Senior Practitioner - LAC and Permanency Team

Senior Practitioner – LAC and Permanency Team

Location: Richmond and Kingston (Achieving for Children)
Salary: £44,000 - £50,000 per annum (DOE)
Contract: Permanent, 3 days in the office
Benefits: Parking permit included, retention discussed at interview, £500 referral bonus

Are you an experienced and motivated Social Worker looking for your next career step? Join the LAC and Permanency Team within Achieving for Children (AfC) and make a real difference in the lives of children and young people in care.

About Achieving for Children (AfC)

AfC is a social enterprise delivering children’s services for the Royal Borough of Kingston, London Borough of Richmond, and Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. The LAC and Permanency Team at AfC is dedicated to ensuring that children in care achieve stability, safety, and the best possible outcomes. The team works collaboratively with children, carers, and partner agencies to secure permanence and provide tailored support that prioritizes the voice of the child.

About the Role

As a Senior Practitioner, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality social work services to Looked After Children and young people, driving permanency planning, and supporting the professional growth of your team.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a complex caseload of Looked After Children, ensuring statutory duties are met and children’s needs are prioritized.
• Develop, implement, and review care plans and permanency plans that reflect the individual aspirations of children and young people.
• Prepare and present high-quality reports and assessments for court proceedings and decision-making panels.
• Lead permanency planning for children, including adoption, long-term fostering, or special guardianship, ensuring timely and stable placements.
• Build trusting relationships with children, young people, and their families, ensuring their voices are central to planning and decision-making.
• Provide professional advice, reflective supervision, and mentoring to social workers within the team to enhance their practice.
• Work collaboratively with foster carers, schools, health professionals, and other agencies to achieve positive outcomes for children.
• Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings, including LAC reviews and permanency planning meetings, ensuring all actions are completed effectively.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records in line with AfC’s policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Social Worker in the UK, preferably within Looked After Children and Permanency teams.
• Strong knowledge of care planning, permanency processes, and court proceedings.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and decision-making skills.
• Registration with Social Work England (SWE).
• Commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children in care.

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £44,000 to £50,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Hybrid working model – 3 days in the office for collaboration and team support.
• Parking permit included.
• Retention bonus to be discussed at the interview.
• £500 referral bonus – Know someone looking? If we successfully place them, you’ll receive £500!
• Opportunity to work within a highly regarded children’s service committed to innovation and excellence.

Ready to take the next step?
Apply now to join a forward-thinking and supportive team where your expertise will make a real difference.

For more information or to apply, please contact Josh Da Costa on 01635 226350 or email your CV to jdacosta@sheldon-phillips.com.

Join AfC’s LAC and Permanency Team and help shape brighter futures for children and young people in Richmond and Kingston!