Safeguarding Practitioner in Wokingham

We have an excellent opportunity available for a Safeguarding Practitioner to join our award-winning adult social care team at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full-time, permanent basis. As a Safeguarding Practitioner, you’ll play a vital role in making sure adults in our borough get the right help at the right time. You’ll work proactively and respond quickly when concerns are raised, helping people stay safe and supporting positive outcomes for everyone involved. This is a chance to use your skills, safeguarding expertise and person-centred approach to make a real difference in the lives of adults who need support.

Our service was recently recognised as one of the highest performing in the country after a CQC inspection. Wokingham Borough Council is part of the Social Care Future movement, which champions a vision where everyone can live in a place they love, connected to the people and activities that matter most — whatever their age, health or disability. Our hybrid working model gives you the flexibility to balance home working with in-person meetings and visits.

Here is what Rebecca, our Team Manager, has to say: I am proud to be part of the adult safeguarding hub. We are a supportive and collaborative team committed to high-quality safeguarding practice. We value learning, reflection and kindness, and we welcome applicants who want to work in a team where support and making a difference truly matter.

You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

• Generous Annual Leave entitlement of 30 days (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• GP Helpline
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free Onsite Gym
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – including Car and Cycle to Work
• Local & Lifestyle Discounts
• Move through Menopause Course
• Sports & Social Group Activities
• Learning & Development Opportunities
• Employee Networks
• And more!

Key responsibilities:

• Respond to Adult Safeguarding concerns as they come in, applying thresholds, assessing risk and completing Initial Assessments where needed.
• Lead Section 42 enquiries, coordinating those carried out by providers or partners, and undertaking more complex enquiries yourself when required.
• Support quality assurance work, including provider visits and assurance activity linked to safeguarding concerns.
• Take part in organisational abuse enquiries and contribute to wider learning and improvement.
• Work proactively and preventatively, including supporting partnership projects in line with local and West of Berkshire strategies.
• Help deliver safeguarding training and workshops, appropriate to your experience and knowledge.

Candidate requirements:

• Social Work, Nursing or Occupational Therapy qualification or other profession/statutory agency role providing significant experience of working with vulnerable adults in a safeguarding context.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to effectively engage all stakeholders.
• Evidenced experience of direct work with Adult Safeguarding issues.
• Organisational skills to enable proactiveness and a responsive service.
• Ability to handle highly sensitive information with a sound understanding of confidentiality and information sharing protocols.
• Full EU driving license (and access to daily use of a car).

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of 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.

Wokingham Borough Council has committed to becoming a Marmot borough to embed prevention, early intervention and address inequalities in all aspects of our work. This is especially important given the significant and continued growth of our Borough and the diversity of its residents.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer. Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. 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.