Advanced Practitioner - Social Worker - Safeguarding (Countywide) (Adults) in Taunton

• Salary: £43,149 per annum, rising annually to £47,665
• Contract: Permanent
• Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week
• Location: Taunton or Yeovil (Countywide Safeguarding Service)
• Closing Date: 11th November 2026

Support people to live safely, independently and free from abuse or neglect.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Adult Social Worker looking to progress into a leadership role within Somerset's Safeguarding Adults Service.

As an Advanced Practitioner Social Worker, you'll combine advanced social work practice with professional leadership, supporting colleagues, influencing safeguarding practice and helping to achieve the best possible outcomes for adults at risk across Somerset. The role offers the opportunity to shape practice, support complex decision-making and contribute to the continued development of a service that places rights, dignity and independence at the heart of everything we do.

About the Role

Our Safeguarding Adults Service works across Somerset to ensure adults are protected from abuse and neglect whilst maintaining choice, control and independence wherever possible.

As an Advanced Practitioner, you will provide professional leadership across the service, supporting practitioners with complex safeguarding enquiries, risk management, Mental Capacity Act work and professional decision-making. Working closely with Service Managers and partner agencies, you'll help ensure safeguarding practice remains strengths-based, proportionate and person-centred.

Safeguarding in Somerset is led by social work expertise, not processes or compliance alone. Professional curiosity, critical reflection and relationship-based practice are central to how we work.

How You'll Make a Difference

• Provide professional leadership and advanced social work practice within the Safeguarding Adults Service.
• Lead and support complex safeguarding enquiries, including Section 42 activity and high-risk situations.
• Deliver reflective supervision, coaching and professional support to Social Workers and Adult Social Care Practitioners.
• Support practitioners with Mental Capacity Act, Court of Protection and legal framework decision-making.
• Champion strengths-based and person-centred safeguarding practice.
• Act as a source of expertise through mentoring, joint working and professional guidance.
• Lead professional decision-making, risk management and safeguarding case discussions.
• Support audits, quality assurance activity and continuous service improvement.
• Work collaboratively with health, police, providers and wider multi-agency partners to improve safeguarding outcomes.
• Work alongside the Service Manager to help build a high-performing and supportive safeguarding service.

What You'll Bring

• A recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Significant post-qualifying experience within Adult Social Care.
• Experience supporting practitioners with complex safeguarding and risk-related casework.
• Strong knowledge of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, safeguarding legislation and relevant legal frameworks.
• Confidence providing professional leadership, challenge and guidance to colleagues.
• Excellent analytical, risk assessment and decision-making skills.
• Experience of multi-agency partnership working across complex systems.
• A commitment to reflective practice, continuous improvement and developing others.
• Resilience, professional curiosity and the ability to balance risk, rights and proportionality in complex situations.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we're committed to helping our Social Workers thrive. You'll join a supportive organisation that values professional curiosity, innovation and continuous development.

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements where service needs allow.
• Ongoing leadership development and advanced practice opportunities.
• Dedicated learning and development support.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council: Working at Somerset Council

Further Information

• This role operates on a hybrid basis, combining office-based and home working.
• The role includes supervision of Social Workers and Adult Social Care Practitioners.
• Opportunities for progression, leadership development and advanced practice are actively supported through supervision and training.
• Please note we may consider Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for suitably qualified Social Workers who are already residing in the UK. Sponsorship will be assessed as part of the recruitment process.
• Due to the nature of the role and the geographical area covered, applicants must have full access to a vehicle that can be used for work purposes.
• We welcome applications from disabled candidates and are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments from the first point of contact.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Helen Readdy, Recruitment & Engagement Lead, via email: helen.readdy@somerset.gov.uk

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.

You can find a copy of the job description here: Advanced Practitioner Social Worker - Job Description - SCG1433

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