Advanced Practitioner – Practice Development Team

Specialism / Department: Children’s Social Care – Practice Development
Location: Barnsley, UK
Salary / Pay Rate: £37 per hour
Contract Type: Locum / Ongoing
Working Pattern: Part‑Time / Full‑Time

Role Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Advanced Practitioner to join the Practice Development Team within Barnsley Council. This ongoing locum role offers a competitive hourly rate of £37 and flexible working options, making it ideal for professionals seeking both impact and balance.

In this pivotal position, you will lead practice development initiatives, support social work teams, and promote a culture of learning, innovation, and quality across the service. You will play a key role in strengthening practice standards, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring evidence‑based approaches are embedded throughout Children’s Services.

Perks and Benefits

• Flexible Hours: Choose part‑time or full‑time working to suit your lifestyle.
• Competitive Hourly Rate: £37 per hour, recognising your specialist leadership expertise.
• Professional Development: Access ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Wellbeing Support: Benefit from wellbeing programmes and employee assistance services.
• Collaborative Culture: Work in a forward‑thinking environment that values shared learning and innovation.

Key Responsibilities / What You Will Do

• Lead and implement practice development initiatives across Children’s Services.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and reflective support to social workers and practitioners.
• Offer consultative support on complex cases to ensure best practice and compliance.
• Develop and deliver training programmes to enhance practice quality.
• Undertake case audits and quality assurance activities to drive service improvement.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to support families holistically.
• Remain up‑to‑date with current research and embed evidence‑based practice across the service.
• Promote strong safeguarding practices and ensure team readiness for managing safeguarding issues.

Requirements / Candidate Criteria

Essential

• Recognised Social Work qualification.
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Significant post‑qualified experience within Children’s Social Care.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, statutory frameworks, and best practice.
• Proven experience supporting, mentoring, or developing social work practitioners.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and leadership skills.

Desirable

• Experience within practice development, quality assurance, or workforce development teams.
• Leadership or management training/qualification.
• Experience working within local authority children’s services.

Why Barnsley

Barnsley is a vibrant South Yorkshire town offering a unique blend of rich history, beautiful countryside, and modern amenities. With an active cultural scene, warm community spirit, and excellent transport links to Sheffield and Leeds, Barnsley provides an ideal environment for both professional fulfilment and personal wellbeing. Enjoy a strong sense of community while contributing to high‑quality social work practice that transforms lives.

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