Parent Assess Practitioner | Sandwell Children’s Trust | £33.30 per hour

Sandwell Children’s Trust is looking for exceptional Parent Assess Practitioners to join the service on a full-time or 4-day per week basis. This is a specialist opportunity for social work qualified practitioners with at least 4 years’ post-qualified experience, ideally with training in the Parent Assess model and recent experience completing parenting assessments with parents who have cognitive needs, learning needs and/or a learning disability.

This role would suit a highly skilled practitioner with strong court-based experience, excellent written analysis, and the ability to deliver thorough, evidence-based and child-centred parenting assessments. You will work in a non-case holding capacity alongside Child Protection and Court teams, contributing high-quality specialist assessments that support informed decision-making and safe planning for children.

Role Overview
You will undertake specialist parenting assessments using the Parent Assess model, supporting social work teams by providing high-quality analytical assessments and expert input in cases where parents may have cognitive or learning needs. The role sits under the oversight of the Service Manager, who will manage allocations and quality assure completed assessments. There will also be opportunity to complete additional assessment work including risk assessments, together or apart assessments, and child impact reports.

Key responsibilities

• Undertake specialist parenting assessments using the Parent Assess model
• Complete assessments involving parents with cognitive needs, learning needs and/or learning disabilities
• Use Infant Care Index video feedback as part of assessment and analysis where appropriate
• Produce high-quality, evidence-based and court-ready reports within agreed timescales
• Provide clear analysis and recommendations that support child-centred decision-making and permanence planning
• Give evidence confidently in court as required, acting as an Expert Witness where appropriate
• Work closely alongside Child Protection and Court social work teams in a non-case holding specialist role
• Contribute to additional specialist assessment work including risk assessments, together or apart assessments, and child impact reports
• Support implementation of the Parent Assess model across Sandwell Children’s Trust by offering advice and guidance to practitioners where needed
• Attend legal meetings, care planning meetings and other key multi-agency forums as required
• Maintain high standards of recording, assessment quality and professional accountability throughout all work

Benefits

• £33.30 per hour
• 30–37 hours per week
• Full-time or 4-day per week working options
• Flexible working patterns considered, including 37 hours across 4 days or 10 days across 9
• Hybrid working available
• Specialist non-case holding role
• Opportunity to work within a supportive structure with Service Manager oversight and quality assurance

Requirements

• Social Work England registration
• Social work qualification
• At least 4 years’ post-qualified experience
• Training in the Parent Assess model is highly desirable
• Recent experience completing parenting assessments with parents who have cognitive needs, learning needs and/or learning disabilities
• Strong experience preparing court-ready reports and giving evidence in court
• Ability to produce high-quality, analytical and child-focused assessments
• Willingness to attend the office 2–3 days per week and participate in legal and care planning meetings

Interested?
For more information or to apply, please contact Emily Cooper on ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com or 07745 200325.

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