Social Care Practitioner - Sensory Needs Service

Wokingham Jobs; Gravesend; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Excellent local government pension

Employee assistance programme (24/7)

Local & lifestyle discounts

Onsite gym

Cycle to work scheme

Monthly supervision

Job summary

Wokingham Borough Council is seeking a Social Care Practitioner for the Sensory Needs Service within Adult Social Care. The role is full-time and permanent, focusing on enabling adults with sensory needs to live independently and safely in their communities.

You will work with a social worker/occupational therapist and contribute to development pathways up to Grade 6. Applicants should be prepared to undertake Level 5 Deafblind Training or ROVI training after probation.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates a strong value base, respectful and inclusive attitude.
• Good IT skills and ability to use adult social care recording systems.
• Engages effectively with people with different communication needs, including verbal and non-verbal cues.
• Works inclusively, building positive relationships across diverse backgrounds.
• Understands how health, disability or other situations affect wellbeing.
• Experience in health or social care or a people-facing role is desirable.
• Willing and able to complete Level 5 Deafblind Training or ROVI training after probation.

Responsibilities

• Work with people to identify what matters to them.
• Carry out strengths-based assessments and reviews of daily living and support arrangements.
• Gather information from individuals, carers, professionals and advocates when needed.
• Write reports and maintain accurate records.
• Build positive relationships with residents and support diverse communication needs.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues as part of a team.

Skills

Strong value base

Good IT skills

Verbal & non-verbal communication

Inclusive practice

Understanding wellbeing impacts

Experience in health or social care

Willing to undertake Deafblind RO VI/5

Job description

Social Care Practitioner - Sensory Needs Service

We have an exciting opportunity for a Social Care Practitioner to join our friendly and supportive Adult SocialCareat Wokingham Borough Council. This is a full-time, permanent role. The role sits within our Sensory Needs Service.

In this role, you will support adults to live the lives they choose, remain safe, and live well in their communities. You’ll focus on what individuals can do, not just what support they need whilst getting to know the people you work with and what matters most to them. You will work with support and supervision from a social worker / Occupational Therapist.

Adult Social Care helps people who need extra support to stay healthy, connected to their communities, and able to live fulfilling lives.

This role offers a clear development pathway, with the opportunity to progress to Grade 6 once you have met the required progression criteria.

Essential training requirement for this role

Following successful completion of the probationary period, the postholder must undertake and successfully complete either Level 5 Deafblind Training or Rehabilitation Officer for Visual Impairment (ROVI) training. This training is essential to enable the postholder to support adults with sensory needs effectively within the Sensory Needs Service. Applicants must be willing and able to complete one of these training routes; those unable or unwilling to do so will not be considered for the post.

You’ll be joining an award-winning council and a service that was rated among the top-performing adult social care services in the country following our recent CQC inspection.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to Social Care Future, a movement that aims to make sure everyone, regardless of age, health condition or disability, can live in a home they choose, maintain the relationships and activities that matter to them, and be part of a supportive community.

Benefits

• 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)
• Cycle to work schemes
• Monthly Supervision
• And much more!

What you’ll be doing

• Working with people to find out what is important to them
• Carrying out strengths-based assessments and reviews of people’s day to day lives and their support arrangements.
• Gathering information and feedback from individuals, carers, professionals and advocates where needed.
• Writing reports and keeping accurate records.
• Building positive relationships with residents and supporting a wide range of communication needs.
• Working closely with colleagues as part of a team.

About you

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a strong value base; is respectful, trustworthy and who embraces diversity
• Has good IT skills and can learn how to use our adult social care recording systems.
• Can engage effectively with people who have different communication needs, and who understands verbal an non-verbal communication
• Works in an inclusive way, building positive relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Understands how a person’s situation, physical or mental health or disability, can affect a person’s wellbeing.
• Has experience working in health or social care, or in a people -facing role.
• Willing and able to successfully undertake and complete Level 5 Deafblind Training or Rehabilitation Officer for Visual Impairment (ROVI) training following probation period

About Wokingham Borough

Wokingham Borough is in the heart of Berkshire, with excellent transport links to Reading and London. The area includes a historic market town, attractive villages and beautiful countryside.

We have a strong local economy, excellent schools, a range of international businesses and a thriving community. Residents benefit from excellent public services, low crime levels and a high quality of life.

As a Marmot Borough, we are committed to reducing inequalities and focusing on prevention and early intervention in everything we do. This is particularly important as our borough continues to grow and become more diverse.

Closing date: 11th October 2026, 11pm

Interview date: TBC

AI in Applications

We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.

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.

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.

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.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.