Senior Practitioner – Family Support Team (Social Care Qualified)
| Posting date: | 13 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £26.63 to £35.56 per hour |
| Additional salary information: | Rate: PAYE £26.63 per hour / Ltd/Umbrella £35.56 per hour |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 12 February 2026 |
| Location: | Grays, Essex |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Neway International Ltd |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | OR19315 |
Summary
Neway International are seeking a Senior Practitioner to join our client, Thurrock Council, within the Family Support Team.
Location: Civic Offices, Grays
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Temporary – 12 weeks (likely to be extended)
Start Date: 16 February 2026
Rate: PAYE £26.63 per hour / Ltd/Umbrella £35.56 per hour
About the Client
Thurrock Council’s Family Support Team works with children and families requiring long‑term safeguarding intervention. The service supports children subject to Child Protection Plans, Children in Need Plans, and Children in Care, ensuring safety, stability, and positive long‑term outcomes.
The Role
The Senior Practitioner will work within a long‑term Child Protection Team, managing a complex caseload and leading on safeguarding interventions. You will oversee cases in care proceedings, complete high‑quality assessments, and contribute to court processes. The role requires strong analytical skills, confident decision‑making, and the ability to ensure the child’s voice is central to all planning.
This is a frontline safeguarding role suited to an experienced practitioner with advanced assessment and court‑work experience.
Key Responsibilities
Managing a complex caseload including Child Protection, Child in Need, and Children in Care cases.
Initiating PLO and Care Proceedings, preparing witness statements and care plans.
Completing parenting capacity, sibling, viability, and Special Guardianship assessments.
Providing evidence‑based analysis of significant harm to support court decisions.
Undertaking Section 47 Child Protection enquiries.
Preparing and presenting Child Protection Conference reports.
Chairing Core Group Meetings and Child in Need meetings.
Completing Child and Family Assessments and implementing CIN Plans.
Undertaking pre‑birth assessments under Section 47.
Conducting home and school visits to safeguard and monitor children.
Liaising with partner agencies to coordinate support.
Completing Section 7 and Section 37 court reports.
Preparing Child in Care reports for CIC Reviews.
Holding Stability Meetings for placements at risk of breakdown.
Completing direct work with children and families.
Candidate Requirements
Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
Significant experience in safeguarding, long‑term child protection, and court work.
Strong assessment, analysis, and report‑writing skills.
Ability to manage complex caseloads and work independently.
Confident multi‑agency working and communication skills.
Ability to work in a hybrid pattern (3 days remote, 2 days office‑based).
Location: Civic Offices, Grays
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Temporary – 12 weeks (likely to be extended)
Start Date: 16 February 2026
Rate: PAYE £26.63 per hour / Ltd/Umbrella £35.56 per hour
About the Client
Thurrock Council’s Family Support Team works with children and families requiring long‑term safeguarding intervention. The service supports children subject to Child Protection Plans, Children in Need Plans, and Children in Care, ensuring safety, stability, and positive long‑term outcomes.
The Role
The Senior Practitioner will work within a long‑term Child Protection Team, managing a complex caseload and leading on safeguarding interventions. You will oversee cases in care proceedings, complete high‑quality assessments, and contribute to court processes. The role requires strong analytical skills, confident decision‑making, and the ability to ensure the child’s voice is central to all planning.
This is a frontline safeguarding role suited to an experienced practitioner with advanced assessment and court‑work experience.
Key Responsibilities
Managing a complex caseload including Child Protection, Child in Need, and Children in Care cases.
Initiating PLO and Care Proceedings, preparing witness statements and care plans.
Completing parenting capacity, sibling, viability, and Special Guardianship assessments.
Providing evidence‑based analysis of significant harm to support court decisions.
Undertaking Section 47 Child Protection enquiries.
Preparing and presenting Child Protection Conference reports.
Chairing Core Group Meetings and Child in Need meetings.
Completing Child and Family Assessments and implementing CIN Plans.
Undertaking pre‑birth assessments under Section 47.
Conducting home and school visits to safeguard and monitor children.
Liaising with partner agencies to coordinate support.
Completing Section 7 and Section 37 court reports.
Preparing Child in Care reports for CIC Reviews.
Holding Stability Meetings for placements at risk of breakdown.
Completing direct work with children and families.
Candidate Requirements
Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
Significant experience in safeguarding, long‑term child protection, and court work.
Strong assessment, analysis, and report‑writing skills.
Ability to manage complex caseloads and work independently.
Confident multi‑agency working and communication skills.
Ability to work in a hybrid pattern (3 days remote, 2 days office‑based).