Senior Social Worker (Adult Social Care) - West Team in Wokingham

We’re excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a qualified Senior Social Worker to join our dedicated Adult Social Care Team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full-time, permanent basis. As a Senior Social Worker in our West Team, you will play a vital role in guiding, supporting, supervising, and line‑managing social care professionals, ensuring high standards of quality and performance are consistently maintained.

Working within the relevant legal framework, policies and guidance, this key role focuses on carrying out assessments and reviews, while planning support with individuals and their carers. You’ll focus on maximising individual strengths and abilities, supporting people to make informed choices, and enabling carers to continue in their caring roles for as long as they choose and are able. This role involves working directly with adults with a wide range of needs, including older adults, people with physical disabilities, individuals affected by alcohol or substance misuse or hoarding, as well as carers who are seeking advice, support and guidance. You will have the ability to carry out safeguarding enquiries when there are concerns or allegations of abuse or neglect involving adults with care and support needs. The goal is to promote well‑being, independence, and safety, while empowering people to identify their own needs and the outcomes they wish to achieve.

• Work to the requirements of the Care Act 2014 to assess and review complex needs, offering advice, guidance and access to support services with a focus on health, safety and wellbeing.
• Use and promote a strengths‑based approach, building respectful working relationships with adults and carers.
• Carry out and support risk assessments, creating risk management plans that balance safety with independence and positive risk‑taking.
• Work in line with statutory duties and Council policies and procedures.
• Identify and respond to concerns about abuse or neglect, make safeguarding enquiries and develop safeguarding plans.
• Act as SAM for enquiries led by less experienced staff.
• Chair meetings and case conferences, including professionals’ meetings and MDTs.

• Professional degree level Social Work qualification or equivalent.
• Current registration to professional governing body (Social Work England).
• Minimum of 3 years (including ASYE) post qualification experience in Adult Social Care or Health Care environment.
• Good working knowledge of the statutory framework for the relevant care group and of an appropriate range of professional interventions.
• Demonstrable ability to lead, motivate, supervise and performance manage staff.

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 31 days (rising to 36 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays.
• An excellent local government pension scheme.
• An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline.
• A range of local & lifestyle discounts.
• Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office).
• Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes.
• And much more!

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

For an informal chat, please contact Emma Fox, Team Manager – emma.fox@wokingham.gov.uk

Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form. If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks. Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.