Senior Practitioner - Preparing for Adulthood

Senior Practitioner – Preparing for Adulthood (PfA)
Location: Hackney, London
Hours: 36 per week
Rate: £36 per hour (Umbrella) / £26.72 per hour (PAYE)
Contract: Full time, 3 months contact with the potential to be extended

We are working on behalf of Hackney Council and are seeking an experienced Senior Practitioner to join their Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) team. This is an exciting opportunity to work with young people transitioning from children’s services into adulthood, providing high-quality statutory support and leading complex cases.

Key Responsibilities

• Complex Caseload Management: Manage a varied, complex caseload, including cases involving significant risk and the need for statutory intervention.
• Case Planning & Reviews: Conduct comprehensive needs assessments (e.g., Care Act assessments, EHC plan contributions), develop tailored support plans, and review outcomes.
• Leadership & Mentoring: Provide guidance, mentoring, and model best practice for less experienced social workers, Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs), and students.
• Supervision & Quality Assurance: Provide supervision and support, conduct file audits, and assist team managers with performance management and case allocation.
• Interagency Collaboration: Work collaboratively with health, education, housing, and other providers to ensure seamless transitions for young people into adulthood.
• Legal & Court Work: Produce high-quality reports for court, attend strategy discussions, and ensure compliance with relevant legislation (Care Act 2014, Children Act 1989/2004).
• Statutory Compliance: Ensure assessments and support planning meet statutory requirements and high-quality practice standards.

Requirements

• Qualification: Recognised Social Work Qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW) with active Social Work England (SWE) registration.
• Experience: Extensive experience as a Senior Practitioner or in a similar leadership role, specifically supporting children/young people with disabilities or adult learning disability services (PfA).
• Legal Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act, and Children’s Services legislation.
• Skills: Strong analytical, risk assessment, and decision-making skills.
• Leadership: Demonstrated experience acting as a Practice Educator or mentoring staff.
• Working Conditions: Ability to travel for home visits and work in a hybrid model (office and remote).

Why apply: 

• Play a key role in supporting young people transitioning into adulthood.
• Lead complex and meaningful cases while mentoring colleagues.
• Competitive hourly rate: £36 Umbrella / £26.72 PAYE.

If you are an experienced social worker with a passion for improving outcomes for young people leaving care, we would love to hear from you. Please send me your most recent CV to Nicola.mansfield@servicecare.org.uk or call me directly on 01772 208964

If you know someone who would be perfect for this opportunity, pass along the details above and ask them to contact me. 

We offer a bonus of £350 for every successful candidate that is referred over to us!!!