The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Job details
Job reference VAC008971 Date posted 20/10/2026 Application closing date 01/11/2026 Location City Hall College Green City Centre Bristol BS1 5TR Salary BG11-BG12: £41,177 - £47,665 Package Blank Contractual hours 37 Basis Blank Job category/type Social Care Attachments Person Specification - BG11.pdf Person Specification - BG12.pdf Job Description - BG11.pdf Job Description - BG12.pdf
Social Workers x2 - Safeguarding Adults Team
Full Time, Permanent BG11-12 (£41,177 to £47,665 pro rata), dependent on experience and qualifications. Bristol City Council Adult Social Care is recruiting two Social Workers to permanently join the Safeguarding Adults Team (SAT).
The Safeguarding Adults Team sits at the centre of Bristol’s adult safeguarding arrangements. We manage safeguarding referrals coming into Adult Social Care, including Care Act decision-making, triage, risk analysis and advice to operational teams and partners. We also lead on complex safeguarding activity, organisational safeguarding and Person in a Position of Trust (PiPoT) work.
Following recent service changes, the team has grown in responsibility and influence. We are now a specialist, city-wide safeguarding function with a strong focus on timely decision-making, proportional responses and clear risk management. This role offers a real opportunity to develop confidence, professional judgement and safeguarding expertise, while being well supported day‑to‑day.
You will join a stable, experienced and reflective team who value discussion, shared thinking and learning.
You will be supported by an experienced Senior Practitioner and the Safeguarding Adults Team Manager, with access to regular supervision, informal consultation and peer support. This is a team that understands the pressures of safeguarding work and places importance on working sustainably and thoughtfully.
The role involves:
- Triaging safeguarding referrals and applying Care Act 2014 duties.
- Analysing risk and supporting proportionate safeguarding responses.
- Providing advice and guidance to social work teams and partner agencies.
- Contributing to safeguarding strategy, learning and service development.
- Working closely with partners across health, police and provider services.
As a Social Worker in the Safeguarding Adults Team, you will work at pace, but never in isolation. You will need to balance curiosity and challenge with empathy and respect, keeping the voice, wishes and experiences of adults at risk at the centre of safeguarding activity.
You must be registered with Social Work England and hold a recognised Social Work qualification. This post is suitable for a Social Worker who already has some experience and is looking to develop their safeguarding knowledge, or for someone earlier in their career who wants to build strong foundations in adult safeguarding decision-making within a supportive specialist team.
You will be reflective, organised and comfortable working with complexity and uncertainty. You will bring good communication skills, the ability to work collaboratively, and the confidence to offer professional challenge where needed.
This is a chance to be part of a team that is shaping how adult safeguarding works across Bristol not just responding to risk, but improving systems, supporting colleagues and keeping people at the centre of what we do.
Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
Why Bristol City Council?
Vision for Adult Social Care
We are proud of our vibrant and diverse city.
Our Vision is that all of us will have the support we need to live in a place that we call home, with the people and things that we love, in communities where we all look out for one another, doing the things that matter to us.
At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.
Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.
We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.
Interviews are likely to take place week commencing 9th November 2026
For further information, please refer to the Job Descriptions and Person Specifications and team information. If you have any further questions, please contact Jessica Dodd, jessica.dodd@bristol.gov.uk or Rob Biles, rob.byles@bristol.gov.uk
Bristol City Council are not offering sponsorship for this role.
At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.
Thepersonal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.
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Social Workers x2 - Safeguarding Adults Team employer: Bristol City Council
Bristol City Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment. With a strong commitment to employee development, hybrid working options, and a comprehensive rewards package, including generous annual leave and pension benefits, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in Bristol. Join us in championing inclusive education and driving positive change within our vibrant community.
