Advanced Practitioner

Somerset Council; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

LGPS pension

Hybrid working arrangements

Health and wellbeing support

Paid volunteering opportunities

CPD through learning programme

Career progression opportunities

Finish at 4:30 pm on Fridays

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking a Senior Social Worker/Advanced Practitioner to manage a complex caseload and support the team through mentoring, teaching students, and chairing planning meetings and Strategy Discussions. You will collaborate closely with the Team Manager and other APs to balance responsibilities and develop practice specialisms across the county.

The role emphasizes safeguarding, cross‑agency partnerships, CPD, and flexible hybrid working to suit service needs.

Qualifications

• Must have significant post-qualification experience in safeguarding.
• Be registered with Social Work England.

Responsibilities

• Case holding for complex Child in Need, Child Protection and pre-proceedings/court work.
• Engage in positive multi‑agency working to ensure plans meet needs and are implemented at the right level.

Skills

Case management

Mentoring

Education & training

Multi-agency collaboration

Planning meetings

Job description

As a Senior Social Worker/Advanced Practitioner in the team, you will hold a caseload of complex work, but also support the team in other ways, including practice educating students, co-working, and mentoring less experienced colleagues, and chairing planning meetings and Strategy Discussions. You will work closely with the Team Manager and the other AP's in the team to manage the balance of the different parts of the role flexibly, so that it suits you, your colleagues, and the families you support. We will encourage you to develop practice specialisms and link with colleagues countywide and partner agencies, to build your expertise so you can share it with the team.

• Case holding complex Child in Need, Child Protection and pre-proceedings/court work
• Positive and supportive multi-agency working to ensure plans meet identified needs and are implemented at the right level for the family
• Attendance at Advance Practitioner meetings and contributing ideas to build strong social worker knowledge and skills.
• QA of care planning in the area teams
  Have significant post Social Work qualification experience in Safeguarding
• Be able to develop and grow strong and supportive working relationships with children and young people, parents and carers and professional agencies
• Have strong problem solving skills and are able to manage unexpected situations in a calm way
• Be able to manage and prioritise your workload and any competing demands.
• Be registered with Social Work England.
  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.
• 30 days 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., A commitment to your CPD through a bespoke learning and development programme
• Great opportunities for career progression in Somerset
• Permanent 37 per week, finishing at 4:30 pm on Fridays.