Senior Social Worker

Milton-Keynes-Council; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great holiday benefits

Excellent pension

Family friendly policies

Health cash plan

Bike purchase scheme

Blue Light Card

Job summary

Milton Keynes City Council is recruiting two Senior Social Workers to join our Adult Social Care, Mental Health & Complex Needs team. You will undertake strengths-based assessments, develop support plans, manage complex cases and work with health professionals and partner organisations to promote independence and wellbeing.

This is a site-based role with flexible arrangements, and interviews are scheduled for 6 October 2026.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Strong understanding of strengths-based practice.
• Experience in assessment, risk management and case coordination.
• Excellent communication and recording skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate complex cases with high levels of risk, including safeguarding.
• Undertake strengths-based assessments and develop outcome-focused support plans.
• Work collaboratively with individuals, families, health professionals and partner organisations.
• Assess and manage risk while complying with legal frameworks and guidance.
• Maintain accurate case records, reports and assessments within timescales.
• Participate in reflective supervision and continuous professional development.

Education

Social Work qualification (Bachelor's degree)

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Closing Date:

27/09/2026

Job Category:

Adult Social Care

Service Area:

Adult Services- Mental Health

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32days after five years.In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can lease an electric or low-emission vehicle at a reduced cost through salary sacrifice, subject to National Minimum Wage and other eligibility requirements.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.

Job Introduction

We’re recruiting two Senior Social Workers to join our Adult Social Care, Mental Health & Complex Needs team.

We are a highly experienced, dynamic and critical team of Social Work Managers, Social Workers, Social Work Assistants and Support Workers delivering Adult Care Services under the Care Act 2014 and Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983/2007 to Service users with Mental Health difficulties and Complex needs. You will have opportunity to contribute and further develop your skills in our specialist Mental Health areas.Our team pathways include Rough Sleepers, short term preventative pathway and long-term pathway, such as joint funding under s117, Forensic pathway, Court of Protection and safeguarding.

The Mental Health and Complex Needs Team supports adults with mental health needs and complex circumstances to live as independently and safely as possible.

The team works closely with individuals, their families, health services, and partner organisations to assess needs, develop support plans, and coordinate services that promote wellbeing, independence and positive outcomes.

As a Social Worker, you’ll play a vital role in supporting adults with mental health needs and complex circumstances to achieve the outcomes that matter most to them.

You’ll undertake strengths-based assessments, develop support plans, manage complex cases, and work collaboratively with a range of professionals to promote independence, safety, choice and control.

Site-Based role

This is a Site-Based role, and you’ll be expected to work from the designated workplace.

Interviews for this role will be held on 6th October 2026

Additional Payments

Retention Payment

We recognise the valuable contribution our Social Workers make and offer a retention payment for eligible colleagues

At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.

We take pride in our supportive work culture and try to go that extra mile when it comes to investing in our colleagues.

• Lead and coordinate complex cases involving high levels of risk, including safeguarding enquiries under Section 42 of the Care Act.
• Undertake strengths-based assessments and develop outcome-focused support plans that promote independence and wellbeing.
• Work collaboratively with individuals, families, health professionals and partner organisations to achieve positive outcomes.
• Assess and manage risk while making informed decisions within relevant legislation, policy and professional guidance.
• Maintain accurate case records, reports and assessments within agreed timescales.
• Participate in reflective supervision and apply learning, professional curiosity and continuous improvement to practice.

Ideal Candidate

• A qualified Social Worker holding a recognised social work qualification and registered with Social Work England.
• With a strong understanding of strengths-based practice, you can work confidently with adults who have mental health needs and complex circumstances.
• Bringing experience of assessment, risk management and case coordination, you are able to make sound professional decisions within legal frameworks including the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and Human Rights legislation.
• Motivated by improving lives, you build positive relationships with individuals, families and partner agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Equipped with excellent communication and recording skills, you can manage competing demands while maintaining high standards of professional practice.
• Committed to continuous professional development, you demonstrate our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative in everything you do.

Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle

To be successful in this role, you’ll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If we offer you the role, we’ll ask you to provide evidence of your driving licence and vehicle insurance, including cover for business use. We’re unable to confirm an appointment until these documents are received.

Safer Recruitment

Safer Recruitment applies to this role. This means that, before any appointment is confirmed, we’ll carry out a range of pre-employment checks to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults. These checks may include identity verification, where candidates will be required to provide original identification documents, including a full birth certificate, employment history and reference checks, qualification checks and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, (unless you are currently registered with the DBS Update Service). check where required.

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences. Milton Keynes City Council is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the diversity of our community. We actively encourage applications from candidates who bring a range of perspectives, particularly those from underrepresented groups.

We are proud to have signed up to the Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard (SC-WRES), a continuous improvement programme designed to help social care organisations achieve anti-racist workplaces. Our commitment means we are actively working to identify and address inequalities, improve representation in leadership, and ensure fair treatment and opportunity for all colleagues in Adult Services. [skillsforcare.org.uk]

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.