At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide specialist advice and support in safeguarding adults across multi-agency networks.
- Company: Join Gloucestershire County Council, a supportive and innovative workplace.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension scheme, training opportunities, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available for a balanced work-life experience.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Social work degree and SWE registration required; experience in safeguarding essential.
The predicted salary is between 41771 - 47181 £ per year.
This is a Gloucestershire County Council job.
Job Location: Gloucester
Salary: 41,771 - 47,181 per annum
Hours per Week: 37.00
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 05/08/2026
This post is not open to job share.
Are you passionate about working with people to promote independence and dedicated to making a difference? We would love to hear from you!
We have a full-time Specialist Practitioner opportunity available in our Safeguarding Adults team.
About the role:
The Specialist Practitioner role in the Safeguarding Adults team provides specialist advice and support service to front line workers across partnership organisations. Specialist Practitioners have a key role in delivering the Screening and Triage service operated by the team, which ensures consistency across the county in the way initial safeguarding assessments are carried out and decisions are made. This requires close working with an extensive multi-agency network to ensure the best possible outcome for every adult. The team also contributes to the work of the Safeguarding Adults Board, helping to ensure continuous improvement in safeguarding practice across the county.
About us:
This is a fantastic opportunity to join Gloucestershire County Council. The Safeguarding Adults team is based at Shire Hall in Gloucester, working as part of an agile working offer (which includes working from home combined with time in the office). If you join us, you can be confident of becoming part of a welcoming, supportive, passionate, innovative, and experienced team. The suitable candidate will be well supported within their role and will receive regular supervision.
About you:
We are looking for someone with an appropriate professional qualification who has experience of working effectively with safeguarding cases in a multi-agency context. Understanding of the need for a person-centred approach to safeguarding is important, as is up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and policy. Excellent communication skills, the ability to build sound working relationships with professionals across all relevant disciplines and a team-focused approach are all important attributes needed for this role. Please note that you need to have a social work degree and SWE registration (both are essential criteria).
Whats in it for you?
- 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years service, plus bank holidays
- Membership of a Local Government Pension Scheme
- Free offsite car parking
- Safe, supportive and positive working environment
- Regular formal and informal support
- Training and development opportunities
- Staff discount scheme that offers access to great savings including discounts with major supermarket chains and high street retailers
- GCC's Cycle to Work Salary Sacrifice Scheme
- Gloucestershire Salary Sacrifice Green Car Scheme (T&C's apply)
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential, counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone
- Links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) network and the Young Employees Network
Applying:
Please write your application with consideration for the essential criteria on the Job Profile. This should include examples why you should be considered; the experience, skills and knowledge that you would bring to the post.
If you would like to arrange an informal discussion with the Team Manager, please email.
The council is not currently able to offer sponsorship in this role. Candidates will need to have right to work that enables them to commit to at least 6 months employment. Right to work is not transferable from a sponsored role held with another employer.
Additional Information
This Position is subject to an Enhanced DBS check. Gloucestershire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people or vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an employer of choice, attracting and retaining excellent people to work for us, so that we can best serve all of Gloucestershire's diverse communities. Our promise to you is that we will provide an inclusive and supportive working environment that enables you to bring your whole self to work and realise your full potential.
It is a legal requirement, under the Immigration Act 2016, that anyone appointed to a customer facing role must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English.
Hybrid working arrangements are available for the majority of our roles, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice, with a mix of both remote and office working. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early due to the volume of applications received. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.
If you are an Internal applicant and consider yourself to have a disability as per the Equality Act (2010), please declare this in an email, as this is NOT currently covered in the application due to a technical error. By providing this information, you can choose to be considered for a guaranteed interview under our Disability Confident pledge if you meet all essential criteria. It also enables the recruiting manager to arrange any reasonable adjustments you may need during the process.
Applications from any Gloucestershire County Council's employees who are currently on the redeployment register or at risk of redundancy will be considered first at shortlisting stage.
Specialist Practitioner (Safeguarding), Permanent employer: Gloucestershire County Council
Gloucestershire County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees while making a meaningful impact in the community. With flexible hybrid working options and opportunities for professional growth, staff are encouraged to develop their skills in a collaborative environment dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people in care.
Contact Details:
Gloucestershire County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Practitioner (Safeguarding), Permanent
✨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 Gloucestershire County 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 Gloucestershire County 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 Gloucestershire County 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 Gloucestershire County 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 Specialist Practitioner (Safeguarding), Permanent
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 Gloucestershire County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Gloucestershire County 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 Gloucestershire County 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.
