Social Worker (9356)

Norfolk County Council; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Norwich seeks a dedicated Social Worker to join its Mental Health Social Care Team. This role involves conducting assessments, managing safeguarding enquiries, and working with vulnerable adults facing mental health challenges. The ideal candidate will show expertise in relevant legislation and possess strong interpersonal skills. Benefits include competitive pay, a £2000 welcome payment, and opportunities for hybrid working. Join us in making a positive impact on our community while developing your career in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Health and Wellbeing services

Flexible working opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience with the Care Act 2014 and relevant safeguarding protocols.
• Advanced interviewing skills in sensitive situations.
• Ability to conduct assessments and manage case documentation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments and reviews under the Care Act 2014.
• Manage safeguarding enquiries and assessments.
• Work with vulnerable adults and conduct Mental Capacity Assessments.

Skills

Legal and Policy Knowledge

Risk Assessment and Management

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Analytical and Critical Thinking

Recording and Report Writing

Partnership and Multi‑agency Working

Person‑Centred Practice

Education

Registered with Social Work England

Job description

Social Worker | 9356 | Fixed Term Contract for 18 Months | 37 hours per week | Hellesdon Hospital, Norwich

Level 1: £37,280 to £39,152 per annum (Scale I)

Level 2: £39,862 to £41,771 per annum (Scale J)

We offer a £2000 welcome payment for qualified and experienced Social Workers/Occupational Therapists (grade J and above), Practice Consultants and Team Managers new to Norfolk County Council. Amount to be repaid in full should they leave within two years of employment.

For experienced Social Workers new to Norfolk County Council we promise to try and match or better your existing salary, providing its in the spectrum of the grade advertised.

Who Cares? We do.

The Norfolk County Council, Norwich locality Mental Health Social Care Team works with adults who have mental health needs, specifically working‑age adults (18–65), including those with chronic mental health conditions and dual diagnoses. Most of our client group are vulnerable adults within the meaning of the Equality Act, and we offer support while balancing their individual autonomy and rights with our duty to intervene in line with best practice guidance. We are responsible for completing assessments and reviews under the Care Act 2014 and implementing packages of care and support. We are also tasked with conducting and completing Safeguarding Enquiries and Assessments under Section 42 of the Care Act.

Social Workers are involved in Mental Capacity Assessments (MCAs), Best Interest Assessments/Meetings, Social Circumstances Reports (SCRs), and attend meetings such as Mental Health Tribunals (MHT), Multi‑Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC), and Multi‑Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). Additionally, they share legal responsibility with the Integrated Care Board (ICB/NSFT) for reviewing and arranging aftercare services for individuals subject to Section 117 of the Mental Health Act (MHA). We also work with and support adults who are subject to Community Treatment Orders (CTOs) in the community.

Qualifications

• Legal and Policy Knowledge
• In‑depth understanding of the Care Act 2014, especially Sections 42–46.
• Familiarity with Care and Support Statutory Guidance (Chapters 14 & 15).
• Awareness of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, Human Rights Act 1998, Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007), and Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
• Knowledge of Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) principles.
• Understanding of local safeguarding procedures, multi‑agency policies, and information‑sharing protocols.
• Risk Assessment and Management
• Skilled in conducting proportionate, evidence‑based risk assessments.
• Ability to balance risk, autonomy, and protection using a strengths‑based approach.
• Competence in creating and reviewing safeguarding plans that manage ongoing or residual risks.
• Capacity to work within defensible decision‑making frameworks and document rationale clearly.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Advanced interviewing and engagement skills with adults, carers, and families—particularly in sensitive, distressing, or traumatic situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals who have communication difficulties, learning disabilities, or mental health needs.
• Strong advocacy and negotiation skills to ensure the adult’s voice is central.
• Competence in multi‑agency communication, including convening and chairing strategy or review meetings.
• Analytical and Critical Thinking
• Ability to analyse complex information from multiple sources.
• Use of professional curiosity to explore inconsistencies or disguised compliance.
• Competence in applying thresholds and determining whether s42(1) criteria are met.
• Confidence in evaluating evidence, distinguishing fact from opinion, and drawing defensible conclusions.
• Recording and Report Writing
• Clear, concise, and factual recording of safeguarding enquiries and outcomes.
• Ability to write chronologies, enquiry summaries, and decision records that withstand scrutiny.
• Skilled in producing professional reports for multi‑agency meetings, legal proceedings, and case audits.
• Partnership and Multi‑agency Working
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with health, police, housing, providers, and advocacy services.
• Confidence to challenge agencies constructively when responses are inadequate.
• Understanding of roles and responsibilities within the safeguarding partnership.
• Person‑Centred and Outcome‑Focused Practice
• Commitment to Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) and ensuring

What we offer

At Norfolk County Council we are committed to our employees’ learning and development. We offer all Social Workers and Occupational Therapists a protected half day per month for continuing professional development and training.

We want our people to be inspired and motivated to work well together, make the most of our workspaces, enjoy a healthy work‑life balance, and deliver excellent services to Norfolk and its people. Flexibility is built into the way we work, with hybrid working a key feature for many roles. Our technology platform and equipment are first class, enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We ask that you have in place good Broadband connectivity.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

You can also find out about the rewards and benefits we offer as well as our other terms and conditions.

Norwich is the county capital of Norfolk, 120 miles from London and 60 miles from Cambridge. It's on the edge of the Broads National Park, and a 40‑minute drive to the seaside. Norwich is a superb city. It effortlessly mixes outstanding heritage through the ages with modern shopping centres, excellent restaurants, hundreds of cafés and pubs, a superb arts and theatre scene with huge parks and green spaces, canoeing, rowing and sailing.

By train, Norwich to London takes 90 minutes and Cambridge less than an hour. There are also direct train links to the Midlands. Norwich International Airport has regular flights to Schiphol, Amsterdam and from there on to the rest of the world, plus daily internal flights to Scotland, Manchester, Exeter and Dublin.

Rachel Clark, Head of Integrated Care for the Norwich locality, said: "Norwich offers a warm welcome. We cover a comparatively small geographical area but we are a large and supportive team, with depth and breadth of experience in all areas of social care. Norwich Locality is committed to its residents and recognises the importance of collaborative and innovative work with our partner agencies. Based at County Hall we benefit from having access to a modern office environment, while promoting a flexible working culture, including hybrid working. Our management team are committed to continuous professional development and this is evident in regular Reflective Meetings, supervisions and monthly workshops. As a big team there are opportunities for team members to pursue particular areas of interest; we have AMHPs and BIAs along with staff who focus on particular areas of practice such as self‑neglect. We also encourage progression and have a number of APs who are currently on Norfolk SW Apprenticeship schemes and managers who have been promoted from within the Department."

Your application

Please ensure you include a statement in your application to demonstrate why you feel you meet the person specification and job description for this post. CVs submitted without a supporting statement about this post will not be accepted. You need to be registered with Social Work England as a practising social worker.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Health and Wellbeing services including fast‑track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
• Flexible working opportunities including flexi‑time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependent on your job role and business need.
• Financial benefits such as:
• ‘Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
• A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
• Relocation expenses (where applicable)
• An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
• Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions
• Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
• Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra‑low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
• A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

Additional Information

Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job description and person specification to help you demonstrate how you meet the criteria. You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here.

Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for all internal and external vacancies via myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.

We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position.

Redeployment closing date: 9 December 2025 23:59

All other applicants closing date: 16 December 2025 23:59