Childrens Services Advanced Practitioner
| Posting date: | 03 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £42,839.00 to £47,181.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £42839.00 - £47181.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 18 June 2026 |
| Location: | Lincoln, LN1 1XX |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | F0067-2600057902994 |
Summary
Work independently to hold and effectively manage the team's most complex caseload. This will include the most high-risk, high need, looked after children, a range of high-profile court work and specialist assessments and interventions as required. To Undertake high quality direct work with children, young people and families, involving all key family members and prioritising children and young people's safety. Work using Signs of Safety methodology, which works collaboratively with families to empower them to find solutions whilst ensuring working within the policies, procedures of Children's Services and regulatory standards. Lead on family network meetings and case mappings. Carry out in depth and ongoing family assessment of social need and manage risk to children, with particular focus on parental capacity and capacity to change. Co-work specialist assessments with less experienced members of the team to ensure that they improve and develop. Recognise harm and risk indictors of different forms of harm to children relating to sexual, physical and emotional abuse and neglect. Consider the possibility of Child Sexual Exploitation, grooming (on and offline), female genital mutilation, enforced marriage and the range of adult behaviours which pose a risk to children, recognising too the potential for children to be perpetrators of abuse. Use reflective supervision, research and other guidance to recognising one's own professional limitations and how and when to seek advice from a range of sources, including Practice Supervisors, senior practice leaders and other clinical practitioners from a range of disciplines. The post holder will work in conjunction with senior staff and managers through available support systems (supervision, appraisal, mentoring, co-working and work shadowing). Navigate the family and youth justice systems in England using legal powers and duties to support families, to protect children and to look after children in the public care system, including the regulated frameworks that support the full range of permanence options. Participate in decisions about whether to make an application to the family court, the order to be applied for and the preparation and presentation of evidence. Seek advice and professional second opinion as required in relation to the legal issues, interventions and plans which frequently impact children, young people and families involved with statutory services. Use the law and regulatory and statutory guidance to inform practice decisions. Take into account the complex relationship between professional ethics, the application of the law and the impact of social policy on both. Make realistic child centred plans within a review timeline which will manage and reduce identified risks and meets the needs of the child. Any plans devised for the child need to be evidence informed, demonstrate clear analysis and professional judgement and evaluative decision-making skills. This also includes working with multi-agency partners. Continuously develop knowledge of child development and how this impacts on all aspects of a child's life. This includes physical, cognitive, social, emotional and behavioural development and the impact of different parenting styles. Have a good and continually developing understanding of adult behaviours; for example, adult mental health, domestic abuse, mental health, physical health, disability and substance misuse and the impact on, and inter-relationship between, parenting and child development. Good understanding of working in a complex organisation such as a Local Authority, Trust or other delivery model for Children's Services. Act in ways that protect the reputation of Lincolnshire County Council and the wider Social Work profession whilst always privileging the best interests of children. Contribute to the organisation's role as corporate parent to children in public care. Arrange or provide transport/escort for Service Users e.g. to health appointments, education; provide practical support including access to living aids, to families and to young people, including those formally looked after by the Authority seeking to live independently in the community. Maintain and update case notes and other records pertaining to the child/children you have responsibility for. Write reports as required and if needed give evidence in court on factual matters. Contribute to planning/reviewing the cases of children in care; supervise fostering/adoption arrangements. To devise and deliver practice workshops regularly in team meetings and to other Children's Services staff as required. This could also include group supervision and mapping complex cases with less experienced staff. Support, coach and mentor other members of the team and be a champion in Signs of Safety. The post holder is expected to be a Practice Educator to social work students on practice placements in the team, support with onboarding and induction and offer mentoring, work-shadowing/work experience opportunities. The post holder could be expected to take on Team Champion roles; for example, Signs of Safety Champion, Munro Champion etc.