Senior Social worker or Social Worker in Leeds

We have exciting opportunities for Social Workers and Senior Social Workers to join our Transitions Service. You will play a vital role in supporting people to live meaningful lives, achieve their goals and have a voice in decisions about their care and support. As a Social Worker, you will manage a varied and rewarding caseload, working with individuals, families, carers and partner agencies to assess needs, manage risk, develop strengths-based support plans and promote positive outcomes.

You will undertake a range of statutory duties, including safeguarding enquiries, Mental Capacity Act assessments, care and support planning, and reviews. As a Senior Social Worker, alongside managing complex work, you will provide practice leadership and support the development of others through mentoring, coaching, practice education and assessment. You will play an important role in promoting high-quality practice and supporting continuous learning within the team.

Our social workers are part of a strong multi‑agency network across Leeds, working closely with health colleagues, providers and community organisations to deliver person‑centred support. We value professional curiosity, reflective practice and collaborative working, recognising that the best outcomes are achieved when people, families and professionals work together. You will be supported by experienced Team Managers, Senior Social Workers, Advanced Practitioners and Safeguarding and Risk Managers who are committed to creating a positive learning culture.

We strive to provide the right balance of support and challenge, with clear opportunities for development and progression throughout your career. Above all, this is an opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of adults with learning disabilities while developing your own skills, knowledge and professional journey within a supportive and ambitious service.

Our Better Lives Strategy sets out our ambition for improving lives in Leeds. We want people with care and support needs to be able to do the things that matter to them and live in a good home within a caring community. It’s about more than social care; it’s a council‑wide initiative so that services will work together to make a real difference to individuals and their communities.

About You

• Degree or equivalent in Social Work
• Registered with Social Work England
• Have an interest in working with young people transitioning from Children’s services to Adult’s services.
• An enthusiasm to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• For Senior Social Worker, you should also be Practice Educator Level 2 or equivalent, or be willing to undertake this on appointment (funded by us).

You will bring to the role Social Worker:

• A minimum of two years' post-qualifying social work experience.
• Successful completion of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme.
• Knowledge and understanding of current social work practice (children’s and/or adults) and the role of multidisciplinary working, including statutory, voluntary and community organisations.
• Skills in assessment, care planning, intervention and evaluation to support young people to achieve positive outcomes.
• Experience of adopting a person‑centred approach, using creativity in problem solving and applying reflective practice to support professional development.
• The ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, partner agencies, individuals, families and carers.
• Experience of chairing meetings, coordinating multi‑agency working and representing the Council in a range of professional settings.

In addition to the above, Senior Social Workers will bring:

• The ability to lead, motivate, mentor and supervise others to deliver high‑quality social work practice.
• A commitment to the ongoing professional development of both themselves and others.
• The confidence to provide practice leadership, support decision‑making and promote continuous improvement across the service.

What We Offer You

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six‑month probationary period. This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Purpose

With the support and guidance of the Team Manager, you will provide a high-quality, strengths‑based social work service to young people, their families and carers. Working within statutory frameworks, organisational policies and professional standards, you will assess needs, manage risk, promote wellbeing and support individuals to achieve positive outcomes and greater independence.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied and often complex caseload of adults with learning disabilities, undertaking assessments, support planning, reviews and risk management in accordance with relevant legislation, policy and procedures.
• Work collaboratively with young people, families, carers and partner agencies to identify strengths, needs and desired outcomes, promoting choice, independence and wellbeing.
• Undertake person‑centred Care Act assessments and develop, implement and review care and support plans that reflect assessed needs and available resources.
• Safeguard young adults at risk by undertaking enquiries, assessing and managing risk, and working within local and national safeguarding procedures.
• Work alongside Children’s Services to safeguard children under 18.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and professionals across health, Children’s social care, Adult’s Social Care, housing, education, advocacy and voluntary sector organisations to deliver coordinated support.
• Provide direct intervention, advice and support to young people, families and carers, helping them to make informed decisions and access appropriate services and community resources.