Practice Development Social Worker

Job Title: Practice Development Social Worker
Directorate: Children & Young People

Service Area: Social Care Academy
Grade: PO6 plus £5k recruitment and retention payment

Location: Newham | Hybrid Working

Contract type: Permanent

Closing Date: Monday 14^th July 2025 at 11:59pm

This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check and Social Work England registration.

To find out more and prepare your application please see JD here

Shape the Future of Social Work Practice in Newham

We are looking for experienced and committed Practice Development Social Workers to join our social care academy as part of an exciting and progressive transformation journey. This is a unique opportunity to directly influence social work development, support newly qualified social workers (NQSWs), and strengthen our approach to workforce retention and practice excellence.

About the Role

As a Practice Development Social Worker, you will:

• Coach and support NQSWs and Social Workers, helping shape them into confident and reflective practitioners informed by the Newham circles of support practice model.
• Lead on the delivery of a local coaching model, using your own high-quality practice to influence and embed systemic, relational and restorative practice across the workforce.
• Drive innovation in learning and development, playing a key role in our wider training offer, retention strategy, and service improvement agenda.
• Role model excellent practice in your direct work with children and families—demonstrating relationship-based practice, timely risk assessment, and evidence-informed intervention.

You will work closely with the Social Care Academy Service Manager and senior leaders across the service to support culture change and service improvement, contributing to our bold ambition of developing and retaining outstanding practitioners who can make a difference for our children.

About You

We are seeking a skilled and confident practitioner who:

• Has substantial experience in statutory children’s social care, particularly in child protection, children in need, and early intervention.
• Demonstrates a sound understanding of systemic approaches and their application in social work practice.
• Is passionate about coaching, reflective supervision, and developing others through relationship-based learning.
• Possesses excellent communication skills and the ability to influence and inspire across teams and services.
• Is reflective, resilient, and committed to personal and professional growth.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to make a real impact, apply now via our recruitment portal. For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Samantha.Jones@newham.gov.uk

Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.