Senior Pause Practitioner – Public Health

12 Months Fixed Term/ Secondment Opportunity (Maternity Cover)

Hackney is one of the most dynamic and progressive local authorities in the UK. We are a resilient, vibrant, and creative borough in the heart of London, with strong, diverse communities and a powerful set of shared values.

Over the past twenty years, the Council has built up first-class services, outstanding public infrastructure, and a reputation for excellence, innovation, and ambition. We are leading the way on essential work such as our fight for equity in Hackney with a particular focus on becoming an actively anti-racist borough. But the work doesn’t stop there, we are proactive in our approach to bringing fairness to all aspects of life including gender, neurodiversity and across the poverty divide.

Our Public Health Service plays a vital role in this mission. We’re passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of our communities in both Hackney and the City of London. We work collaboratively and creatively to address health inequalities and create a healthier future for all.

The City of London Corporation shares this commitment to community and sustainability. As the governing body of the Square Mile, they play a crucial role in supporting a thriving London and contributing to a flourishing society.

If you would like to find out more information about public health in the City and Hackney, please visit the Hackney and City of London Health and Wellbeing Profiles website at https://hackneyjsna.org.uk/ and the services recruitment page at https://recruitment.hackney.gov.uk/the-public-health-team/

Pause works with women who have experienced – or are at risk of – repeated pregnancies that result in children needing to be removed from their care. The programme gives women the chance to pause and take control over their lives, breaking a destructive cycle that causes both them and their children deep trauma.

As a Senior Pause Practitioner Hackney, you will deliver a range of interventions and support measures as part of an integrated package of health, therapeutic and social support for women on the programme and use your expertise to support the team. You will deputise for the Pause and STEPS practice lead, whilst leading on service development projects.

You will undertake a creative and tenacious outreach approach to engage women and utilise a broad range of highly developed skills, alongside a high level of professional autonomy. The post holder will have the ability to adapt to shifting demands and priorities and be flexible in their approach to working with women on the programme and supporting the team.

You will be a big part of a small team, where everyone takes a flexible and collaborative approach to work, and is committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable and marginalised groups. Like Pause, you will be passionate about changing entrenched social issues, and will respond by ‘doing things differently’.

Relevant professional qualification and/or experience in a field relevant to the work of the Pause team e.g. nursing, social work, mental health, education, criminal justice, youth work, therapeutic practice, counselling, criminal justice or equivalent

Highly developed knowledge and understanding of a range of evidence based approaches including systemic practice, social learning theory, attachment and loss, relationship and strength based interventions.

Highly developed knowledge of adult safeguarding, childcare legislation, local Child Protection Procedures and an understanding of child development, parenting capacity and risk and protective factors, and ability to provide advice and guidance on this to other members of the team.

Experience of providing leadership, support and challenge to teams

Experience of leading and implementing Pause or a similar project

Ability to lead on named areas of work related to the development of the Pause service.

Ability to contribute to the development of the strategy of the team.

Please contact the recruiting manager mary.payne@hackney.gov.uk if you have any queries about the role.

Please note, an Enhanced DBS check will be required

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

Closing date for applications: 01 June 2025 (22.59)

Interview and assessment date: W/C 23 June 2025

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk