Position reference: 50017399
Directorate: Children's Services | Service: Children & Family Social Care
Salary: £51,356 - £54,495
Working Arrangements: Agile Working
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Fixed term for 12 months with the potential to extend
See our range of Employee Rewards: Employee rewards and benefits
Closing date: 27/03/2026 at 23:59 - Interviews will take place on 07/04/2026
This is a full-time role. We are committed to supporting work–life balance, and requests for flexible working, including job share, will be considered in line with the needs of the service. Given the requirement for continuity of support to service users, any flexible working arrangements would need to ensure consistency in case management.
The successful candidate will be required to speak English to an appropriate standard.
This post requires an Enhanced DBS Check
If you are currently living overseas or have lived overseas in the last five years please be aware, if you are the preferred candidate for the post, you will be required to apply for an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have resided in. If you experience difficulty in obtaining an overseas criminal record check please email dbs@barnsley.gov.uk
When applying, please ensure you are prepared to start work with all the necessary legal documents, such as a valid visa, relevant to the type of work you will be undertaking. Please be aware that our organisation does not possess a Home Office license and, as a result, is unable to provide sponsorship for anyone seeking a visa as a skilled or temporary migrant worker.
Pensions Regulations have provisions to reduce pension payments in certain circumstances of those who return to work within local government service. If you are in receipt of a pension upon commencing employment with the authority, this may affect your pension entitlements and you should therefore seek advice from the relevant Pensions Authority.
At Barnsley Council you can start a career that makes a real difference to people’s lives, helping our council and residents to be the best they can be.
We’re an award-winning council and one of the biggest employers in the borough, supporting around 243,000 people. We put people at the heart of everything we do, and that includes our employees. As part of the team, we offer lots of benefits and rewards to support you to thrive and grow, like flexible working, employee discounts, support for your health and wellbeing, and opportunities for training and development to grow your career and develop your skills.
There’s so much happening in our thriving borough, and now’s the perfect time to join our excellent Practice Development team as we work to make Barnsley the place of possibilities.
- We’re an award-winning team and one of the biggest employers in the borough supporting around 243,000 people.
- Working at Barnsley Council means being part of a team that makes a real difference to people’s lives, where you can develop the skills you need to make change happen.
- If you join the team you’ll receive great pay alongside an excellent pension scheme. With flexible working we’ll also support your work/life balance, helping you to adjust your hours and take time off when you need it.
- We’ll help you to develop your career and grow your skills with opportunities for training and development.
- There’s so much happening in our thriving borough and your talent and skills will help us make Barnsley the place of possibilities.
- Key to our success is working with our residents, partners, businesses and organisations and building these partnerships to bring about change in Barnsley.
About the Post:
Due to an internal move, we have a rare opportunity for an experienced, motivated and forward thinking social work qualified practitioner to join us to lead our Practice Development team for 2 years.
Our nationally recognised Practice Development Hubis responsible for ensuring that our development offer to practitioners across children’s services gives them the knowledge, skills and tools to achieve the very best outcomes for children.
In this role you will:
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Develop and drive continuous professional development and learning across children’s services, aligned to our Practice Model
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Take the lead on our student and ASYE offer, developing strong partnerships with providers, colleges, universities and partners.
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Play a key role in workforce development, including developing pipelines and leading on our commitment to ‘grow our own’ social workers
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Lead and supervise the Practice Development Team
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You will have;
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A social work qualification and significant post qualification experience
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Experience of leading, supporting and supervising staff
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A commitment to supporting the learning and development of others
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A forward thinking and creative approach
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An ability to work to competing deadlines
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills
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An understanding of local and national priorities in social work practice
You will receive regular supervision, appraisal, training and development opportunities, all aimed at promoting positive outcomes for children and supporting your career development and progression.
Here at Barnsley, we live and work by four important values: honesty, teamwork, excellent service, and taking pride in what we do. As part of our team, you can be assured we will support you in striving for excellence in your work. We prioritise learning and enabling you to achieve your potential. So we’ve created a development process that lets you grow in the way that suits you - whether that’s training to be a leader, or learning flexibly online. That’s one of the reasons why we achieved IIP Gold, and why you’ll find your career here inspiring and rewarding.
For further information please contact Louise Danks, Principal Social Worker louisedanks1@barnsley.gov.uk
Interviews will take place on 07/04/2026.
Please use the documents below to help support you with your application form.
Job Profile: 116577 Social Work Practice Development Manager Profile 20241108.docx
Vacancy Exposure Profile: Exposure Profile LOW.pdf
Help with your application form
Please ensure you view the job profile for this role, as you will need to demonstrate in your application form how you meet the required criteria.
We welcome the opportunity to have a chat about the role and are happy to address any questions you may have about flexible working arrangements, including as a result of caring responsibilities.
We're committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued and everyone truly feels able to be themselves. If you have any support needs during the recruitment process, please let us know.
CV's are not accepted for this role.
At Barnsley Council, we believe in second chances and value diversity. Our recruitment process is inclusive, and we welcome applicants with past convictions. We're committed to fairness and do not discriminate. Join us in building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. #InclusiveHiring #SecondChances"
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