Advanced Practitioner (Children Looked After Service)

About the Role

We are looking for a dedicated and proactive professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will be able to prioritize effectively, identifying urgent tasks and actions to ensure that all work is completed within tight timescales. You will be highly organized, able to manage your own workload with minimal supervision, and have strong initiative to act where needed.

You will support your Team Manager and confidently take the lead in their absence. You will facilitate group supervisions, provide clear guidance, and offer practical, well-informed advice on complex, high-risk cases

About You

We are looking for a compassionate, resilient, and experienced individual who has worked with children, young people, and their families in challenging circumstances. The ideal candidate will have:

• Lambeth adopts a Signs of Safety approach, and the successful candidate will be familiar with this practice model. They should feel confident supporting colleagues and facilitating group discussions using this framework.
• A deep understanding of the developmental stages of children and the impact of trauma, neglect and abuse. 
• Proficiency in child protection legislation and statutory guidance, including the Children Act 1989 and 2004. 
• The ability to build trust and rapport with children, young people and parents, encouraging openness and honest dialogue. 
• Resilience to deal with the demands of a fast-paced environment and quick turnaround of work.  
• Creative problem-solving skills to find innovative solutions for challenging situations, ensuring the best possible outcomes for children and families.
• Experience in providing guidance and supervision to less experienced colleagues, supporting their development. 
• A drive for improving practice and performance in the team and modelling best practice.   
• A commitment to ongoing professional development, staying up to date with the latest research, policies, and best practices in children’s service
• The candidate should also be familiar with utilising Microsoft Copilot to enhance productivity.
• Able to work from the office at least two days per week and fully available during the designated duty week, which occurs once a month.

Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community. Stretching from the dynamic neighbourhood of Streatham in the South to the iconic landmarks of Waterloo in the North, we are proud to be the 9th largest borough in London. Our diversity is our strength, with more than 130 languages spoken, making Lambeth the home of the Windrush generation, London's largest LGBTQ+ community, and a thriving Portuguese-speaking community.

With exceptional schools, lush green spaces including Brockwell Park, cultural gems like the Black Cultural Archives, and world-renowned institutions such as St Thomas's Hospital, Lambeth offers an enriching and dynamic environment. The Civic Centre is just a short walk from the main underground and train station.  

“Lambeth – a borough with social and climate justice at its heart. By harnessing the power and pride of our people and partnerships, we will proactively tackle inequalities so that children and young people can have the best start in life and so everyone can feel safe and thrive in a place of opportunity.”

Lambeth 2030 (Borough Plan)

In Lambeth, we offer our social workers:

• Fantastic, modern working environment in the award-winning Lambeth Town Hall and Civic Centre buildings
• Competitive Salary, often including a generous market supplement (depending on the role)
• Up to 35 days annual leave, dependent upon continuous service
• 5 Minutes from London Underground and excellent transport links into the centre of London
• Hybrid/Flexible working
• Cycle to Work Scheme (including City Bike Hire scheme)
• Attractive Local Government Pension Scheme
• A permanent senior leadership team in QA
• Manageable caseloads that enable connection with families