Senior Social Worker - Physical Disability and Older Peoples (PDOP) Team

Reading Borough Council; England; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Social Worker to join the Physical Disability and Older People’s Team. The role involves managing a diverse caseload, supervising staff, and enhancing the quality of care for adults in need. Candidates should have a degree in Social Work and be registered with Social Work England. The council emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion, offering a range of benefits including generous holiday entitlement and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Flexible working opportunities

Access to training and learning opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

On-site nursery

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent in Social Work.
• Registration with Social Work England.
• Excellent understanding of the Care Act 2014.
• Excellent understanding of Community DOLs / Mental Capacity Act.
• Understanding of Court of Protection processes.

Responsibilities

• Hold a varied caseload and supervise staff.
• Contribute to team performance and positive outcomes.
• Support duty workers with guidance on social work intervention.

Skills

Understanding of the Care Act 2014

Understanding of Community DOLs / Mental Capacity Act

Understanding of Court of Protection processes

Education

Degree or equivalent in Social Work

Registration with Social Work England

Job description

Are you a Senior Social Worker looking to take the next step in your career? Join our Physical Disability and Older People’s (PDOP) Team and make a meaningful impact on the lives of adults who rely on high-quality, person-centered support to live safely and independently.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the Team

The PDOP Team forms part of the Living Well Service of ASC where the Mental Health, Review Team and Learning Disability and Neurodiversity (LDN) teams are also members.

PDOP is a high-performing, efficient, multi-disciplinary team comprised of Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and Social Care Coordinators. The team is clear in purpose which values and supports staff. We provide the next step in assessment and support planning to people who are 18 years and over and have a long-term physical disability and/or are over 65 years old.

Team Vision

To maximise the quality of life of Reading residents who have a long-term physical disability or are over 65 years of age and have care act eligible needs using a strength based and problem-solving approach.

About the role

In this role you will hold a varied caseload, supervise a number of staff and contribute to the team performance and positive outcomes for our residents. You will also support the team of duty workers offering guidance and advice on social work intervention.

This post offers opportunities to improve your skills and experience in Adult Social Care with high-quality, person-centered interventions for people that draw on care and support in their own homes.

You will work within the legal framework provided by the statute, guidance, policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent in Social Work
• Registration with Social Work England
• Excellent understanding of the Care Act 2014
• Excellent understanding of Community DOLs / Mental Capacity Act
• Understanding of Court of Protection processes

We offer excellent support, supervision and induction. You will have access to our Learning and Development programme and be supported in your career and personal growth with opportunities to learn and develop.

This role offers Agile/Hybrid Working; you will need to attend face-to-face visits within the Reading Borough.

Our values and behaviours

• Work Together as one team – work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
• Drive Efficiency – show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
• Be Ambitious – be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
• Make a Difference to Reading – maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 30 days after 5 years of service and 33 days after 10 years' service in Reading, with the option to buy additional leave
• Maternity, adoption, parental and sick pay
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Access to a range of training and learning opportunities to help you develop
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years; the monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
• Salary sacrifice scheme for Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) to help you save for your retirement

If you would like to find out more about this role and the team, please contact Pippa Durant (PDOP Team Manager) on 0118 937 3747 or email [e-mail].

Closing date: Wednesday 31st December 2025

Interview date: To be confirmed

Interview Setup: In person at the Civic Offices, Reading