructive feedback.
- Professional Development: You will identify training needs within your team and facilitate continuous learning opportunities. Supporting the professional growth of social workers will be a key part of your role.
- Multi-Agency Collaboration: You will play a crucial role in liaising with other professionals, including Local Authority representatives, health professionals, and education providers, to ensure comprehensive and holistic support for children and families.
- Practice Improvement: You will contribute to developing and implementing new initiatives and improvements within the service, championing innovative approaches to foster care and social work practice.
Why choose to be an Advanced Practitioner at National Fostering Group?
- Career Progression: This role provides a clear pathway for those looking to move into team management or senior leadership within the fostering sector. You benefit from working within a national organisation where progression opportunities across the region and country will be available to you apply for, as you go on your career journey with us.
- Enhanced Support: You will receive tailored support to develop your leadership capabilities, with access to training and mentorship.
- Impactful Leadership: Your role will directly influence practice quality, colleague development and positive outcomes for children and families.
- Work-Life Balance: With a manageable caseload and leadership responsibilities, you will be supported to maintain a healthy work-life balance while progressing your career.
- Innovative Environment: Be part of a forward-thinking team committed to fostering innovation and excellence in care.
- Recognition and Reward: We value the dedication of our Advanced Practitioners, offering competitive salaries, enhanced benefits and opportunities for career development within the National Fostering Group.