Senior Practitioner

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Kent exclusively recruits on behalf of Kent County Council (KCC), supporting them in hiring both Locum and Permanent Social Workers across the county. With an Ofsted rating of 'Outstanding', KCC offers an exceptional environment for social work professionals looking to make a real impact.

We are currently seeking a qualified Senior Practitioner to join the Kent and Medway out of hours service based at the Port of Dover. If you are enthusiastic, dedicated, and ready for a new challenge, this is an excellent opportunity to develop your career in one of the UK's most desirable regions.

Purpose of the Job:

Full time - 37 hours per week (Evenings/Overnights/Weekends)

The Kent and Medway Out of Hours Service has a dedicated team responsible for supporting the arrival of unaccompanied asylum‑seeking children at the Port of Dover.

Our service leads social work practice outside traditional office hours for some of the most vulnerable children arriving in Kent. As part of our ambition to develop a national centre of excellence in social work practice, we are seeking skilled and committed Senior Practitioner Social Workers to join us on this important and evolving journey.

This position offers a unique opportunity for experienced Senior Practitioners to join the Out of Hours KIU Team. The team is responsible for responding to children upon their arrival at Dover, undertaking assessments, and ensuring they are placed in suitable local authority accommodation.

The role requires a resilient and adaptable workforce capable of managing both these responsibilities and urgent safeguarding matters that arise during Out of Hours periods when there are no new arrivals at the port.

The KIU team provides coverage from 9pm each weekday and continuous cover across weekends from Friday at 9pm to Monday at 6am.

The post holder will work on a rota basis for 4 shifts per week, covering late evenings, overnight shifts, and weekends. Please note we work most weekends.

We are committed to ensuring our Senior Practitioners have the resources and support they need to make a meaningful difference. In this role, you will have the opportunity to deepen your social work knowledge, enhance your skills, and strengthen your professional judgement. We are equally invested in supporting your progression; the complexity and breadth of work within the Out of Hours Service enables practitioners to apply theory, develop specialist expertise, and respond to diverse and challenging scenarios to achieve the best outcomes for children.

Working within the Out of Hours Service will also enable you to develop your management and leadership capabilities, including opportunities to act as duty senior. You will further develop key skills in assessment, direct work with children immediately following their arrival at the port, managing child protection concerns, chairing Strategy Meetings, working collaboratively with multi‑agency partners, and engaging with elements of adult social care, which also forms part of our service remit.

You will join a diverse, supportive, and committed team dedicated to delivering a high quality initial assessment service focused on safeguarding and protection. You will demonstrate resilience, flexibility, and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of children and circumstances. Above all, you will be motivated by a strong commitment to supporting unaccompanied asylum‑seeking children at a crucial point in their journey to safety and resettlement in the UK.

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Kent is a trading style of Commercial Services Kent LTD - A company wholly owned by Kent County Council. Connect2

Kent is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates