Practice Development Lead

Job Title: Practice Development Lead
Starting Salary: £48,226 per annum + £7,146 market enhanced payment progressing to £53,460 per annum + £6,984 market enhanced payment - please note this is a non-contractual payment subject to a 3 yearly review.
Hours: 37
Location: Stevenage
Contract Type: Fixed Term until 31st May 2027
Directorate: Childrens Services

Vacancies: x2

About the team

The Learning and Development team is dedicated to fostering continuous professional growth across the Children’s Services Workforce, Carers and key partner agencies such as Education and Health. Through the delivery of wide range of learning opportunities including training, targeted support, and development opportunities, the team equips practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to deliver high-quality, child-centred services across Hertfordshire.

Main Areas of Responsibility

• The role will support the design and delivery of learning and development programmes that contribute to the successful implementation of Workforce Delivery Plan informed by the Families First Partnership Programme
• The role will offer expert advice in Social Work Practice development to support the successful delivery of CS Strategies and Service Delivery plans which focus on Social Work practice improvements.
• The role will use existing L&D procedures and tools but will also use their own specialist knowledge and skills to design and deliver bespoke staff learning opportunities and support initiatives.
• The role will work in partnership and challenge, where required, internal and external partners to deliver agreed national, local and service outcomes
• Quality assuring training to ensure it meets standards by gathering participant feedback and implementing improvements based on this
• Building relationships with internal and external colleagues to proactively collaborate to build an efficient, expert and effective offer that supports wider service objectives.
• Liaising with partners in health, police and education to develop integrated training packages and staff interactions.

About the role

The two Practice Development Leads will play a pivotal role in the delivery of the Social Work Workforce Development Plan aligned with the Families First Partnership Programme (FFPP). They will lead on the development and delivery of learning opportunities for both our Social Work Qualified and Alternatively Qualified staff to equip them with the knowledge, skills, behaviours and confidence needed to thrive in their role and deliver high-quality support to families.

About you

Essential:

• Be an experienced qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England
• Have excellent communication and coaching skills and be passionate about supporting individuals and developing social work practice.
• Knowledge / experience of designing and delivering learning interventions which are underpinned by adult learning theories.
• Capable of high-quality written work including assessments and reports requiring a timely completion
• Hold (or willing to work towards) the Level 3 Award in Education and Training or equivalent
• Hold a full driving licence and have access to a vehicle for travel around the count.

Desirable:

• Knowledge / experience in co-ordinating the delivery of multi-agency projects including budgeting and resource allocation.
• Knowledge / experience of evaluating the effectiveness of learning interventions and providing and implementing data-driven recommendations to improve quality.

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 Heath and Social Care, level 12 job profile. Please locate this via:

Job profiles - Health and social care

To hear more about this opportunity please contact Gary Mallett (Gary.Mallett@hertfordshire.gov.uk)

Interview Date: 21st May

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.