Senior Practitioner

Manage complex and high-risk cases for Darlington Borough Council, including Child Protection, Looked After Children, and court proceedings, ensuring statutory responsibilities are met.

Provide mentoring, guidance, and informal supervision to less experienced social workers and students, promoting reflective practice and professional development.

Lead on comprehensive assessments and outcome-focused care planning, ensuring the voice of the child is central to all decision-making.

Prepare and quality-assure reports for child protection conferences, looked after reviews, and legal proceedings, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and compliance with local procedures.

Collaborate with families and multi-agency professionals to implement effective safeguarding and intervention strategies tailored to each child’s needs.

Contribute to service improvement activities, including audits, team learning, and development initiatives across Darlington Borough Council’s Children’s Services.