social workers

West Northants Council; Northampton; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

West Northamptonshire Council’s Adult Social Care service is seeking a qualified Social Worker to deliver person-centred support for adults and their families. You will manage complex cases, assess needs, plan interventions and safeguard vulnerable adults with professional judgement.

You’ll work within a dynamic team, building strong partnerships across health, housing and the community to promote independence and better outcomes.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Substantial experience in Adult Social Care.
• Commitment to person-centred practice and safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex and varied adult social care caseloads.
• Build trusting relationships with service users, families and partners.
• Apply strengths-based and person-centred approaches to practice.
• Collaborate with health, housing, community organisations and voluntary sector.
• Promote independence, wellbeing and meaningful outcomes for adults and carers.

Skills

Adult social care experience

Assessment & decision making

Proactive problem solving

Strengths-based practice

Partnership building

Communication & curiosity

Education

Social worker registered with Social Work England

Job description

\"The best social work happens when experienced practitioners are trusted to do what they do best.\" At West Northamptonshire Council, we're creating an environment where social workers can focus on meaningful practice, build strong relationships and use their expertise to achieve better outcomes for adults and their families. West Northamptonshire Council's Adult Social Care service has undergone significant change since becoming a unitary authority in 2021, creating opportunities to deliver more responsive, strengths based services that are rooted in local communities. Our focus is simple: helping people achieve the outcomes that matter most to them while promoting independence, wellbeing and choice. As a Social Worker, you'll join a service that values professional expertise and recognises the difference experienced practitioners make. You'll have the opportunity to work with adults presenting with a wide range of needs, applying your skills to complex situations, building meaningful relationships and delivering person centred support that has a lasting impact. We're looking for social workers who want to be part of a service that is continually developing, where professional judgement is trusted, collaboration is encouraged, and good practice is recognised and valued. This is an opportunity to bring your experience, shape outcomes, and be part of a team where your contribution genuinely matters. Working pattern 9am to 5pm with flexible and part time options available. Please note: A driving licence and access to your own transport is required.

You’ll be a qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England, with substantial experience within Adult Social Care and a strong commitment to delivering high quality, person centred practice. You’ll bring confidence in managing complex cases and competing priorities, along with the ability to build trusting relationships and make sound professional decisions in challenging situations. You’ll be passionate about promoting independence, safeguarding vulnerable adults and achieving meaningful outcomes through strengths based practice. We’re particularly interested in hearing from experienced practitioners who are looking for a role where they can use their expertise, influence positive change and continue developing their careers. We’re looking for individuals who:

• Have significant experience managing complex and varied adult social care caseloads
• Demonstrate strong assessment, analysis and decision making skills
• Take a proactive, solution focused approach to achieving positive outcomes
• Are confident applying strengths based and person centred approaches to practice
• Thrive in a dynamic environment and adapt positively to changing demands
• Build effective partnerships across health, housing, community organisations and the voluntary sector
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills, professional curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning

It would be great (but not essential) if you also have, or are working towards, additional qualifications or areas of expertise such as:

• Best Interests Assessor (BIA)
• Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)
• Practice Educator

Above all, you’ll be a committed and resilient practitioner who wants to make a genuine difference, while being part of a service that values your experience, supports your development and trusts your professional judgement.

At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like‑minded people. Our vision is 'to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive'. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services. We are committed to ensuring diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion is woven into the fabric of WNC and everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and maximize their full potential. We are a disability confident employer, a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and a Care Leaver Covenant partner.

The following film was created by us to communicate our intentions - watch WNC colleagues explain. If you need additional support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, including needing the job description in another format or language, please email for support. Please note we reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so we recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. West Northants Council, where careers thrive.