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West Sussex County Council; Littlehampton; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

West Sussex County Council is seeking an experienced social worker to deliver strengths‑based assessments and personalised support plans. You will manage complex caseloads, collaborate with carers and multiple agencies, and uphold safeguarding standards within a community‑focused service.

The role blends office and home working, with regular meetings in Worthing and Arun Civic Centre, and a flexible schedule to meet service needs.

Qualifications

• Experience of strengths-based assessment in complex situations and implementing outcomes.
• Leadership in partnerships with carers, colleagues and external agencies.
• Managing complex risks using a risk-enabled, evidence‑based approach.
• Analysis of complex information to prioritise needs and plan interventions.
• Experience leading safeguarding enquiries.
• Degree in Social Work and registration with Social Work England are essential.
• Full driving licence is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Carry out strengths‑based assessments in customers' homes as part of DORS input.
• Develop and implement support plans to improve wellbeing and meet eligible needs.
• Manage a complex caseload and collaborate with family/friend carers and services.
• Work with staff and voluntary agencies, ensuring compliance with legislation and standards.
• Be office-based at Arun Civic Centre with weekly office presence and team meetings; hybrid working.

Skills

Strengths-based assessment

Leadership in partnerships

Risk enablement

Data analysis

Safeguarding enquiries

Education

Degree in Social Work

Registered with Social Work England

Job description

About The Job

Working for us at West Sussex County Council is all about making a positive difference to the people of West Sussex. This is a great opportunity for you to join us as an experienced qualified social worker.

We're embracing a strength based approach and working within a community‑led support model that builds on the assets and strengths of both people and their local communities. Together, we'll focus on prevention, enablement, reablement and safety, to promote wellbeing and independence.

We'll ensure that residents, families, and communities have the right support in place, and at the right time. We provide a working environment that values professional supervision and offers the right balance between challenge and support.

This provides our workforce with what they need to deliver the best possible outcomes for our residents. We work to ensure that innovation and evidence‑based practice underpins what we do and that we maintain an environment within which our social workers can develop and progress in their careers.

Salary: £40,777 to £48,738 per annum (grades 10 to 11)

Working Pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week

Contract Length: Fixed term contract until 31/03/2027

Location: Office base is Arun Civic Centre

This is a community role carrying out assessments in customers homes following input from Discharge Outreach Recovery Service (DORS). The successful applicant is expected to come to the office in Arun Civic Centre once a week and for team meetings.

As a Social Worker/Senior Social Worker, you will be part of a dynamic social work service conducting strengths‑based assessments in complex situations. You will apply relevant legislation and advanced social work skills to develop and implement support plans that enhance wellbeing and achieve positive outcomes, while also contributing to safeguarding efforts.

You will manage a complex caseload, collaborating with individuals and their family or friend carers, conducting strengths‑based assessments and reviews to identify eligible needs and personalised outcomes.

You will apply your social work skills to develop and implement support plans that improve wellbeing and meet eligible needs, while utilising community assets.

You will collaborate effectively with staff and voluntary agencies, demonstrating a strong understanding of relevant health, voluntary, and private services in the area. You will stay informed and compliant with legislation, organisational procedures, policies, and the Social Work England professional standards to maintain a high‑quality, seamless service.

Your office based will be in Worthing, with opportunities to work hybrid from home part of the week. You will need to take an organised approach whilst exercising your expertise with knowledge of policies and legislations to support those in need.

There will also be a requirement for you to work flexibly to support customers, carers and families, sometimes out of normal office hours. You will be required to travel county wide, including to locations that are not always easily accessible by public transport so it is desirable for you to have a driving licence.

If you are a grade 10 social worker applying for a grade 11 senior social worker post to progress and you are an internal applicant please follow the internal progression process

Experience and Skills

Key Skills & Qualifications

(please cover with examples within your application as these are the short‑listing criteria):

Experience of working proactively as a member of the team to make an accurate strengths‑based assessment of needs in complex situations and negotiate and implement effective plans and outcomes (in line with relevant legislation).

2. Demonstrable evidence of leadership skills when working in partnership with people, carers, colleagues and a variety of external agencies in complex situations to meet people’s outcomes.

3. Experience of managing situations with complex and competing risks, utilising a risk enablement approach and using evidence‑based practice.

4. Experience of analysis and interpretation of complex people related information and data to prioritise needs and formulate plans for intervention and service provision.

5. Experience of leading on safeguarding enquiries.

Qualifications and/or experience:

A Degree in Social Work or a recognised equivalent Social Work qualification e.g., Diploma in Social Work.

Registered with Social Work EnglandExperience of undertaking assessments in complex situations and social work intervention planning, implementation, and review by means of creative and pragmatic solutions.

Valid, full driving licence. Desirable

Rewards and Benefits

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our

Rewards and Benefits page.

Further Information

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to Social Work England registration, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.

West Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting an environment that is inclusive and free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of its people. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and take every possible step to ensure that no individual will be disadvantaged.

For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veteran's Guaranteed Interview Scheme (if you meet the essential criteria), this can be found on our