- Directorate BHCC: Homes and Adult Social Care
- Contract Fixed Term
- Closing Date Apply by 4 January 2026
Location
Hove Town Hall
Job Summary
Job reference
- Positions available 1
Working hours
- Working hours 37
- Closing date 4 January 2026
Job category
- Job category Social Work - Adults
Organisation
- Organisation Brighton & Hove City Council
Job introduction
We are looking for a motivated and committed Senior Social Worker to join our Hospital Discharge and Response Team (DART).
Brighton and Hove is a vibrant and exciting place to live and work and an opportunity has arisen to join our high performing team. It is a friendly and supportive team but also a fast paced place to work with a need to perform in a flexible and autonomous manner, working closely in a fully integrated health and social care service to support our service users, health colleagues and facilitate safe timely discharges across several sites in the city.
Please do not apply if you are not a qualified Social Worker and registered with Social Work England. Unfortunately, if you are not qualified and registered, your application will not be read.
For an informal discussion, please contact Marcus Brooks - (General Manager) on 07825862557
Fixed term/Secondment until: 9th October 2026
Contracts will be offered as fixed term to external candidates and maybe offered as secondments to internal candidates.
Internal candidates - before applying, please ensure you have read the Secondment policy to ensure you are eligible to apply. In accordance with the policy, please ensure you have the written approval of your line manager before applying. Evidence of this must be included with your application.
About the role
The DART team is based over several sites in the city and as the role will involve direct supervision and support of staff across the sites, flexible working is necessary and can offer variety and autonomy to the Senior role.
We are looking for someone with strong leadership skills, relevant experience supporting often complex short term casework, someone who has high professional standards, a commitment to supervision and who is keen to continue their professional development. An excellent knowledge of current legislation such as the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and Safeguarding Procedures is essential.
You will need experience of undertaking Safeguarding enquiries and will be expected to both undertake and supervise these, and be able to manage complex and crisis situations using professional judgement, leading practice and promoting a range of interventions including strengths based practice. You will need experience of Mental Capacity assessments and Best Interests decision making.
As a team we are committed to professional development and you will supervise and support colleagues, including ASYE, student Social Workers, and experienced staff. You will receive regular supervision and support and have opportunities for ongoing development and specialist training.
Please read our Apply for a job at the council pages carefully. They give you all the guidance you need to complete your application as well as information on what will happen after you’ve submitted your application and at interview.
As part of your application, you will need to upload your Application Form and a supporting statement. Your supporting statement is the most important part of your application as it will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our guidance here (Application Form guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) and (Supporting statement guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process.
Additional information
Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only.
We are a workplace that supports flexibility and employee wellbeing in the way we work whilst providing the best service for our customers. Team and service working arrangements are designed to support both employee work life balance and team collaboration. These would be part of your individual working arrangements alongside any personal preference agreed with your manager in advance of joining. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team and travel to and from your contractual location would be at your own expense.
For more information about our values and the benefits of working at the council, visit Why work for us
Company information
Encouraging a diverse workforce
Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it\'s what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, male or trans.
Please note that this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check.
Contact Details:
Brighton & Hove City Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker in Brighton
✨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 Brighton & Hove City 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 Brighton & Hove City 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 Brighton & Hove City 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 Brighton & Hove City Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 Brighton & Hove City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Brighton & Hove City 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 Brighton & Hove City 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.
