Practice Development Advisor - 37 Hours

Role Overview

Join Torbay Children's Services as a Practice Development Advisor within our Learning Academy, where you will play a vital role in nurturing the next generation of social workers. Your efforts will help shape the workforce to deliver the best possible outcomes for children and families in Torbay through professional growth, reflection, and high-quality practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme, supporting newly qualified social workers.
• Deliver practice education, mentoring, and assessment to social work students and apprentices.
• Manage and coordinate student placements throughout Children's Services.
• Create and provide impactful learning and development sessions that encourage professional confidence and growth.
• Encourage reflective practice, professional curiosity, and continuous learning among learners.
• Promote restorative, relationship-based approaches, helping learners apply these principles in working with children, families, and colleagues.
• Support workforce development initiatives and the rollout of national children's social care reforms.
• Collaborate closely with managers, practitioners, universities, and partners to enhance learning and development within the service.

Candidate Profile

• Registered Social Worker with Social Work England and holding a recognized social work qualification.
• Possess a Practice Educator Professional Standards Stage 2 qualification or equivalent.
• Broad experience in statutory children's social work and demonstrated expertise in supporting learners including students, apprentices, and newly qualified social workers.
• Strong understanding of social work education, workforce development, and continuous professional learning.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and facilitation aptitude.
• Firm commitment to restorative, anti-discriminatory, and relationship-based practice promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Capability to challenge discrimination and nurture inclusive environments where all learners feel valued and supported to reach their potential.
• Passionate about empowering others to develop strengths and professional confidence.
• Familiarity with current local and national developments, children’s social care reforms, and organizational priorities.

Why Torbay Council?

• Be part of an innovative and supportive Learning Academy fostering workforce excellence.
• Guide and influence social work practice across Children's Services.
• Contribute to building a resilient and skilled future workforce.
• Engage in a service culture focused on reflection, restorative practice, and continuous development.
• Enjoy flexible hybrid working arrangements alongside comprehensive wellbeing and employee benefits.
• Make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families daily.

Additional Information

This role involves regulated activities requiring an Enhanced Criminal Record Check, including a Barred List Check (Adult, Child or both), covering spent and unspent convictions, adult cautions, local police intelligence, and barred list status. Interviews are scheduled for the week commencing 24 August 2026. Please note this post is not open to visa sponsorship and vacancies may close before the deadline.

Required Skills and Knowledge

• Strong interpersonal and digital communication skills.
• Experience designing and delivering engaging learning materials.
• Competent in coaching, mentoring, and conducting performance assessments for non-line report learners.
• Effective problem solver employing strengths-based approaches.
• Reflective practitioner with ability to critically analyse own and others' work.
• Comprehensive knowledge of social work practice education and sector reforms.
• Familiarity with the ASYE framework and children’s social care legislation and policy.
• Skill in evaluating practice and identifying learning needs to enhance service quality.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree-level or higher professional social work qualification.
• Current registration with Social Work England.
• Practice Educator qualification at degree level or above.
• Post-qualification experience encompassing child development, safeguarding, and relevant policies.
• Demonstrated experience supporting, supervising, and assessing social work students and/or newly qualified social workers.