Advanced Practitioner - Social Worker - Neighbourhoods (Adults)

Somerset Council; Bridgwater; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

LGPS pension

Flexible and hybrid working

Learning and development support

Health and wellbeing support

Paid volunteering opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council in Somerset is seeking an Advanced Practitioner Social Worker to lead practice within the Neighbourhood team and support colleagues managing complex cases. You will provide professional leadership, steer safeguarding and risk management, and deliver reflective supervision to staff.

This hybrid role includes collaboration with health and voluntary sector partners, ongoing leadership development, and opportunities for progression.

Qualifications

• Recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Significant post-qualifying experience in Adult Social Care.
• Experience supporting or supervising practitioners with complex casework.
• Strong knowledge of Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and safeguarding.
• Excellent risk assessment, analysis and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to provide constructive challenge, leadership and professional support.
• Strong partnership-working skills across multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership and advanced social work practice across the Neighbourhood team.
• Support practitioners with complex casework, joint visits, assessments and professional decision‑making.
• Lead and promote strengths-based practice to keep people independent.
• Champion safeguarding practice, risk management and MCA/Court of Protection work where required.
• Deliver reflective supervision to Social Workers and Adult Social Care Practitioners.
• Coach, mentor and provide professional guidance to colleagues.
• Support service development, quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with health services, neighbourhood partners and voluntary sector organisations.
• Assist the Service Manager with operational delivery, performance and workforce development.
• Progress opportunities through supervision and training.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding

Risk assessment

Decision-making

Coaching/mentoring

Partnership-working

Reflective practice

Education

Social Work qualification

Registration with Social Work England

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Adult Social Worker looking to progress into a leadership role whilst remaining close to practice. As an Advanced Practitioner Social Worker, you'll play a key role in supporting your team, developing excellent social work practice and ensuring residents receive high-quality, strengths-based support within their local communities., As an Advanced Practitioner, you will provide professional leadership across the team, supporting practitioners with complex casework, safeguarding practice, risk management and decision-making. Working alongside the Service Manager, you'll help create a high-performing team culture that delivers excellent outcomes for residents and their families.

How You'll Make a Difference

• Provide professional leadership and advanced social work practice across the Neighbourhood team.
• Support practitioners with complex casework, joint visits, assessments and professional decision-making.
• Lead and promote high-quality strengths-based practice that enables people to remain independent for as long as possible.
• Champion safeguarding practice, including risk management, Mental Capacity Act work and Court of Protection activity where required.
• Deliver high-quality reflective supervision to Social Workers and Adult Social Care Practitioners.
• Act as a source of expertise, providing coaching, mentoring and professional guidance to colleagues.
• Support service development, quality assurance and continuous improvement activity within the team.
• Work collaboratively with health services, neighbourhood partners and voluntary sector organisations to deliver joined-up support.
• Support the Service Manager with operational delivery, performance, workforce development and team improvement activities., This role operates on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of two days per week office-based and the remainder worked flexibly in line with service needs.
• The role includes supervision of Social Workers and Adult Social Care Practitioners.
• Opportunities for progression, leadership development and advanced practice are actively supported through supervision and training.
• Please note we may consider Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for suitably qualified Social Workers who are already residing in the UK. Sponsorship will be assessed as part of the recruitment process.
• Due to the nature of the role and the geographical area covered, applicants must have full access to a vehicle that can be used for work purposes.
• We welcome applications from disabled candidates and are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments from the first point of contact.
• A recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Significant post-qualifying experience within Adult Social Care.
• Experience supporting or supervising practitioners with complex casework.
• Strong knowledge of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, safeguarding legislation and human rights-based practice.
• Excellent risk assessment, analysis and decision-making skills.
• The ability to provide constructive challenge, leadership and professional support.
• Strong partnership-working skills and experience working across multidisciplinary teams.
• A commitment to reflective practice, continuous improvement and developing others. At Somerset Council, we're committed to helping our Social Workers thrive. You'll join a supportive organisation that values professional curiosity, innovation and continuous development.
• 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 where service needs allow.
• Ongoing leadership development and advanced practice opportunities.
• Dedicated learning and development support.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities.