Advanced Practitioner

Job Introduction

This is what progress looks like

There's never been a more exciting time to join our adoption service: alongside making a difference to the lives of children and families in Lincolnshire, we're sharing best practice and driving innovation alongside other authorities by being a member of the Family Adoption Links regional partnership.

Our people are at the heart of this progress: that's why we make sure they have access to the best support, development, and training opportunities. Staff will also have access to regional training and attending national working groups, in addition to the excellent training on offer from Lincolnshire.

Adoption social work is challenging - we're making sure it's challenging for the right reasons.

This is what potential looks like

Lincolnshire is an Outstanding Authority; Lincolnshire County Council specialise in providing excellent adoption services and support for children and young people who have diverse needs because of their early experiences. We endeavour to create an adoption experience that is individually tailored to the needs of children in our care, enabling them to express their characters, feel safe and enrich their lives.

Are you an experienced, committed and innovative Social Worker? Do you believe that Putting Children First is the key to successful outcomes for children and families? If you can answer yes to both questions, then Lincolnshire County Council may just be the place you belong.

Children's Social Work at Lincolnshire County Council

Our Social Work teams are amongst the absolute best in the country. We have an overall Outstanding rating from Ofsted and in our recent inspection in April 2023 we maintained this judgement which we are very proud of. We are not about to let up on our progress and development though! As an organisation we are extremely proud of the work our teams undertake and this pride shines through from every member of the teams.

Our practice model is Signs of Safety and this is underpinned by a firm commitment to restorative practice, working in a way where the strengths of the family and their network are honoured and families are supported to develop their own solutions. Most importantly, we believe the voice of the child should be at the very heart of every plan.

About the Role of an Advanced Practitioner

As an Advanced Practitioner in our Children's team you will work with children and their birth families where there is a possible plan of adoption. The role includes completing child permanence reports, and taking a lead role in the family finding, matching and placement of children for adoption. Our workers support children and their birth and adoptive families through the adoption process and are responsible for the completion of life story books and later in life letters.     

As well as case holding, the more complex cases, our Advanced Practitioners provide mentoring, coaching, support and practice expertise to other less experienced team members inspiring them in their social work career paths. Our Advanced Practitioners will be championing best practice and supporting the modernisation of adoption agenda including individualised staying in touch plans.  

There will be opportunity to become a Practice Educator for Social Work students. If you wish to progress into a manager role, as many of our Advanced Practitioners have done, being appointed to an Advanced Practitioner post with us will absolutely provide you with the development opportunities you need to fulfil your ambition.

Closing date: 13/04/2026

Interview Dates 23/04/26 and 24/04/26.  

If you would like an open and informal discussion regards this role then please contact; Juliet Collingwood via email juliet.collingwood@lincolnshire.gov.uk

PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that your personal statement clearly states why you have applied, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description (attached on LCC jobs Site) and what you feel you can bring to this role, the team and the wider County Council.

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

A relocation package may be considered for the successful candidate. More details relating to our Relocation Policy can be found here.

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. Please also note: once an application is submitted it is final and cannot be amended. If you withdraw your application, it cannot be reinstated and you will not be able to submit another application for that vacancy. If you have an issue with your submitted application, please contact recruitment@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary.  Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty 

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.