Job Introduction
Are you passionate about the learning and development of social workers? We are recruiting a Senior Practitioner with an additional Practice Educator qualification to support the development and assessment of Newly Qualified and Apprentice Social Workers.
A Continuing Professional Development Social Worker plays a crucial role in the transition of Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) into experienced professionals. They are responsible for providing support and progressive assessment of NQSWs, ensuring that the standards of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) are met.
This includes facilitating reflective supervision, offering developmental feedback, and ultimately making a pass/fail recommendation at the end of the ASYE program. The assessor's guidance is vital in helping NQSWs develop their practice and navigate the complexities of their new roles in social work.
You will work alongside the Principal Social Worker and Workforce Development Office to ensure the ASYE programme is meeting the needs of Newly Qualified Social Workers and modelling practice standards across the service.
Interviews for this role will be held on 5 and 6 August 2024.
Main Responsibility
- Assess NQSWs against the Post Qualifying Standards (PQS) and the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) to ensure progression throughout the ASYE.
- Support NQSWs in managing their caseloads effectively while ensuring a focus on learning and development.
- Complete the Record of Support and Progressive Assessment (RSPA) and guide NQSWs in maintaining their ASYE Portfolio.
- Conduct regular direct observations of NQSWs in practice to assess competencies and provide constructive feedback.
- Facilitate reflective supervision sessions to encourage critical thinking and professional growth.
- Provide a final assessment decision regarding the NQSW's capability to practice at the end of the ASYE program.
The Ideal Candidate
- A qualified social worker with a valid Social Work England registration and Practice Education Qualification
- Extensive experience of working in a Local Authority setting, and in depth understanding of the challenges faced by emerging social work professionals.
- Proven experience in mentorship or training roles, with strong assessment and supervisory skills with ability to provide clear, actionable feedback.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
- Extensive experience in social work practice, with a thorough understanding of the challenges faced.
- Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
- For this role you are required to have a full UK driving licence and provide evidence of your vehicle Insurance with business cover and use of a vehicle. If you are successful, you will be required to supply evidence of your licence prior to starting the role.
- Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks an Enhanced DBS will be actioned for you (unless you are on the DBS Update Service).
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
