Senior Practitioner

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC625105

Salary Range: £41,985 - £46,565 per annum

Work Location: Havant Plaza, Havant (Hybrid Working)

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 11 October 2026

The Role:

Join our Refugee Team as a Senior Practitioner and play a vital role in supporting separated children, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, refugee young people, care leavers, families with No Recourse to Public Funds, and those arriving through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. You will help them to feel safe, settled and supported as they begin to rebuild their lives in the UK. This is a unique opportunity to join a creative and dedicated service working with children, young people and families who may have experienced trauma, loss, uncertainty, disrupted education, family separation, insecure immigration status, financial hardship and significant life transitions.

You will work collaboratively with Care Leaver Personal Advisers, managers, carers, education providers, health professionals, legal representatives, interpreters and partner agencies to deliver practical, relationship-based support. Through your work, you will empower young people to understand their rights and entitlements, access education and healthcare, sustain suitable accommodation, build independence, and make informed plans for their future.

What you’ll do:

- Manage a caseload, providing practical support and guidance to help individuals thrive.

- Lead on complex cases, developing and reviewing pathway plans that focus on achieving positive outcomes.

- Support and mentor colleagues, sharing your expertise and promoting high standards of professional practice.

- Work closely with partner agencies including housing, education, health and social care services to coordinate effective support.

- Assist the Team Manager with quality assurance, service improvement and the day-to-day operation of the team.

What we’re looking for:

- Experience working with young people, particularly separated children, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, refugee young people, care leavers, families with No Recourse to Public Funds, and those arriving through the Homes for Ukraine scheme

- Strong knowledge of safeguarding, legislation and best practice relating to care leavers and young adults.

- The confidence to manage complex situations, make sound professional decisions and support colleagues.

- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with a range of partners.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Senior Practitioner role, team and our values. The section ‘About you’ explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

Why join us?

- Outstanding support: Regular, reflective supervision and a culture that values your voice.

- Flexible working: Including a 9-day fortnight and hybrid options to support work-life balance.

- Career development: 5 personal development days per year and access to excellent learning opportunities through our DfE ‘Partner in Practice’ initiative.

- Back-office support: Dedicated business support team to free up your time for frontline work.

- Wellbeing support: Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.

- Competitive benefits package: Generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here (https://www.hants.gov.uk/jobs/whychooseus/benefits).

Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, therefore the advert may close early.

Important: You must already have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Other job titles you may be searching for may include: Welfare Worker, Case Manager, Social Work Practitioner, Children’s Services Practitioner, Senior Case Manager

Travel Requirements:

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight or other local authority, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

Additional Information:

Senior Practitioner Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

For general enquiries, please contact [email protected]

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Natasha Phillpott, Team Manager on [email protected]

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.