Advanced Practitioner Social Worker – Neighbourhoods (Adults)

About The Job

Some key information.

Transform lives, champion rights & support adults to achieve their full potential.

• Locations: (when applying, please state the area you’d like to be considered for)
  • Bridgwater
  • South Somerset – Triage Advanced Practitioner role
• Starting salary £41,771 rising annually to £46,142 (new rate following the pay award)
• Hybrid working options
• 30 days annual leave

Please Note: We may consider offering Skilled Worker visa sponsorship to suitably qualified overseas social workers who are already residing in the UK. To be eligible, applicants must hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England. Sponsorship will be assessed as part of the recruitment process. This is only available to candidates currently living in the UK, as unfortunately we are unable to provide resettlement support.

What will I be doing?

Advanced Practitioners work closely with their team, health and community colleagues to gain an in-depth understanding of community resources that can facilitate and build independence, maintaining people’s ability to remain living in their own community networks and working with a strengths-based approach.

• You will be required to work in the office base a minimum of 2 days per week, whilst the rest of your working week you can use technology to ensure team communication and support and work in a hybrid model.
• Utilising your extensive skills and experience to guide your team to support and empower the residents of Somerset to remain independent for longer in their communities.
• Tailoring solutions around the needs of residents and providing continuity of support and intervention.
• Promoting independence in everything your team does.
• Working alongside Health and Social Care colleagues (as part of the neighbourhood PCN’s).
• Liaising with key partners to facilitate improved provision of services, team training and recruitment.
• Involved in developing, shaping, and building integrated care local services.
• You will be responsible for supervising registered Social Workers and Adult Social Care Practitioners within your neighbourhood.

The Team

East neighbourhoods cover East and West Mendip, Yeovil, South Somerset West, South Somerset East and CLIC (Chard, Langport, Ilminster and Crewkerne). In Bridgwater or North Sedgemoor we have 2 neighbourhood areas. In Taunton and West Somerset we have 4 neighbourhood areas – Taunton Central, Taunton North, Taunton South and West Somerset. We are a busy but supportive team of Social Workers, Adult Social Care Practitioners and Occupational Therapists. Each neighbourhood area has a designated Advanced Practitioner and Service Manager, who you will directly report to.

Advanced Practitioners will take responsibility and have a lead role in managing contacts coming through our front door, managing risk, resources, and workflow within their neighbourhood with support from their Service Manager.

We offer regular supervision, training, and opportunities to develop your leadership and management skills and knowledge. You will work alongside Practice Development Advanced Practitioners and contribute to team development.

Opportunities for career progression will be discussed in supervision as part of your ongoing learning objectives and opportunities to progress will be explored to ensure continued professional development.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

• Be a qualified Social Worker and be registered with Social Work England.
• Have access to/use of a vehicle is an essential requirement for this role.

What's in it for me?

At Somerset Council, we work hard to attract the best staff and we want to make sure that once you are on board, you are well supported and rewarded for the work you do.

• This grade offers 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and the option to request to buy up to 2 weeks additional annual leave pro rata.
• Hybrid working
• A clear career pathway with apprenticeships, professional, leadership and academic programmes and qualifications, regular CPD opportunities and a corporate coaching and mentoring scheme.
• A new comprehensive induction programme supported by Practice Development Advanced Practitioners, plus a confidential and impartial welcome call to ensure your induction goes smoothly.
• Ongoing support & development opportunities – regular CPD events arranged and delivered by our dedicated Adult Social Care Learning and Development team, including an annual Carnival of Practice event with key speakers such as the Chief Social Worker, a team of Advanced Practitioner – Practice Development roles to support our workforce, personalised personal development plans, a corporate coaching and mentoring scheme.
• Local Government pension scheme
• Employee support networks that acknowledge and celebrate the richness of diversity and equality within our workforce.
• Guaranteed Interview Schemes – Disability Confident, Veterans, Care Leavers.
• Employee assistance and support offering a variety of wellbeing services and events to support a healthy work/life balance inc. a free online gym offer, dedicated Mental Wellbeing Ambassadors and much more!
• Relocation of up to £8,000, subject to meeting eligibility requirements.
• Access to the Blue Light Card which offers thousands of discounts online and on the high street.
• My Staff Shop which offers a variety of discounts including cinemas, shopping, restaurants, gym discounts and more!
• Discounted lease car options via salary sacrifice, along with discounts on fuel.

Anything else I should know?

Due to the nature of the role and the geographical area of the service across Somerset, which is a largely rural county, with limitations around public transport the ability to be able to travel to any location is essential. Therefore, applicants must have full access to a vehicle that can be used for work purposes.

We recognise and welcome applications from disabled individuals who may require reasonable adjustments to meet this requirement, and we’re happy to discuss this from the first point of contact with the recruitment team.

Full and part time hours can be considered depending on team and location.

This is a Grade 9 post with a current starting salary of £41,771 rising annually to £46,142 per annum. Appointments are normally made at the bottom of the salary scale.

Contact Information

Got a question about becoming an Advanced Practitioner Social Worker with Somerset Council? Give Helen Readdy, Recruitment & Engagement Officer a call on: 01823 355166 or email: Helen.Readdy@somerset.gov.uk.

Additional Information

We are a socially active council and run many webinars, events and volunteering opportunities plus, hold regular staff Q&A sessions. We encourage professional development and training to support your learning and aspirations. And there are also a variety of networking groups and activities that you can join.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve so we will always welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our teams. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early if we have received a sufficient number of applications, so don't delay, apply today!

DBS information

This post requires a criminal background check via the Disclosure procedure.