At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor social workers while managing complex cases for adults.
- Company: Join Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council's supportive Adults & Health department.
- Benefits: Professional development, work-life balance, and a chance to shape practice standards.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of adults and their families.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in adult care and safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 32177 - 39327 £ per year.
- Terms and Conditions: 2 x Full time roles, 37 hours, Permanent
- Department: Adults & Health
- Interview Date: 2nd December 2026
We encourage candidates to complete their application using their own words and experiences.
While AI tools may be used for support, applications should accurately reflect your individual skills, knowledge, and suitability for the role.
Advanced Practitioner (Social Work) x 2
Location
Duke St, Blackburn
Team
West and North/East Team
About the Role
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is an exciting place to work.
Our Adults & Health department have a proud record of achievement in supporting adults and communities within our borough.
We do this by promoting independence, health, wellbeing and through safeguarding from harm.
We are seeking to appoint two highly skilled and experienced Advanced Practitioners to join our Integrated Neighbourhood Teams.
This is an exciting opportunity for accomplished social workers who are passionate about delivering outstanding practice, supporting colleagues, and providing leadership within a dynamic service.
The successful candidates will work with adults from the age of
17 through to older adulthood, including individuals requiring palliative and end-of-life care support .
They will provide professional leadership across the team, support the Team Manager in the operational management of the service, and deputise in the Team Manager's absence.
Alongside leadership responsibilities, the role requires practitioners who can confidently manage and oversee complex cases, lead safeguarding activity, and promote high standards of practice that achieve positive outcomes for adults, carers, and their families.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Team Manager in the day-to-day operational management of the team and deputise in their absence.
- Provide professional leadership, mentoring, coaching, and practice guidance to social workers and other team members.
- Manage a complex caseload involving adults with multiple and often competing needs, risks, and vulnerabilities.
- Work with individuals from the age of 17 through to adulthood, including those requiring palliative and end-of-life care support.
- Lead on complex safeguarding enquiries and provide expert advice on safeguarding adults practice.
- Chair and lead safeguarding strategy meetings, multi-agency discussions, case reviews where required and progress safeguarding enquiries
- Support effective risk assessment, decision-making, and proportionate intervention planning.
- Promote strengths-based practice and person-centred approaches.
- Support the learning and development of colleagues through reflective practice, mentoring, and case consultation.
- Contribute to quality assurance, service improvement activities, and the promotion of best practice across the service.
- Develop and maintain strong multi-agency partnerships to ensure coordinated and effective support for adults and carers.
About You
You will be a qualified and registered Social Worker with significant post-qualifying experience within Adult Social Care and a proven ability to lead complex practice.
You will possess
- Extensive experience working with adults from transition age (17+) through to end-of-life services.
- Significant experience managing complex and high-risk cases.
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy, and practice.
- Experience of leading Section 42 safeguarding enquiries and multi-agency safeguarding processes.
- Experience chairing and leading safeguarding strategy meetings and complex professional discussions.
- Excellent leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills.
- The ability to support, challenge, and develop colleagues to achieve high standards of practice.
- Strong decision-making, analytical, and risk management skills.
- Excellent communication and partnership-working abilities.
- A commitment to promoting independence, wellbeing, and positive outcomes for adults and their carers.
What We Offer
- A supportive and experienced leadership team.
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- Regular supervision and reflective practice.
- A commitment to staff wellbeing and work-life balance.
- The opportunity to influence and shape practice within a high-performing Adult Social Care service.
Why Join Us?
This role is ideal for experienced social workers who are ready to take the next step in their career, combining leadership responsibilities with advanced practice.
You will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on practice standards, support colleagues to grow and develop, and help deliver excellent outcomes for adults and their families across the lifespan, including those with the most complex needs.
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Team Manager Karen Duckworth or Amanda Harrison on 01254 585957.
Advanced Practitioner Social Worker in Blackburn employer: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Blackburn With Darwen Borough Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and community impact. As part of our legal team, you will have the opportunity to lead and mentor while working on vital social care and education matters, all within a forward-thinking local authority committed to making a difference in people's lives.
Contact Details:
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner Social Worker in Blackburn
✨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 Blackburn with Darwen Borough 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 Blackburn with Darwen Borough 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 Blackburn with Darwen Borough 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 Blackburn with Darwen Borough 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 Advanced Practitioner Social Worker in Blackburn
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 Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Blackburn with Darwen Borough 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 Blackburn with Darwen Borough 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.
