Job Description

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) 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.