Lead Practitioner

Overview

Neway International are seeking a Lead Practitioner (Grade J) – Social Care Qualified to join our client based with Barnet Council.

Location: 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London, NW9 4EW

Hours: 36 per week

Rate:

PAYE: £24.24 per hour

Limited/Umbrella: £33.22 per hour

Work Pattern: Hybrid working, Monday to Friday

Monday–Thursday: 9:00am–5:15pm

Friday: 9:00am–5:00pm

About the Client

Barnet Council’s Communities, Adults & Health directorate delivers high‑quality, person‑centred support to adults across the borough. Their front‑door service is fast‑paced, high‑volume, and central to ensuring residents receive timely advice, support, and safeguarding interventions. The team is seeking an experienced Lead Practitioner to provide leadership, oversight, and professional guidance during a period of maternity/paternity cover.

The Lead Practitioner will oversee the busy front‑door service, screening incoming referrals, directing workflow, and ensuring high‑quality practice across the team. You will provide supervision to junior staff, quality‑assure assessments and decisions, and work closely under the direction of Team Managers to maintain safe, effective service delivery.

This role requires a confident, experienced Social Worker with strong leadership skills, excellent judgement, and the ability to manage high‑pressure, high‑volume environments.

• Screen and triage incoming referrals via email and telephone.
• Provide clear direction and guidance to staff within the front‑door service.
• Quality‑assure work completed by junior team members.
• Deliver professional supervision and support to staff.
• Work closely with Team Managers to ensure safe and effective decision‑making.
• Maintain high standards of practice in line with legislation, policy, and organisational expectations.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture.

• Qualified Social Worker with registration to Social Work England.
• Significant experience in frontline adult social care.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
• Excellent communication and decision‑making abilities.
• Ability to work confidently in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management, and front‑door processes.