At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults facing complex challenges with tailored, trauma-informed care.
- Company: Join Rotherham Council's dedicated Complex Lives Team making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to collaborate with diverse organisations and enhance community wellbeing.
- Why this job: Empower individuals to achieve stability and improve their quality of life.
- Qualifications: Passion for social work and experience in supporting vulnerable adults.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Job details
- Salary: £42,839 - £46,142 (Pay award pending)
- Contractual hours: 37
- Basis: Full time
- Region: Rotherham
- Job category/type: Adult Social Work
- Date posted: 11/08/2026
- Job reference: REQ23741
Job description
Directorate: Adult Care, Housing & Public Health
Temporary (12 Months), Full time 37 hours per week
The Complex Lives Team provides a holistic, person-centred and strengths-based service, focused on recovery, resettlement, empowerment and inclusion. Through a preventative and early intervention approach, the team proactively engages with adults whose lives are affected by multiple and interconnected challenges, helping to manage demand while supporting individuals to achieve sustainable change.
We are looking for a passionate and skilled Social Worker to join our dedicated and forward-thinking Complex Lives Team. The successful candidate will work with adults experiencing multiple and complex needs, delivering intensive, trauma-informed, person-centred support that promotes wellbeing, stability, independence and social inclusion.
The role involves proactively engaging with individuals whose circumstances are often characterised by a combination of factors such as homelessness or unstable housing, substance misuse, offending behaviour, mental ill health, domestic abuse, previous child sexual exploitation, social exclusion and the enduring impact of trauma.
Working alongside individuals, you will identify and build upon existing strengths, providing prompt, persistent, practical and emotional support to help overcome barriers and achieve positive outcomes.
As a Complex Lives Worker, you will play a key coordinating role, develop effective partnerships and work collaboratively with a range of statutory, voluntary and community sector organisations to ensure a joined-up and integrated response. You will support people who may struggle to engage with traditional services and whose needs often fall outside statutory eligibility thresholds.
Through creative, solution-focused and relationship-based practice, you will help individuals access the right support at the right time, help to improve their quality of life, enhance their wellbeing and work towards sustainable, long-term outcomes.
If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please contact Tara Havenhand (Team Manager) at tara.havenhand@rotherham.gov.uk.
This post involves working with adults and therefore if successful you will be required to apply for a disclosure of criminal records check at an enhanced level. Further information about the Disclosure Scheme can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check.
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview.
Complex Lives Social Worker in Rotherham employer: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its employees. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and respect, the organisation fosters a collaborative work culture where creativity thrives, offering opportunities for meaningful contributions to the community. Located in Suffolk, this role as a Graphic Designer not only allows you to engage in impactful design projects but also supports the development of young people, making it a rewarding place to work.
Contact Details:
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Complex Lives Social Worker in Rotherham
✨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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough 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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough 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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough 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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough 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 Complex Lives Social Worker in Rotherham
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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough 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 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough 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.
