Social Work Lead

Gloucestershire County Council; Cirencester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Cycle to Work

Staff discounts

EAP

Job summary

Gloucestershire County Council is seeking a Social Work Lead in Cirencester to lead a local team and supervise social workers to safeguard outcomes for local people.

The role focuses on coordinating section 42 enquiries, mentoring staff, and promoting professional practice with up-to-date knowledge of legislation, while delivering services within a supportive and accountable framework.

Qualifications

• Must have a social work qualification and SWE registration.
• ASYE completed with at least 2 years post-qualification service.
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.
• Up-to-date knowledge of legislation and demonstrable credible approaches to practice.
• Be able to prioritise using a risk-based approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead the professional development of Social Workers and other practitioners through supervision, mentoring and advice.
• Coordinate and manage Section 42 enquiries and guide practitioners through complex high-risk situations.
• Promote a culture of professional curiosity and accountability in practice.
• Deliver positive outcomes for people of Gloucestershire.

Skills

SWE registration

ASYE completed

Fast-paced work

Legislation knowledge

Risk-based prioritisation

Education

Social work qualification

Tools

Mentoring

Job description

This is a Gloucestershire County Council job.

Job Information

• Job Title: Social Work Lead
• Job Location: Cirencester
• Salary: £49,817-£53,051 per annum
• Hours per Week: 37.00
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Closing Date: 04/10/2026
• Job Requisition Number: 14870
• This post is not open to job share

About The Role

We have a full time Social Work Lead position available in our Cotswold Locality Team, based in Cirencester. To find out more about working in the Cotswolds team, visit the Meet the Teams webpage.

As a Social Work Lead, you will manage and take a lead role in the professional development of Social Workers and other practitioners through supervision, mentoring and offering advice. You will be expected to promote a culture of professional curiosity, encouraging accountability and role modelling this in your own best practice. We look to our Social Work Leads to coordinate and manage section 42 enquiries and to guide practitioners through other complex, high risk situations. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their practice experience and knowledge of legislation and be focused on delivering positive outcomes for the people of Gloucestershire.

About You

As Social Work Leads, we understand the work you do on a daily basis and provide the support you need to make a difference to the people of Gloucestershire. To join us, you must:

• Have a social work qualification and be SWE* registered
• Have completed your ASYE* programme and have at least 2 years post completion service
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment
• Have the passion to promote people’s strengths and the ability to make a difference in a safe working approach to social work practice
• Have up to date knowledge of legislation and demonstrable experience of providing credible approaches to practice.
• Be able to prioritise, using a risk based approach

About Us

Gloucestershire County Council Adult Social Care make use of the Three Conversation approach, a model that re-emphasises focus on people, their strengths and the networks and community around them.

Our Social Work Leads do all they can to make the difference to local communities in Gloucestershire. Here are some of the benefits we offer in return for your hard work.

• 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays
• Option to purchase up to 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part time employees)
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Regular formal and informal support
• Safe, supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision
• Training and development opportunities
• Clear career progression pathways, to support you in progressing professionally and personally
• Personal licences to Adults CCINFORM
• Reimbursement of professional Social Work registration fees
• Family friendly policies and benefits to help support you and your family
• Staff discount scheme that offers access to great savings including discounts with major supermarket chains and high street retailers
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential, counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) network and the Young Employees Network

We’re Closer Than You Think

We are an easy commute from many locations, view our commuting times map to see what we mean. However, we understand that commuting isn’t for everyone, so if you are in the process of relocating, why not email us to discuss opportunities further.

Eligibility and Sponsorship

The council is not currently able to offer sponsorship for this role. Candidates will need to have the right to work in the UK that enables them to commit to at least six months' employment. Right to work is not transferable from a sponsored role held with another employer.

Additional Information

To access the Job Profile for this role, please follow the link below:

Social Work Lead – Job Profile

This position is subject to an Enhanced Adults DBS with Barred List check.

Gloucestershire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people or vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We want to be an employer of choice, attracting and retaining excellent people to work for us, so that we can best serve all of Gloucestershire's diverse communities. Our promise to you is that we will provide an inclusive and supportive working environment that enables you to bring your whole self to work and realise your full potential.

It is a legal requirement, under the Immigration Act 2016, that anyone appointed to a 'customer facing role' must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early due to the volume of applications received and / or due to the needs of the service.

• a disability is defined as: a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term (more than 12 months) adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Applications from any Gloucestershire County Council's employees who are currently on the redeployment register or at risk of redundancy will be considered first at shortlisting stage.