Children’s Services is recruiting two Senior Practitioner positions to children and families teams (one full time post, one 28 hours).
Despite being a busy team, time is taken to get to know each other and to listen and value contributions
The roles have been created following a redesign of the council’s services for children to ensure that resources and activities are directed to achieving the best outcomes for East Lothian’s children and families.
The Support and Intervention Social Work teams work with children and families to provide assessments and interventions for periods over six months. This could involve measures to help children stay within their own homes or, if that’s not possible, working to put in place suitable arrangements for their care elsewhere.
We have three support and intervention social work teams each with three social workers and two senior practitioners supported by a team leader. This means that there are close and supportive working relationships alongside opportunities for collaboration with colleagues in other teams, many of whom have worked with the council for decades, across the wider Children’s Services and with partner agencies including the council’s education service. Opportunities for personal and professional development are available to all staff to help them enhance their practice and keep up to date on learning and developments.
'Really valued'
Senior Practitioner Laura has been with the council since qualifying as a social worker five years ago. She said: “I have found that your work and opinions are really valued and that, importantly given the nature of the work, it is a really supportive, understanding and encouraging work environment.”
Her colleague Jude joined the council six months ago and agrees: “Working with the Support and Intervention Team has been a great experience. There are lots of opportunities to learn, develop your skills, and feel challenged. Despite being a busy team, time is taken to get to know each other and to listen and value contributions. I’ve found there is always someone to turn to for guidance, support or a friendly ear,” she said.
Professional knowledge
The service has recently been through a redesign process creating new opportunities for social workers at all levels. It uses Signs of Safety, a strength and safety-organised approach to casework. Signs of Safety is used for all assessments to integrate professional knowledge with knowledge from families and wider support networks. The Promise underpins everything that Children’s Services do and work is ongoing to create wider awareness across the council and its partners of The Promise and Corporate Parenting responsibilities.
Laura added: “With the change of structures we are still adjusting in the new ways of working and learning as we go too but I feel motivated and rewarded to be part of this and feel that East Lothian is, and will continue to be, a great social work team to be a part of in my career.”
'Achieve the right balance'
Children’s Services Group Service Manager Lindsey Byrne said: “Children’s Services in East Lothian are truly committed to improving outcomes for children and are excited to be implementing a new structure which was designed around the principles of The Promise. We never underestimate the importance of supporting our workforce and strive to achieve the right balance of case work, development opportunities and support.
“Please feel free to get in touch with the recruitment manager for an informal chat and to find out what it is like to work in East Lothian.“
For an informal and confidential discussion about the posts please contact: Nicola Clark