Pricipal Social Worker

Wiltshire Council; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Wiltshire Council is seeking an exceptional Principal Social Worker to lead practice across Adult Social Care. You will shape strategy, champion safeguarding, and drive improvements for adults, carers and communities in a dynamic, CQC-rated Good authority.

You must be a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England, with senior leadership experience and the ability to influence at senior level while remaining connected to frontline practice. 37 hours per week with hybrid working.

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker registered with Social Work England.
• Significant senior leadership experience in Adult Social Care.
• Expert knowledge of adult safeguarding, the Care Act and Mental Capacity Act.
• Ability to influence at senior level while staying connected to frontline practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead practice model embedding across Adult Social Care.
• Champion professional standards and safeguarding.
• Drive system-wide improvements across services.
• Develop and support staff supervision and learning.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Adult Social Care

Social Work England registration

Education

Social Work degree

Job description

Principal Social Worker

Date Posted: 2026-10-12

Location: Cardiff, South Glamorgan, GB, CF10 1

Application Deadline: 2026-11-10T10:03:01.107

Salary: £57,814 - £61,489 per annum

Hours per week: 37 hours

Interview date: 1st December 2026

Shape the future of adult social work in a CQC Good-rated authority.

We are looking for an exceptional and experienced social work leader to take on the role of Principal Social Worker. This is a high-profile opportunity for someone who wants to lead practice, influence culture and make a real difference for adults, carers and communities across Wiltshire.

Wiltshire is a forward-thinking local authority with strong foundations and a clear ambition for the future. Following our CQC Good rating, we are building on what works while continuing to raise expectations for excellent, strengths-based and person-centred practice. We have just launched a new innovative practice model, and as Principal Social Worker you will be at the forefront of embedding it across Adult Social Care.

This role offers the chance to lead visible, system-wide change. You will champion professional standards, support confident and reflective practice, and work with colleagues, partners and people who draw on support to turn our practice model into meaningful improvements in everyday experience. You will use evidence, audit, feedback and learning to strengthen quality, drive improvement and help shape a workforce that is ambitious, inclusive and proud of its practice.

We are looking for a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England, with significant senior leadership experience in Adult Social Care. You will bring expert knowledge of adult safeguarding, the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and associated legislation, alongside a strong track record of leading change, improving practice and developing others. You will be a credible professional voice, able to influence at senior level while staying connected to frontline practice.

If you are ambitious for adult social work, passionate about excellent practice and ready to lead the next stage of our journey, we would love to hear from you.

Why us?

• Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos.
• Find out more about Our Identity, staff networks, and employee benefits here.
• Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer facing roles work entirely from their service location.
• We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best.
• We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.