Social Worker

Somerset Council; Taunton; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Health and wellbeing support

Professional development

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking an experienced Hospital Social Worker to join the Hospital Interface Service at Musgrove Park Hospital. You will support adults and carers across the hospital journey, from admission avoidance to discharge planning, working alongside health colleagues in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.

The role emphasises strengths-based assessment, risk management, and timely decision-making, with a focus on enabling people to live independently and return home where

Qualifications

• Recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Knowledge of adult social care practice and relevant legislation.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and partners.
• Ability to prioritise competing demands and maintain high-quality records.
• Willingness to travel as regular travel is required.

Responsibilities

• Undertake strengths-based assessments of risk, independence, care and support needs, ensuring adults are protected from significant harm.
• Manage a varied caseload and respond to referrals, crises and changing circumstances with sound professional judgement.
• Work alongside health colleagues and partner agencies to support admission avoidance, hospital stays and safe, timely discharge planning.
• Complete carers’ assessments, care and support planning, reviews, reports and accurate case records in line with legislation and policy.
• Build effective relationships with adults, carers, families, health teams, housing, police, voluntary organisations and other partners.
• Contribute to multi-agency decision-making, team learning, service development and ongoing professional improvement.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Decision making

Organisational skills

Vehicle access

Education

Social Work qualification

Registered with Social Work England

Job description

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Salary: Starting at £38,510 rising annually to £43,149 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week

Hospital social work offers purpose, pace, professional challenge and the opportunity to make a difference when it matters most. Working at the heart of the hospital environment, you will support people and families during some of the most important moments of their lives.

About the Role

The Hospital Interface Service (HIS) supports people throughout their hospital journey, from admission avoidance and assessment through to discharge planning and recovery. You will work onsite at Musgrove Park Hospital alongside health colleagues, helping adults and carers make informed choices, maintain independence and achieve safe, timely outcomes.

This specialist area of practice brings together professional curiosity, strengths-based assessment, complex decision-making and close multidisciplinary working.

Hospital social work is fast-paced, visible and professionally demanding. You will balance risk, rights, independence and timely decision-making, often while supporting people and families at pivotal moments. At the heart of our approach is hopeful social work, challenging pessimism and focusing on strengths, possibilities and what matters to the person. We continually ask one key question:

“Why not home?”

You will be joining HIS at an important point in its development, with the opportunity to contribute your experience and ideas as we strengthen the service and improve clarity, consistency and connection.

How You'll Make a Difference

• Undertake strengths-based assessments of risk, independence, care and support needs, ensuring adults are protected from significant harm.
• Manage a varied caseload and respond to referrals, crises and changing circumstances with sound professional judgement.
• Work alongside health colleagues and partner agencies to support admission avoidance, hospital stays and safe, timely discharge planning.
• Complete carers’ assessments, care and support planning, reviews, reports and accurate case records in line with legislation and policy.
• Build effective relationships with adults, carers, families, health teams, housing, police, voluntary organisations and other partners.
• Contribute to multi-agency decision-making, team learning, service development and ongoing professional improvement.

What You'll Bring

• A recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Knowledge and understanding of adult social care practice, relevant legislation and the issues affecting adults and carers.
• Relevant multidisciplinary social care experience and evidence of effective partnership working with other agencies.
• The ability to prioritise competing demands, make defensible decisions and maintain high-quality, timely records.
• Empathy, sensitivity, resilience and the ability to respond positively in a fast-paced environment.
• Access to and use of a vehicle, as regular travel is an essential requirement of the role.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we are a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. This role offers meaningful work, close multidisciplinary collaboration and the chance to develop your hospital social work practice while helping people return safely to the lives that matter most to them.

• 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Ongoing learning, professional development, coaching and career support.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference inside and outside of work.
• The opportunity to contribute to the continued development and improvement of HIS.
• This is a hospital-based role and you will be expected to work onsite at Musgrove Park Hospital.
• The role includes rotational Saturday working, typically one Saturday every 4 to 6 weeks, although this may vary according to service need and staffing levels.
• Regular travel across Somerset may be required, including to locations not well served by public transport.
• Applicants must have access to a vehicle for work purposes. We welcome conversations about reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants.
• This role requires a criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We may consider Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for suitably qualified overseas social workers who are already residing in the UK. Applicants must hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England. Sponsorship will be assessed as part of the recruitment process. We are unable to recruit directly from overseas or provide resettlement support.

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.