Senior Practitioner

Overview

Salary: SO1 £ 34,434 - £36,363 (ro rata) plus weekend enhancements and sleep in allowance where appropriate.

Contract: Permanent

Leeds City Council is seeking a dedicated and experienced Senior Practitioner to join our team. In this role you’ll lead a team of committed practitioners, providing exceptional care to children and young people in our homes. Your leadership will be instrumental in guiding each child on their journey towards adulthood and independence. Your support can be life changing for the young people in your care.

It is rewarding work, as well as energetic and at times challenging.

There are a range of opportunities available across the city including full-time, part-time and night working.

We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence. This is your chance to join us and support our Child Friendly Leeds ambition.

We are proud to align our work with the council’s values and ambitions, placing children and families at the heart of everything we do. If you’re ready to bring your empathy, energy, and dedication to this vital role, we’d love to hear from you.

As a Senior Practitioner you will bring to the role:

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care (or equivalent)
• QFC Leadership Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services Level 5, or commitment to achieving the qualification within a specified time (funded by us)
• understanding of child and adolescent development
• knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and guidance
• experience supporting children or young people with additional emotional/behavioural issues – this may be from employment, volunteering, student placements or personal life
• experience supervising staff and managing their development and training

As our next Senior Practitioner, you’ll be part of a supportive team which has your wellbeing and professional development at heart.

You will bring patience, resilience and emotional intelligence to connect with and inspire the vulnerable children and young people in your care. You will lead your team with confidence and liaise effectively with other professionals and all stakeholders.

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary plus enhancements for nights and weekends
• generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holiday allowance
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities, including support to study for relevant qualifications
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you’ll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria.

Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job purpose

The Senior Practitioner’s…