Job Introduction
Bradford Children and Families Trust are looking for Experienced, Innovative and Dedicated Practice Supervisors to drive our services forward and to ensure that our promise to improve the lives of Children and Young People in Bradford becomes a reality.
You will have a passion and drive to ensure children are at the heart of all we do. You will lead within a relational and restorative culture of continuous learning and reflective practice that inspires staff to give their best in their roles.
If you’re up for the Challenge and want to help us achieve our vision, then we’d love to hear from you!
We are recruiting for Practice Supervisors in the following Services/Localities:
- Bradford East - currently based at Sir Henry Mitchell House
- Bradford South – currently based at Sir Henry Mitchell House
- Children with Complex Health & Disabilities Team (CCHDT) – based at Shipley Town Hall
The East Locality covers the eastern suburbs of the district and includes the areas of Thackley, Eccleshill, Bolton and Undercliffe, Bradford Moor, Bowland and Barkerend, and Little Horton.
Working for the East locality offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as it’s geography. Bradford East has a diverse population, and our social work teams reflect and celebrate the diversity of the area. There are great transport links which allows for easy access around the locality.
As a locality we pride ourselves on being restorative, collaborative, and supportive. You will be supported via manageable caseloads and receive support from experienced leaders at all levels.
We have eight social work teams within the locality each made up of social workers, practice supervisors and community resource workers. Our practice supervisors play a key role in supporting best practice and developing a learning culture in the locality by offering coaching, mentoring, co-working, reflective supervision, and lunch time learning sessions.
The South Locality covers the southern suburbs of the district and includes areas such as Tong, Queensbury, Great Horton, Wyke, Wibsey, Royds and Holmewood. Bradford South has a diverse population, and our social work teams reflect and celebrate the diversity of the area.
We have eight social work teams within the locality each made up of social workers, practice supervisors and community resource workers; one of our teams is dedicated to supporting and developing newly qualified social workers. Our practice supervisors play a key role in supporting best practice in the locality by offering guidance, mentorship, and group learning through their Teaching Tuesday sessions.
There are great transport links which allows for easy access around the locality.
Our families face a number of challenges in South Bradford, including socio-economic pressures but in the South, we are committed to high practitioner support, manageable workloads and working both collaboratively and restoratively with our families, our partners and with each other.
Children with Complex Health or Disabilities Team offers an opportunity to be part of a dynamic team who support families from the first point of contact through to adulthood. The team covers the entire Bradford District with the office base in Shipley.
The team believes in giving children and young people choice, control and flexibility in how they manage their support needs, and the right to access inclusive services and be part of their own community. Social workers will be expected to work in a child centred and restorative way to seek the views, wishes and feelings of the children and young people we work with.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a lively and dynamic team which acts as the first point of contact for disabled children who require a social work assessment in the Bradford District, as well supporting children with lifelong disabilities on a long-term basis. The team also undertake safeguarding enquiries and court work and support a number of our children in care. We work closely with partner agencies to ensure the best possible support for children with disabilities and their families.
About Us
Bradford Children and Families Trust was established in April 2023 to bring a step change in the quality and delivery of Children’s Services across our district.
Our purpose is clear - to ensure that our promise to improve the lives of children and young people in Bradford becomes a reality. It’s a tough ask. It requires dedication, determination, and resilience – but under a new Chief Executive, Senior Leadership team and an unswerving drive to deliver the best outcomes, we are confident that we will achieve our ambition.
Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as it’s geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.
About the Role
The Practice Supervisor role is pivotal to our success. As the practice expert you will collaborate closely with the Principal Social Worker to influence and support the delivery of excellent practice through the development and progression of our students, newly qualified social workers, and the wider workforce by demonstrating good practice, sharing knowledge and experience, offering guidance, support, mentoring and consultation. To enable focus on the development of the team you will not have your own allocated workload, but you will have the responsibility for overseeing others work and making recommendations for the next steps.
This is a great opportunity for those who are aspiring managers and although there will be no direct line management of others you will share oversight with the Team Manager of some workers offering them reflective supervision.
It's a busy role! The challenges are diverse and complex, but the rewards are tangible. We will be there for your journey with us – enabling you to become the best you can be through continuous learning and development and a focus and investment in your health and wellbeing. If you are an experienced, qualified social worker looking to progress, this is the opportunity for you!
Key Responsibilities
- Supporting students through practice education and newly qualified social workers undertaking the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).
- Supporting the Team Manager to manage the performance of the team through audit activity, reflective group supervision and quality assurance activity.
- As an expert in good practice, act as a consultant for others, advising on the most complex situations and taking the lead where necessary on complex assessments.
- Support less experienced social workers involved in legal proceedings.
- Undertake audit activity and disseminate learning identified.
- Undertake practice development projects with those who use our services, colleagues, and stakeholders.
About You
A qualified Social Worker with at least three years post qualifying experience with strong interpersonal skills, experienced and expert in the delivery of quality outcomes for children and young people. You are passionate about the development of others and have a strong record of involvement in legal proceedings. You embrace change and strive for excellent practice placing children and young people at the heart of decision making; you have experience of tackling the most complex needs with enthusiasm, drive, and determination.
Benefits:
- Excellent pension with 15.2% employer contribution
- Competitive salary and pay progression structure
- Real living wage as the minimum rate of pay
- Supportive carer and parental policies
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services
- Supportive staff networks
- Access to Blue Light Card discounts
- Professional development/support
- Career progression
- Enhanced annual leave entitlement - 31 days and rises to max of 34 days with service. (plus, public holidays)
- Social Worker Registration fees paid
- Flexible working / hybrid options subject to service need
Want to know more?
If you would like to know more about the role, the recruitment process or working for Bradford Children and Families Trust feel free to contact Kasem Khan kasem.khan@bradfordcft.org.uk
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
