Practice Development Lead

Job Title: Practice Development Lead
Starting Salary: £48,226 per annum + £5,234 market enhanced payment progressing to £53,460 per annum + £4,447 market enhanced payment* please note this is a non-contractual payment subject to a 3 yearly review (pro rata for part time)
Hours: 30.0
Location: Countywide
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 6-month contract
Directorate: Childrens Services

About the team

The Practice Academy is dedicated to fostering continuous professional growth across the social care workforce. Through bespoke training, targeted support, and development opportunities, the team equips practitioners—from students to experienced social workers—with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to deliver high-quality, child-centred services across Hertfordshire.

About the role

The Practice Development Lead plays a pivotal role in supporting Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) through their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE). This includes working closely with Team Managers and colleagues to ensure effective team-based support. In addition, the role extends to guiding and mentoring social work students engaged in the education pathways endorsed by HCC.

Responsibilities include;

• Attraction, recruitment, and induction of NQSWs.
• Provide support to Team Managers and colleagues who have NQSWs in the teams, including developing written policies and guidance, with the aim for them to be endorsed by HCC as completing their ASYE.
• Support and guidance to NQSWs on a one-to-one basis or in groups, providing coaching, expert knowledge, training, reflective supervision, skills and practice development.
• To develop and co-ordinate the ASYE training programme, either commissioning external trainers/partner agencies or delivering personally.
• Undertaking and supporting the assessment of the NQSWs against the Knowledge and Skills Statements (KSS) for child and family social work.
• Providing coaching and/or mentoring support for both NQSWs and experienced social care staff and managers.
• Support the practice learning experience of social work students and apprentices currently enrolled on all social work education routes supported by HCC.

To identify and celebrate areas of good practice in social care and provide strategies to address poor practice, working with teams and managers to determine best solutions.

About you

Essential:

• Be a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Be experienced in the assessment and monitoring of NQSWs (or other learners), evidencing research into practice, and providing reflective supervision.
• Have knowledge of how professional standards fit into the assessment process of NQSWs.
• Have excellent communication and coaching skills and is passionate about supporting learners and developing social work practice.
• Capable of high-quality written work including assessments and reports requiring a timely completion.
• Have experience of managing and supervising learners, with consideration of equality and diversity throughout their practice.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Regular Access to a vehicle.

Desirable:

• Hold (or be currently working towards) the Practice Educator qualification.

This role is vital in nurturing a skilled and confident social work workforce, fostering a culture of learning, reflection, and professional excellence. By investing in the growth of both new and future practitioners, the Practice Development Lead helps ensure the continued delivery of high-quality services to children and families across Hertfordshire.

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is within the Health and Social Care Services, level HSC12 job profile. Please locate this via:

Job profiles - Health and social care

To hear more about this opportunity please contact Francesca Benvenga (francesca.benvenga@hertfordshire.gov.uk)

Interview Date: 11th and 12 December 2025

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Secondment
This position is open to secondments. If you work for HCC or any other Local Authority and would like to be considered as a Secondment contract, please ensure you complete the Secondment Form as part of your application. If you do not, your application will be considered as a Fixed Term Contract only.

Additional information

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.