Childrens Senior Practitioner – Family Help Team – #OR108425

Job Description

Thurrock Council is seeking an experienced Childrens Senior Practitioner to join the Family Help Team, based at the Civic Offices in Grays, Essex. This is a demanding and rewarding role for a qualified social worker with the skills and resilience to hold a complex caseload spanning Early Help Plans, Child Protection Plans, Children in Need Plans, and Children in Care Plans — including cases active within care proceedings.

You will initiate Public Law Outline and Care Proceedings, prepare Witness Statements and Care Plans for court, and complete a broad range of assessments including parenting capacity, sibling, kinship/connected person, Viability, Special Guardianship, Pre-Birth, and Child and Family Assessments. You will present cases at Child Protection Conferences, chair Core Group and Child in Need meetings, and complete Section 7, Section 37, and Child in Care Reports for private and public law proceedings. Direct work with children and families — including home and school visits — is central to the role, as is close liaison with partner agencies to safeguard and promote children’s welfare.

The successful candidate will be a Social Work England registered qualified social worker with substantial post-qualifying experience in a children’s statutory setting, confidence in court work, and the analytical ability to provide evidence-based assessments of significant harm. Strong written communication and a child-centred approach are essential.

Rate: £24.48–£32.66 per hour. Start date: 7 August 2026. Location: Grays, RM17 6SL. Contact us today to find out more or to submit your application.

What’s on offer:

* Excellent, competitive pay rates – paid weekly
* Supportive management team with approachable, experienced leaders
* A desirable location with great transport links
* A stable, well-resourced, and encouraging working environment

Why join Semester.co.uk?

* Free ongoing CPD and training opportunities to enhance your skills
* Competitive rates of pay with prompt, reliable payments through our in-house payroll
* Enhanced DBS processing included
* Dedicated, friendly consultant offering tailored support
* Access to a wide range of opportunities in your chosen location

Ready to take the next step? Click ‘Apply’ now to express your interest in this role, or explore other exciting opportunities with Semester.co.uk.