At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support social work practice in Adult Social Care, enhancing quality and outcomes.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking local authority committed to community welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days leave, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experienced social worker with strong knowledge of safeguarding and adult care.
The predicted salary is between 47831 - 52414 € per year.
Salary: £47,831 - £52,414 per annum, plus an annual retention bonus of £3,000 subject to eligibility. Full‑time position located in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Applications close on 17 May 2026.
Role Overview
We are looking for an experienced social worker to join the Adult Social Care service as a Practice Lead. This key professional leadership role works closely with the Principal Social Worker to strengthen practice quality, support the workforce, and help shape the future of Adult Social Care in the borough.
Responsibilities
- Provide authoritative professional advice on complex casework, including safeguarding, mental capacity, risk enablement, and other statutory matters.
- Support and influence practice quality through reflective supervision, coaching, and skills‑based development.
- Contribute to quality assurance activities, audits, and service improvement initiatives.
- Support learning from safeguarding adult reviews, complaints, and assurance activity.
- Play a central role in supporting ASYE and Social Work Apprenticeship programmes.
- Hold a small, flexible caseload to maintain practice credibility and support teams during periods of pressure.
- Work collaboratively with managers, partners and practitioners to strengthen outcomes for residents.
- Contribute to CQC assurance readiness and statutory compliance.
- Use professional influence and expertise to improve the quality of social work practice across the service.
Qualifications and Experience
- An experienced, reflective and values‑driven social worker committed to continuous improvement and professional leadership.
- Recognition as a Social Worker and registration with Social Work England.
- Significant post‑qualifying experience in statutory adult social care.
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding, the Mental Capacity Act and strengths‑based practice.
- Experience supporting and developing practitioners, students or newly qualified social workers.
- Ability to influence and improve practice through coaching, reflection and collaboration.
- Clear commitment to co‑production and working alongside residents and carers.
- Practice Educator and/or Best Interests Assessor qualifications are desirable but not essential.
Benefits
- 32 days annual leave.
- Payment of Social Work England registration renewal fees.
- Free employee parking close to the offices.
- Flexible and hybrid working options.
- Generous Local Government Pension scheme with life cover (3× annual salary) and an Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC) scheme.
- Give As You Earn scheme.
- Instant Reward Scheme to recognise innovative achievement.
- Employee Assistance Programme providing counselling, advice and information.
- Access to discounts and deals with many retailers, including gym memberships and travel deals.
Equal Opportunity Statement
RBWM is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from all individuals and believe that diverse talent makes us stronger. If you have a disability, are a current or former member of the armed forces or have been part of any formal care system up to the age of 25, you will be guaranteed an interview, should you meet the minimum requirements for the role.
Practice Lead – Adult Social Care in Maidenhead employer: South East Employers
Join a forward-thinking organisation in Maidenhead, where as a Practice Lead in Adult Social Care, you will be part of a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises professional development and employee well-being. With generous benefits including 32 days of annual leave, flexible working options, and a robust pension scheme, we are committed to fostering an environment where you can thrive and make a meaningful impact on the lives of residents. Our dedication to continuous improvement and co-production ensures that your expertise will help shape the future of social care in our community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Lead – Adult Social Care in Maidenhead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social care field, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Familiarise yourself with their recent projects and challenges in adult social care. We want you to show them that you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about making a difference in the community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to safeguarding and mental capacity. We suggest doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to build your confidence and refine your answers. The more prepared you are, the better you’ll perform!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So go ahead, hit that apply button and let’s get you one step closer to that Practice Lead role!
We think you need these skills to ace Practice Lead – Adult Social Care in Maidenhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in adult social care. We want to see how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Practice Lead role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Practice Lead, you'll be influencing practice quality and supporting others. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership experience and how you've positively impacted teams or projects in the past. We love to see examples of coaching and mentoring!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly understand your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at South East Employers
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of safeguarding, the Mental Capacity Act, and strengths-based practice. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just experienced but also genuinely engaged with the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Practice Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to support and develop others. Prepare examples of how you've influenced practice quality or coached colleagues in the past. This will highlight your leadership capabilities and commitment to continuous improvement.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to face questions about complex casework and how you would handle specific situations. Think through some challenging scenarios you've encountered and be ready to explain your thought process and decision-making. This will showcase your reflective practice.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Collaboration is key in this role, so be prepared to discuss how you've worked with managers, partners, and practitioners in the past. Highlight any successful outcomes from these collaborations to demonstrate your ability to strengthen outcomes for residents.
