Senior Practitioner – Family Solutions Plus (FSP)
3 month interim council to start ASAP
Location: South West
£40-£42 per hour
Inside IR35 (via umbrella)
Hybrid working – 2 days per week on site

CVs are being reviewed immediately, with interviews arranged on a rolling basis.

As a Senior Practitioner, you will work closely with the Team Manager / Assistant Team Manager to deliver high‑quality social work to children, young people, and their families. You will hold a complex caseload and support the wider team through expertise, modelling best practice, and contributing to a positive, reflective learning culture.

Working within the Family Solutions Plus model, you will ensure that children’s voices shape all assessments and plans. You will maintain consistently high professional standards in line with national legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice frameworks.

Flexibility is essential this role involves working in a fast‑paced environment where priorities can change quickly, and some work outside normal office hours may occasionally be required.

Your Role as a Senior Practitioner:

  • Deliver an effective, strengths‑based social work service to children, young people, and families, ensuring timely, high‑quality assessments and interventions.
  • Work with families using the FSP Workbook modules to support sustainable change and improved outcomes.
  • Hold a complex caseload, offering professional expertise and modelling high‑quality practice to colleagues.
  • Prepare and present clear, analytical reports, including child protection conference reports, legal documents, and court statements.
  • Attend conferences, reviews, and court hearings, presenting assessments and plans with professionalism and confidence.
  • Support the Team Manager / Assistant Team Manager by escalating key case information and contributing to team oversight where needed.
  • Participate actively in group and individual supervision, contributing to reflective practice and supporting the professional development of others.
  • Maintain accurate and compliant case records using ICT systems, ensuring all work meets statutory and performance requirements.
  • Act as duty worker on a rota basis, screening and responding to new referrals.
  • Undertake Child & Family Assessments and carry out Section 47 enquiries as required.
  • Support children who become looked after, ensuring all care planning aligns with statutory requirements.
  • Champion equal opportunities, anti‑discriminatory and anti‑oppressive practice across all work.
  • Build strong partnerships with agencies, professionals, and services to ensure effective multi‑agency working.
  • Ensure children’s voices, lived experiences, and wishes are clearly reflected in all assessments, plans, and decision‑making.
  • Promote participation of young people and families in meetings and, where appropriate, in service development.
  • Adhere to all health and safety responsibilities, taking reasonable care of yourself and others.

Your Experience and Qualifications:

  • Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
  • Significant experience in statutory children’s social care, able to manage complex and high‑risk caseloads confidently.
  • Strong understanding of the Children Act 1989/2004, Working Together, and all relevant national guidance.
  • Proven skills in assessment, analysis, risk management, and professional decision‑making.
  • Ability to support and mentor colleagues, modelling reflective, strengths‑based practice.
  • Skilled in building effective relationships with families and multi‑agency partners.
  • Strong organisational and ICT skills, with the ability to work flexibly and manage competing priorities.

If you’re interested in discussing this opportunity in more detail or know someone who may be suitable please contact Sarah Macrae on 0117 313 7110 or apply today.

(We offer a senior referral scheme upon successful placement of your recommendation.)

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive workforce. Recruitment decisions are based on skills and experience, and reasonable adjustments will be fully supported throughout the process.

Apply now

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Managing this role

Sarah Macrae

Senior Consultant - Children’s Services