At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape community mental health services, ensuring high-quality support for residents.
- Company: Bath & North East Somerset Council, dedicated to improving lives in the community.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive pay, and a supportive environment for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusion and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on mental health services and lead with compassion.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work leadership and a passion for community care.
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve peoples lives. Based at NHS House in Bath, we are looking for a compassionate, motivated and dynamic Social Work Service Lead to take on a newly created leadership role across B&NES community mental health services, including Early Intervention, Older Adults CMHT and Recovery Team. This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping how integrated health and social care services work locally, ensuring people experience coordinated, high‑quality and legally sound support in their communities.
Main duties of the job
Employed by B&NES Local Authority and working closely with Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP), the role spans both systems and is supported by clear governance arrangements through a formal Memorandum of Understanding and strong partnership arrangement. You will join a welcoming and forward‑thinking senior leadership group, working together to strengthen integration, improve oversight and ensure that social care expertise is fully embedded alongside health leadership. The role has been created to bring greater clarity, consistency and confidence to the local authority responsibilities within the integrated teams. You will lead on strengthening governance and assurance while also streamlining core processes such as HR, budget management, quality and performance reporting, roster systems and links to clinical and professional governance. As a visible and trusted leader, you will act as a point of escalation for complex professional and statutory matters and contribute flexibly across the senior leadership team when required. A key part of the role is providing specialist professional supervision to senior social workers, supporting reflective, evidence‑based practice and maintaining strong legal literacy and professional confidence. You will lead service improvement activity, including auditing practice, identifying learning and ensuring statutory duties are met, while also supporting AWP’s transformation agenda and the development of social workers in their core professional roles within community mental health services.
About us
Bath and North East Somerset Council offers an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.
Job responsibilities
We are keen to hear from leaders who lead with compassion and credibility, enjoy working with people, and bring energy and curiosity to their practice. You will be someone who can think strategically, build trust across organisational boundaries and remain grounded in practice and values. This role will suit someone who is motivated by improving systems, strengthening professional practice and making a meaningful difference for people accessing secondary community mental health support in B&NES.
Contact
Contact Karyn Yee‑King, Head of Service Mental Health and Safeguarding Assurance on 01225 477347 or email karyn_yee-king@bathnes.gov.uk.
Interview date TBC
No agencies please.
Additional information
Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at‑risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants. Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need.
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
We are a Disability Confident Employer. The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job‑share, part‑time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs. Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.
Person Specification
Qualifications: Please refer to role specific criteria on council's job listing for this role.
Experience: Please refer to role specific criteria on council's job listing for this role.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Service Lead Social Work Practice in Bath employer: BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL
Bath & North East Somerset Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. As part of our SEND service, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people while benefiting from professional development and growth opportunities in a collaborative environment at the Keynsham Civic Centre.
Contact Details:
BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Lead Social Work Practice in Bath
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Lead Social Work Practice in Bath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
