Senior Practitioner - Fostering & Permanence

The Kinship and Permanence Team is co-located with the General Fostering and Placements Team, Care Experienced Children and 16+ teams to enable effective collaborative working, based in the Civic Offices. We are a team of 15 staff comprising of Supervising Social Workers, Reunification Support Workers, a Social Work Assistant, as well as having dedicated Business Support staff. As a team, we undertake the assessment, supervision, and support of all kinship carers in Bridgend. We are a forward thinking, creative, supportive, and friendly team who are passionate about kinship care. If you share our passion, we would love to hear from you and you can expect a warm welcome when you join us.

In this rewarding role you will be committed to working with a person-centred and strength-based approach, demonstrating a keen knowledge and experience of working within a fostering/children's service at a senior level. As a senior practitioner, you can expect to be liaising closely with Managers at various levels, our legal department, and other children's Social Work teams. A proven ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships through excellent communication will support a successful application.

To ensure that we consistently meet the needs of our kinship carers, the children in their care and their families, your role will include holding a small complex and diverse caseload including undertaking kinship and SGO assessments, mentoring staff, involvement in the day to day operational running of the team ensuring we are meeting our compliance and legal timescales. You will also be working with the Team Manager and Deputy Team Manager to contribute to the support and development of the service, so will be required to cover for the Deputy Team Manager which will involve supervision of staff when required.

To support you in this exciting and rewarding role, you will receive a robust induction, high quality, regular supervision as well as professional encouragement to access training and career opportunities. Whilst we are a Signs of Safety Local Authority, previous training and experience of the model is not a requirement as we provide favourable training and a dedicated officer to support the teams to integrate the model into their everyday working arrangements.

We understand that social workers undertake challenging, yet rewarding, duties every day and as a local authority we value the resilience and passion demonstrated on a regular basis by our teams.

- This role currently attracts a relocation package of up to £8,000 for those looking to move into the area for this role (Terms and conditions apply).

- We operate a convenient flexible working and hybrid working model, allowing you to maximise your time in line with your personal priorities.

- We are committed to promoting the health, safety, and wellbeing of our employees, and provide you access to a free Employee Assistance Programme which includes a confidential 24/7 counselling line and support specialists.

- As a valued member of staff, you will have access to a generous pension scheme and exclusive discounts and rewards.

- A monthly Health and Wellbeing newsletter with various initiatives and strategies to raise awareness and encourage a healthy workplace for you and your team.

If you are interested in this role and have any questions, or wish to speak to or meet the team, please contact Amanda Etherington, Team Manager on 01656 642294 or email amanda.etherington@bridgend.gov.uk

The ability to greet customers through the medium of Welsh is a requirement for this post.

Protecting children, young people or adults at risk is a core responsibility of all council employees.

An Enhanced Children and Adults Barred list criminal records check by the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) is a requirement for this post.

A valid driving licence is requirement for this post.

The council's Hybrid Working Policy applies to this post. This provides a framework for establishing how you will undertake working hours between your home and the office.

Closing Date: 19 November 2025

Shortlisting Date: 20 November 2025

Interview Date: 28 November 2025

Benefits to working at Bridgend County Borough Council

Job Description & Person Specification