Children's Senior Practitioner - Children Looked After Team

About the Role

Shropshire Council is recruiting Children''s Senior Practitioners to join their Children Looked After Service.

This is an excellent opportunity for experienced practitioners to take on a senior role supporting children in care, ensuring they receive the right interventions, stability, and long-term outcomes. You will play a key role in care planning, safeguarding, and progressing permanency plans, working closely with children, families, and partner agencies.

Location: The Guildhall, Shrewsbury (Hybrid Working)
Contract: Initial 3 months (with review)
Rate: Up to -38 per hour (Umbrella)
Hours: 37 hours per week (09:00 - 17:30)
Requirement: Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload within the Children Looked After Service, maintaining high standards of practice
• Undertake assessments informed by direct interventions with children and families
• Progress care and pathway plans, ensuring children access appropriate services at the right time
• Complete statutory visits to children in foster care, residential settings, or placed at home
• Lead and coordinate key meetings, including:
• Care planning meetings
• Risk management meetings
• Placement stability meetings
• Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings
• Statutory reviews
• Provide guidance, advice, and support to children, families, and carers
• Undertake some court work, including:
• Revocation of care orders
• Special Guardianship Order (SGO) applications
• Placement order applications
• Participate in the team''s duty system
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic case records and documentation
• Work collaboratively with parents, carers, and multi-agency professionals

About You

• Be a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England
• Have significant experience within Children Looked After / safeguarding services
• Demonstrate strong skills in care planning, assessment, and case management
• Have experience with court work and legal processes
• Be confident working in a multi-agency environment
• Possess strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle

Why Join Shropshire Council?

• Opportunity to work in a well-established Children Looked After Service
• Flexible hybrid working model
• Supportive team environment with strong management oversight
• Competitive hourly rate
• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children in care

If you''re an experienced Children''s Senior Practitioner role and make a real impact, apply today.