Social Worker - Neighbourhoods Team, Mendip (Adults)

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

Benefits offered by this job

30 days leave + bank holidays

LGPS pension

Hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council in Shepton Mallet is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join the Adults Neighbourhoods Team. You will undertake strengths-based assessments, manage a varied caseload, and support adults and carers to make informed choices about their lives, working with health, housing and voluntary partners.

This permanent, full-time role supports safeguarding, independence and timely hospital discharges, with a commitment to professional judgement and community-based care.

Qualifications

• Recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Knowledge of adult social care legislation, safeguarding, risk management and strengths-based practice.
• Experience completing assessments and working collaboratively with adults, carers, professionals and partner organisations.
• Strong communication, relationship-building and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively to changing circumstances.
• Resilience, empathy and professional curiosity, alongside a creative approach to problem-solving and a commitment to continued learning and reflective practice.

Responsibilities

• Complete strengths-based assessments focusing on what matters to people and maintaining independence.
• Assess and respond to care needs, risk and safeguarding concerns, promoting rights, dignity and choice.
• Develop and review proportionate support plans with adults and carers, using community resources and reducing reliance on formal services.
• Collaborate with health, housing, voluntary organisations and partners to provide coordinated support and prevent hospital admissions.
• Maintain accurate records and produce clear, high-quality assessments, reports and recommendations.

Skills

Social Work qualification

Registration with Social Work England

Adult social care legislation

Safeguarding

Risk management

Strengths-based practice

Assessments

Collaborative working

Communication

Relationship-building

Organisational skills

Prioritisation

Resilience

Empathy

Professional curiosity

Creative problem-solving

Lifelong learning

Education

Social Work degree

Job description

Salary: Grade 10 starting at £38,510 rising annually, currently to £43,149 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Location: Shepton Mallet, Mendip

Hours: Full-time

Closing date: 27/11/2026

Transform lives, champion rights and help adults remain independent in the communities they call home.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Social Worker to join a supportive and forward-thinking service where strengths-based practice, professional judgement and meaningful relationships are at the heart of everything we do.

About The Role

Our Adults Neighbourhoods Team works alongside adults, carers, families and communities to promote independence, wellbeing and positive outcomes. We begin with what matters to each person, recognising their strengths, relationships and community connections before considering formal support.

As a Social Worker, you’ll undertake strengths-based assessments, manage a varied caseload and support adults and carers to make informed choices about their lives. Working collaboratively with health, housing, voluntary and community partners, you’ll help prevent needs from escalating, support safe and timely hospital discharges and enable people to remain safe and independent wherever possible.

This role directly supports Somerset Council’s vision of a fairer, better future, helping people live healthy, independent lives and remain connected to the relationships, networks and communities that matter to them.

How You'll Make a Difference

• Complete strengths-based assessments that focus on what matters to people, recognising their abilities, relationships and opportunities to maintain or improve their independence.
• Assess and respond to care and support needs, risk and safeguarding concerns, promoting people’s rights, dignity, choice and control.
• Develop and review proportionate support plans with adults and carers, making effective use of community resources and reducing reliance on formal services wherever appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with health professionals, housing, voluntary organisations and other partners to provide coordinated support, prevent avoidable hospital admissions and enable safe, sustainable discharges.
• Manage a varied caseload, maintain accurate records and produce clear, high-quality assessments, reports and professional recommendations.

What You'll Bring

• A recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Sound knowledge of adult social care legislation, safeguarding, risk management and strengths-based practice.
• Experience of completing assessments and working collaboratively with adults, carers, professionals and partner organisations.
• Strong communication, relationship‑building and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively to changing circumstances.
• Resilience, empathy and professional curiosity, alongside a creative approach to problem‑solving and a commitment to continued learning and reflective practice.

We’re looking for someone who shares our commitment to working as one team, striving for excellence and building belonging. You’ll listen to different perspectives, work openly with others and look for creative ways to achieve better outcomes for the people and communities we support.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we’re a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England’s most beautiful counties, it’s a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK’s most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work‑life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/

Further Information

• Somerset Council’s dynamic working arrangements will apply to this role. Due to the community‑based nature of the position, you’ll work across a combination of locations, including people’s homes, community settings and Council offices. Somerset is a large and predominantly rural county, with some areas not well served by public transport. You’ll need access to a vehicle that can be used for work purposes and the ability to travel throughout the service area.
• We welcome applications from disabled people and are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to support applicants in meeting the travel requirements of the role.
• This role requires a criminal background check through the Disclosure and Barring Service.

We may consider offering Skilled Worker visa sponsorship to suitably qualified overseas Social Workers who are already residing in the UK.

To be eligible, 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. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide resettlement support, so this opportunity is only available to candidates currently living in the UK.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Helen Readdy, Recruitment & Engagement Lead for Adult Services, via email: [e-mail]

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.

You can find a copy of the job description here: Adults Social Worker - Job Description - RP258.pdf

Req: 1261/FG