Advanced Social Work Practitioner; Court Consultant

Overview

Advanced Social Work Practitioner – Court Consultant to join our Learning Academy in Wakefield. This specialist role focuses on developing and strengthening court-related practice across children’s services through expert guidance, mentoring, coaching and training. You will work alongside Advanced Social Work Practitioners and Training & Development Leads based in the Learning Academy, providing support and working with Social Work Practitioners, Team Managers and newly qualified staff across Safeguarding and Children in Care teams across the Wakefield district.

The role aims to enhance confidence, quality and consistency in court work, ensuring practice is legally sound, child-focused and evidence-based. It combines direct court expertise with a strong practice development and learning focus.

Why Wakefield? We are moving towards outstanding practice and offer strong leadership, access to high-quality training and development opportunities, career progression, good staff morale and competitive benefits. Our office base has good transport links and parking.

• Provide expert advice and consultation to social workers and managers on complex court cases (public and private law).
• Support practitioners to apply legislation, statutory guidance and case law while maintaining confidentiality in practice.
• Quality assure court-related work, including assessments, statements, chronologies and care plans.
• Support best practice in pre-proceedings (PLO) and court processes.
• Mentor and coach Social Workers, including NQSWs, ASYE’s and experienced practitioners.
• Support reflective practice and professional curiosity in high-risk and complex cases.
• Contribute to capability-building and skills development across teams.
• Design and deliver training sessions and workshops on court skills.
• Contribute to the Learning Academy’s training offer and resources.
• Contribute to audits, learning reviews and development of practice guidance.
• Identify learning themes from court outcomes and feedback to Senior Managers.
• Promote informed, anti-oppressive and strengths-based practice.

• A qualified and experienced social worker, with a proven track record in achieving the highest standards of practice.
• A practitioner with substantial post-qualifying experience in Children & Families Social Work.
• Significantly experienced in court work and pre-proceedings.
• An excellent communicator with proven report writing skills, as this position may entail presenting data and information to the Senior Leadership Team.
• Extensive experience of mentoring, coaching and supporting practitioner development.
• Interested in and confident delivering training and workshops.
• A team player, committed to contributing to quality service provision and supporting colleagues across CYPS in promoting collaboration, strong practice and positive change.
• Experience of undertaking project work to support quality and performance improvement including service evaluation.

Salary Grade Range: G12 - £51,356 - £54,495

If you think this is you, apply to join our team. Choose Wakefield. For an informal discussion please contact Janette Snape at  Interview dates: 13th & 17th Feb.