At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable adults and their carers, ensuring safety and independence.
- Company: Join Southwark's Intermediate Care Service, dedicated to making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, home options, and a local government pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative team that values professional growth and social impact.
- Qualifications: Experience with older people or adults with disabilities is essential.
- Other info: Part-time role with a supportive culture and guaranteed interview scheme for eligible candidates.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Job Description
The Role
Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same?
Can you use your experience to support vulnerable adults and their carers, helping them to stay safe and independent?
Does working in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team appeal to you?
If yes, we have the perfect role for you!
Our Intermediate Care Service (ICS) is looking for a passionate and dedicated Assistant Practitioner (Social Work) to join our Reablement Team and help make a real difference every day.
About the Role:
This is a part-time role, working two days one week and three days the next, supporting the team’s duty function. You will:
- Respond to residents’ concerns, carry out risk assessments and ensure issues are directed to the right person quickly.
- Undertake reviews and support planning to promote independence and positive outcomes.
- Complete carers’ assessments and provide advice and signposting to residents and carers.
- Assist with safeguarding work and contribute to crisis management under professional supervision.
- Work closely with health professionals, external agencies, and our multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality adult social care.
About You:
We are looking for someone who is:
- Experienced in working with older people and/or adults with disabilities.
- Confident in undertaking strength-based social care assessments.
- Able to manage competing demands and remain calm under pressure.
- Skilled in building professional and respectful relationships with residents, carers, and partner agencies.
- Committed to safeguarding vulnerable adults and promoting independence, including the use of assistive technology.
About the Team:
You will work alongside one other Assistant Practitioner, Customer Support Officers, and a Deputy Team Manager. We have a strong culture of collaboration and professional growth, providing support and learning opportunities to help you develop your skills and career. At Southwark, you will be encouraged to try new approaches, supported to maximise your potential, and given access to a wide range of training and professional development opportunities.
For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.
Contact Information:
If you would like to discuss this role, please contact Alex Woods, Team Manager, Intermediate Care Southwark at .uk
Additional Information:
- This is a part-time role
- The working pattern would be 2 days one week and then 3 days the following week.
- This post requires a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) DBS check at Enhanced level.
Benefits and more information:
In your role, we want you to feel supported, challenged and rewarded. You will benefit from our family-friendly policies including flexible working, home working, and a local government pension scheme, plus many other staff benefits. You will join a motivated, driven and supportive team that strives for excellence and values its members. You will also be part of a successful and high-achieving development team that is making a real difference to the lives of residents in the borough. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Staff Benefits page.
Recruitment timetable
Advert close date: 11:59pm on 24th August 2025
Shortlisting date/s: 26th August 2025
Interview date/s: 2nd September 2025
The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme:
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together programme. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Attachments
- OPPD AP Job description and Person Spec.pdf
Assistant Practitioner Social Work employer: Southwark Council
Contact Detail:
Southwark Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Practitioner Social Work
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the principles of strength-based social care assessments. Understanding this approach will help you demonstrate your ability to promote independence and positive outcomes for residents during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of social work, especially those who have experience working with older adults or individuals with disabilities. This can provide you with valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed competing demands or handled crisis situations. This will showcase your ability to remain calm under pressure, a key requirement for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the Intermediate Care Service (ICS) and its collaborative approach. Being knowledgeable about their values and how they operate will allow you to align your answers with their mission during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Practitioner Social Work
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Assistant Practitioner role. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences that align with the duties mentioned.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your experience working with vulnerable adults or in social care settings. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in risk assessments, safeguarding, and building relationships with residents and carers.
Showcase Your Skills: Mention your ability to manage competing demands and remain calm under pressure. Provide examples of how you've successfully navigated challenging situations in previous roles.
Personalise Your Application: Address your application to the hiring manager, Alex Woods, if possible. Include a brief introduction about why you are passionate about this role and how you can contribute to the team’s goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southwark Council
✨Show Your Passion for Social Work
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for working with vulnerable adults and their carers. Share specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your commitment to promoting independence and safeguarding.
✨Demonstrate Your Assessment Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in conducting strength-based social care assessments. You might be asked to provide a scenario where you successfully managed competing demands while ensuring the needs of residents were met.
✨Highlight Team Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with a multi-disciplinary team, emphasise your ability to collaborate effectively. Share instances where you worked alongside health professionals or external agencies to achieve positive outcomes.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in crisis management and safeguarding situations. Think of examples where you had to respond quickly to a resident's concern and how you directed issues to the right person efficiently.