Senior Practitioner in Education

1 year contract with a Local Authority

Birmingham Children’s Trust is seeking an experienced Senior Practitioner in Learning / Senior Practitioner Educator (SPiL) to join its established Practice Academy Team on a fixed-term basis to cover maternity leave.

The postholder will play a lead role in improving the quality of social work practice across the Trust by supporting, developing and accessing learners at pre- and post-qualification levels.

This includes social work students, apprentices, ASYE social workers, return-to-practice candidates and those undertaking Practice Educator and ACFP programmes.

The role will contribute to the Trust’s vision of delivering high-quality services to children, young people and families by strengthening professional practice, learning and development across the workforce.

• Provide a lead role in improving the quality of professional social work practice across services working with children and families.
• Deliver, coordinate and quality assure learning and development programmes across the Practice Academy, including ASYE, Practice Educator, ACFP and Return to Social Work programmes.
• Support, supervise and assess learners through training, reflective supervision and professional development activities.
• Design, coordinate and implement induction programmes and tailored learning pathways for learners.
• Identify learning needs across services and translate these into effective training, workshops, reflective sessions and CPD activity.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and quality assurance to practitioners, supervisors and managers.
• Work closely with the Practice Academy and Practice Hub to support delivery of the Trust’s Practice Improvement Plan.
• Provide expert advice and professional guidance to staff and leaders, including direct practice support where required.
• Maintain accurate learning records, track impact and outcomes using learning management systems and evaluation tools.
• Represent the Trust in meetings and partnership forums as required.

• Significant experience of supervising, supporting and developing social work practitioners.
• Full Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) award.
• Strong understanding of what constitutes good social work practice, with the ability to quality assure and improve practice.
• Experience delivering learning programmes for pre- and post-qualifying social workers.
• Sound knowledge of legislation, statutory guidance, national standards and best practice relating to children and families.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple programmes and priorities.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including use of learning and communication tools.
• Compassionate, patient and supportive approach, with a commitment to high support and high challenge.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, multi-agency partners and stakeholders.

• The closing date: 08/01/2026 @17:00.
• Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
• Location:
  
  Lifford House, Birmingham (Hybrid working).
• Hours:
  
  36.5 hours per week (08:45 – 17:15).
• DBS:
  Enhanced DBS required.