Social Care Practitioner - First Contact Team

Wokingham Borough Council; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Wokingham Borough Council seeks a compassionate Social Care Practitioner for a fixed-term contract. Responsibilities include providing tailored support to individuals to maximize their independence while ensuring safety in the community. The role offers an excellent salary range along with numerous benefits, providing a fulfilling opportunity to contribute positively to individuals' lives.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Local government pension scheme

Employee assistance programme

Discounts on local services

Onsite gym access

Salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Competent IT skills and ability to learn social care recording systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills needed.
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals and their carers using a strength-based approach.
• Identify and implement prevention plans for long-term care.
• Complete assessments and create support plans per the policy.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

IT Skills

Pressure Management

Cultural Awareness

Job description

Social Care Practitioner - First Contact Team

Employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Salary: £27,711 - £30,060 Per Annum, Plus Benefits
Location: Shute End, Wokingham
Contract: Contract
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week.
DBS Check: Enhanced
Closing Date: 10/08/2025 at 23:00
Reference: 713126

We have an excellent opportunity available for a Social Care Practitioner to join our dynamic Adult Social Care team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a Full-Time, 12-month fixed term contract.

As a Social Care Practitioner, you will work under the supervision of a registered practitioner to undertake direct work with individuals and their carers. You will use a strength-based approach to maximise individual’s abilities to live independently as possible and remain safe in their community.

We are dedicated to providing exceptional care and supporting individuals in need, ensuring they lead fulfilling and independent lives. Part of this role will include supporting carers to continue in their caring role for as long as they are willing and able to do so.

We are currently seeking a compassionate, dedicated and proactive Social Care Practitioner to join us.

Benefits:

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

A generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 days after 5 years continued local government service, plus Bank Holidays

An excellent local government pension scheme

An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline

A range of local & lifestyle discounts

Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)

Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes

And much more!

Key responsibilities:

• To work with customers and their carer’s using a strength-based approach to provide tailored advice information and signposting to help them remain as independent as possible and live safely in the community.

• To identify and implement appropriate prevention plans that will avoid, reduce, or delay the need for formal long-term care.

• To accept referrals for adult social care, complete assessments, create and implement support plans in line with legislation, statutory guidance, local policy and procedure and as necessary.

• To identify and raise safeguarding concerns as required and contribute to development and implementation of protection plans which maintain the individual’s safety within the multi-agency safeguarding adults’ procedures.

• To work in a person-centred way, ensuring that individual dignity is maintained, cultural and communication needs are addressed, and choices and aspirations are acknowledged. To provide or arrange advocacy as required ensuring that the voices of service users are heard, and application of positive risk-taking framework as required.

Candidate requirements:

• Competent level of IT skills and ability to learn and use adult social care recording system

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills – including ability to engage with individuals with a diverse range of communication needs

• Ability to work under pressure and maintain professional composure

• Ability to relate to individuals from a diverse range of social, economic, and cultural backgrounds

• Awareness of the impact of ill health, disability, social disadvantage, and poverty has on and individuals’ wellbeing

• Awareness of the impact of caring has on carers and their choice and control and wellbeing

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

If you’re interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today!

Or for an informal discussion, please contactLaura Gordon, Team Manager - [e-mail]

Closing Date: 10th August 2025, 11pm

Interview Date: TBC

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Whilst this is a fixed term contract appointment, for anyone already employed by Wokingham Borough Council this would be classed as a secondment if successful. Therefore, the usual permission requests for secondments apply and you must speak to your line manager in the first instance before applying.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.

How to apply

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

Further information on this vacancy

• Job Description