Senior Practitioner

Salary details: £ - £

Are you an experienced Social Worker looking to take the next step in your career? This is a fantastic opportunity to join a friendly, community-based team as a Senior Practitioner in North East Derbyshire (North).

This advert covers ONE Full-Time, Fixed Term Senior Practitioner position across North East Derbyshire (North), based at the Arc, Clowne where we are able to support agile (hybrid) flexible working across the community of North East Derbyshire.

You would be joining a friendly, community-based team of Social Care Practitioners, Social Workers alongside existing Senior Practitioner. Reporting to the Service Manager, you will be able to evidence an ability to supervise and support social care staff, including travel to support community, joint and/or occasionally out of area visits. You will take a collaborative lead on professional practice as part of day-to-day operations, including welcoming New Starters and ASYEs. The ability to identify training and development needs through Peer Group Supervision is vital and will include monitoring and developing professional ‘best practice’ standards to promote a learning culture for ongoing improvement and development.

As a Senior Practitioner you will lead by example and ensure that Social Workers and Social Care Practitioners deliver high quality statutory social care services across transition to adulthood and generic, long-term adult care assessments to promote Home First approaches. You will be actively involved in complex case management, including court work, chairing meetings, risk assessments and offering support and advice to highlight professional curiosity across the team. 

You will assist line managers to gather data for the production of management reports, case audits and regular review meetings and case discussions. Part of the role includes deputising for the Service Manager when required, where there is support available whilst building confidence under these circumstances, including attending care act assurance meetings, reviewing assessments and support plans to ensure timely, cost effective, strength-based assessments.

Our teams work in integrated, multi professional contexts, where you will need to be able to demonstrate strong leadership abilities to work alongside others, including times where there may be professional challenge to foster a positive work environment. This includes the development of resources and networks with relevant community partners to improve service delivery, resources and shared knowledge across a wide range of social care.

Part of the role includes the oversight and triage of new referrals, including safeguarding’s and complex casework, including overseeing Duty. Please Note: NED currently has a separate Duty team, where at times there may be the need to support, cover and/or oversee Duty alongside line managers.

The successful candidate will be able to work autonomously, with accountability and accurate record keeping to progress overall case management. Candidates should have an interest in championing roles alongside excellent knowledge of Safeguarding, The Care Act 2014, and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, including for NED (North) skills in court work, COP-DOLs, 21a challenges, alongside awareness of Learning Disabilities and Autism, Extra Care and Supported Living, s117 and other panels. 

Ideally, you will also hold Practice Educator qualifications or express an interest in completing the relevant training to undertake mentoring and supervision task, i.e. PE1 and PE2. It is important to promote your own and team CPD and Wellbeing as part of regular supervision and developing skills for work-life balance which is key to the role. 

Derbyshire County Council is a fantastic place to work with friendly, supportive teams, access to training and a wealth of other benefits such as our flexi working scheme. You will have a minimum of monthly 1:1 supervision and plenty of opportunities for informal support with both your team, peers and line managers. We promote an environment that encourages reflection, individual and organisational learning, where we value sharing knowledge, championing roles and helping each other thrive in our everyday practice as part of a holistic, learning culture. 

Employees have access to a range of support, benefits and discounts including: 

• Generous Annual Leave Scheme: 27 days annual leave per year (rising to 32 days after 5 years continuous service) plus 8 bank holidays (pro rata). Grade dependant.
• Local Government Pension Scheme: Providing financial security
• Supportive management and team
• Training and Development: Opportunities for professional qualifications and ongoing training.
• Wellbeing Support Framework: Includes OH physician services, physiotherapy, CBT, and in-house counselling.
• Employee Wellbeing Support: Fast track physiotherapy, confidential psychological support services, Employee Assistance Programme, and “Wisdom” app.
• Paid travel expenses if required to travel to other sites (Terms and conditions apply)
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Promoting a healthy lifestyle.
• Our Derbyshire Rewards: a package of benefits, cashback and discounts.

More details on the benefits of working for the council can be found on our reward and recognition page here

If you require any further information, please contact eva.white@derbyshire.gov.uk (NED North Service Manager)

Provisional Interview Date: Week Commencing 19/01/2026 

Please Note: - Only candidates registered with Social Work England will be shortlisted. Please read the comprehensive job description attached to this advertisement.

Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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Important: Derbyshire County Council holds a sponsorship licence, but this role does not offer visa sponsorship. Please apply only if you already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship, as applications that do not meet this requirement will be rejected.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.