Advanced Practitioner - Social Work Academy

Posted 17th Jul, 2025
Location
Merton
Salary/rate
£52,584 – £564,646
Hours
Full-time
Working arrangements
Blended
Contract type
Permanent
Closing date
28th Jul, 2025
About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Social Work Academy Team as an Advanced Practitioner (AP). This is a full-time post and a fantastic opportunity for the right person to develop their skills in student social work education and supervision, as well as social work practice. 

 

About the Role

This is a unique position with specific duties and responsibilities. With direction and support from the Team Manager, the AP oversees Merton's Social Work Apprentices and their work whilst they study at Kingston University for their Social Work qualification. You will co-work the children allocated to you with the apprentices you supervise, ensuring high quality service delivery is maintained and positive outcomes delivered for the children and families of Merton. 

Leading a team of up to 4 social work apprentices, you will provide one-to-one case, reflective and personal supervision, group supervision/reflective spaces and create teaching and learning opportunities for the apprentices.

Support for our apprentices will include progress reports at intervals during the year and attending learning review meetings with the University to discuss progress, plan support and identify learning opportunities for the future. You may also be required to act as Practice Educator for a student whilst they complete a placement in another team or service area.

Along with holding a caseload of assessments, CIN and CP work, the AP is the lead social worker for Private Fostering (PF), holding responsibility for children in PF arrangements, and awareness raising activities across the borough.

The Team 

The role sits in the Social Work Academy Team and is part of the Family Support and Safeguarding Service. The team comprises of 3 APs who all direct, support, educate and guide small teams of student social workers with support from the Team Manager. This is a case holding team which supports Merton's future social workers to develop their practice in a work-based setting. There is a wealth of experience within the team to support the successful candidate to develop the skills required for this role.

About you

About You

  • You will have the skills needed to support and guide student social workers to develop their skills and evidence their capabilities within the PCFs. 
  • You will have the skills and experience needed to provide supervision; individual and group.
  • You will hold, be working towards, or be prepared to work towards gaining a qualification in Practice Education.
  • You must have an interest in or be willing to learn and become an expert in the field of Private Fostering.

If successful at application stage, panel interviews will take place on the 6th of August.  

If you have questions about this exciting opportunity, please contact Team Manager for the Social Work Academy, Lydia Billington on 0208 545 4247 or Lydia.Billington@merton.gov.uk.

About Merton

Merton is an outer borough in southwest London. Suburban in character, the borough has three main town centres: Wimbledon, Mitcham, and Morden. We want our to be a great place for every child to grow up in order to give them the best start in life. To do this, we need the best social work talent working with us. 

We offer a full range of employment benefits to ensure every member of staff feels valued and able to progress:

  • membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
  • wide range of professional development programmes available to enhance your career
  • flexible working
  • generous leave entitlement
  • parental leave and shared parental leave schemes
  • employee assistance programme (EAP) - free access for you and your family to expert advice and guidance on major life events, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year
  • range of lunchtime exercise classes
  • discounted membership to our leisure centres
  • wellbeing programme - wellbeing champions and mental health support
  • occupational health service to help keep you healthy and safe at work
  • contribution towards eye test and glasses for display screen equipment (DSE) users
  • regular walking ‘step count’ challenge
  • Kaarp employee discount scheme - range of leisure activities, from days out to magazine subscriptions, as well as hair and beauty treatments, entertainment events and discounts at local restaurants
  • interest-free season ticket loan for public transport
  • cycle to work scheme
  • adult cycle training
  • running club
  • discounts on selected adult learning courses

If you like the sound of working in Merton, or want to know more about a specific role, please do not hesitate to contact recruitment@merton.gov.uk