Advanced Practitioner

. Somerset Council; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

LGPS pension

Flexible/hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Volunteer opportunities

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Somerset Council in Taunton is seeking an Advanced Practitioner to lead complex safeguarding, child protection and care planning cases. You will provide expert guidance, supervise colleagues, and work with Health, Education and Police partners to deliver evidence‑based, child‑centred practice.

The role requires the ability to manage complex caseloads, chair meetings, and drive service improvements while maintaining professional leadership.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
• Strong knowledge of social work practice, safeguarding legislation and guidance.
• Experience managing complex safeguarding cases and multi‑agency work with positive outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex safeguarding, child protection, permanence and care planning cases.
• Provide expert guidance and support to social workers.
• Complete advanced assessments and manage complex caseloads.
• Chair key meetings and contribute to service improvement and resource management.
• Mentor and supervise colleagues and students where required.
• Collaborate with multi‑agency partners to safeguard children and promote wellbeing.

Skills

Social Work English registration

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership in safeguarding

IT skills for case recording

Education

Social Work degree

Tools

Case recording software

General IT proficiency

Job description

Salary: Grade 9, Ranging from £41, 771 to £46,142 per annum. Contract: Permanent. Hours: 37 Hours a week. Closing date: 9 September 2026.

About the Role

As an Advanced Practitioner, you'll play a key role in safeguarding children and young people, managing complex cases and delivering effective, evidence-based interventions that reduce risk and improve outcomes. You'll provide specialist advice, guidance and professional leadership to colleagues, work closely with partners across Health, Education and Police, and help drive high-quality, child-centred practice. You'll also contribute to service improvement initiatives and support the Team Manager to ensure strong leadership and excellent service delivery.

How You'll Make a Difference

• Lead complex safeguarding, child protection, permanence and care planning cases, ensuring the best outcomes for children and families.
• Provide expert guidance, challenge and support to social workers, driving high-quality practice and decision-making.
• Complete advanced assessments, manage complex caseloads and use professional judgement to identify risks, strengths and needs.
• Chair key meetings, review plans and contribute to service improvement, performance and effective resource management.
• Support and develop others through mentoring, supervising social work students (maintaining PEPs qualification) and, where required, line managing team members.
• Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners to safeguard children, promote wellbeing and deliver lasting positive change.

What You'll Bring

• Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
• Strong knowledge of social work practice, safeguarding legislation and guidance.
• Experience supporting children and young people at risk of significant harm, managing complex caseloads and achieving positive outcomes through multi-agency working.
• Excellent assessment, analytical, planning and report-writing skills, with the ability to make sound decisions and work independently.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, including chairing meetings, providing professional challenge and working effectively with children, families and partner agencies.
• Experience supervising, mentoring or supporting colleagues, with good IT skills for case recording and information management.

Why Join Us?

• At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities.
• Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.
• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work‑life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/

Further Information

• 30 day's annual leave (additional to bank holidays).
• Based at our modern, refurbished County Hall offices in Taunton, and the option to work flexibly from home, expectation that some travel to a locality, will be required for meetings.
• Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.
• For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Jules Hutchings - Project Officer, [e-mail]

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.

Job Decsription: AG0612 Advanced Practitioner Job Number 1266/SR