Social Worker - Safeguarding Team (Adult Social Care) in Reading

We are looking for social workers who strive for excellence, you will have a passion for safeguarding and supporting lives that matter to residents. We are an innovative driven authority which delivers excellent safeguarding practice. The authority is well led by a committed experienced leadership team. We are looking for a motivated, talented Social Worker in Adult Social Care with experience in Safeguarding. Working as a Social Worker for Reading Borough Council you will be part of a friendly and supporting service.

We are looking for an individual who can demonstrate great communication skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with colleagues, young adults and health care providers. We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the Role

Safeguarding is pivotal in Adult Social Care and Reading Borough Council are committed to ensuring that people can live safely, free from abuse or harm. This role is varied and fast paced but also provides the opportunity for personal development and growth. It is essential that applicants have experience of working with safeguarding high standards of practice and can demonstrate understanding of the relevant legislation and how this is applied to keep people safe. Involving the person in any safeguarding activity is key and we would like to see evidence of how this has been achieved.

As part of this role you will be screening safeguarding concerns as well undertaking section 42 enquiries. As a Social Worker you will be able to also demonstrate a robust understanding of risk and of the various kinds of harm and abuse which a person might be at risk of experiencing. Working for Reading you will have the opportunity to develop your own Continued Professional Development either through formal training (such as Practice Educator, BIA or AMHP) and through vocational activities/informal training.

We offer a flexible working environment with a mixture of home working and access to an office based in the centre of Reading. You will work within the legal framework provided by the statute, guidance, policies and procedures. You will need to have a degree or equivalent in Social Work Registration with Social Work England. Understanding of the Care Act 2014 and all other legislation related to safeguarding adults practice is required.

We offer excellent support, supervision and induction. You will have access to our Learning and Development programme and be supported in your career and personal growth with opportunities to learn and develop new clinical skills, helping you to build your Continuing Professional Development portfolio, extending your skills and supporting you to grow as a social worker.

The social care teams consist of Social Workers, Social Care Coordinators and Occupational Therapists. We work closely with our colleagues in Reading Borough Council, Health Professionals, Voluntary and Charity colleagues to facilitate the best possible outcomes for those people we support.

This role offers Agile/Hybrid Working - you have the opportunity to work from home and the Civic Offices in Reading but also you will need to attend face to face visits within the Reading Borough. You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.

For more details please go to www.moretoreading.co.uk to find out more about Reading's Community & Adult Social Care Services. It's a chance to hear from the people who already work here and why they have chosen Reading as their professional destination.

Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

• Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
• Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency.
• Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
• Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance - striving to be even better - and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
• Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our offer:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave.
• Maternity, adoption, parental and sick pay.
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
• Access to a range of training and learning opportunities to help you develop.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) to help you save for your retirement.