• The Children’s Senior Practitioner will work within Shropshire Council’s Children Looked After (CLA) and Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) Services, supporting children and young people through high-quality social work practice.

• The postholder will lead on assessments, statutory responsibilities, care planning and multi-agency coordination to ensure children receive the right support at the right time.

• Carry out high-quality assessments informed by direct work with children, young people and families.

• Progress care plans and pathway plans to ensure children are accessing appropriate services.

• Undertake statutory visits to children in foster care, residential placements and those placed at home.

• Lead and manage casework, ensuring compliance with CLA requirements.

• Coordinate and chair a range of meetings, including care planning, risk management, placement stability, PEPs and reviews.

• Provide information, advice and guidance to children, families and carers to support problem resolution.

• Undertake court-related work where necessary (e.g., revocation of care orders, SGO and placement order applications).

• Participate in the team duty system.

• Maintain accurate and timely electronic records in line with policies, procedures and statutory requirements.

• Work collaboratively with parents, guardians, carers, and multi-agency professionals to ensure effective support.

• Contribute to service quality, performance improvement and best practice standards.

• Demonstrable experience working within CLA, UASC or similar statutory children’s services.

• Strong understanding of safeguarding, care planning, statutory interventions and relevant legislation.

• Experienced in undertaking complex assessments and managing high-risk cases.

• Skilled in court work, including preparing statements and progressing legal orders where required.

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with children, families and professionals.

• Effective in coordinating multi-agency meetings and leading case discussions.

• Strong report writing, record-keeping and IT skills (computerised social care systems).

• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and maintain performance standards.

• Emotional resilience, reflective practice and commitment to high-quality outcomes for children.

• Ability to work within duty systems and respond dynamically to service needs.

• Qualified Social Worker with registration to Social Work England (SWE).

• Client: Shropshire Council.

• Location: The Shirehall (local authority premises).

• Hours: 37 hours per week, 09:00–17:30.

• Enhanced DBS is required.