Senior Practitioner - Practice Educator

Senior Practitioner/Practice Educator Social Worker
- G10: £47,181 - £50,269

Here in Adult Social Care, we believe our workforce is our greatest asset and at the heart of all we do, working hard to provide the care and support needed by our residents. We aim to build a sustainable, skilled, and confident workforce that feels valued and supported in their career growth and wellbeing. Our new Workforce Strategy is designed to achieve this goal.

To deliver this Workforce Strategy we have established a brand‑new Workforce Development Team to support us in ensuring we have the right people in the right place at the right time who are recognised and valued for their contribution.

As an experienced Social Worker and qualified Practice Educator with a passion for the development of the social work workforce, supporting students, apprentices and newly qualified social workers on the ASYE programme, you could be just the person we are looking for.

• Registered Social Worker with Social Work England having at least 2 years of post‑qualifying experience, preferably in an Adult Social Care setting.
• Qualified Practice Educator with significant post‑qualifying experience supporting SW students and other learners.
• Ability to build effective relationships and collaborate in multidisciplinary, multi‑agency teams, contributing to key decision‑making and problem‑solving.
• Demonstrated commitment to developing social work as a career within adult social care.

• Leverage significant post‑qualifying experience as a Practice Educator.
• Engage in regional Practice Educator CPD development opportunities through the West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership and other forums.
• Lead monthly PE forums, share learning with other PEs, and ensure PEs maintain their currency and CPD requirements.
• Support training of PEs as a Practice Assessor and oversee the arrangement of student placements, including contrasting learning experiences for colleagues in Children’s services.
• Act as the ASYE coordinator responsible for delivering the ASYE scheme in Adult Social Care (ASC); communicate with senior managers and local partners, ensure support and training for NQSWs and supervisors or assessors, and engage with the ASYE regional moderation panel.
• Lead and oversee the social work degree apprentices, communicating with senior managers and local partners, and ensuring practice education, support and training for apprentices.
• Represent Adult Social Care within the West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership, attending regional meetings and the work stream.
• Lead the assurance of the application of the Post‑Qualifying Standards for Social Work Practice Supervisors in Adult Social Care.
• Support the Workforce Development Manager and Principal Social Worker in delivering comprehensive learning and workforce development activity across the Adult Social Care workforce.

• Access to additional training, including post‑qualifying awards.
• Hybrid working and flexible working/flexi‑time policies to support a healthy work/life balance.
• A robust supervision policy, Continuous Improvement Conversations, personal development plans, regular CPD and peer support.
• Payment of SW England registration fees by the Local Authority.

Job requirements include a requirement for clear spoken English; the position is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers, and completion of a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement. Walsall Council expects all staff to share a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults entrusted to our care.