At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support social work practice in Adult Social Care, enhancing quality and outcomes.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to improving lives in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days leave, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experienced social worker with a passion for continuous improvement and collaboration.
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 employer: South East Employers
Contact Detail:
South East Employers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Lead – Adult Social Care
✨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 shine, so practice answering common interview questions and think about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring along examples of your work or case studies that highlight your skills in safeguarding and risk enablement. We believe that demonstrating your practical knowledge can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. We recommend reiterating your enthusiasm for the role and how you can contribute to their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Practice Lead – Adult Social Care
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Practice Lead. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t just list your qualifications; tell us about your significant post-qualifying experience in adult social care. Share specific examples of how you've influenced practice quality or supported teams in the past.
Reflect on Your Values: As a values-driven social worker, it’s important to convey your commitment to continuous improvement and co-production. Let us know how these values have shaped your practice and decision-making.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
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 be expected to support and develop others. Prepare examples of how you've influenced practice quality or supported colleagues in their development. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life situations, especially around complex casework. Think through some scenarios beforehand and how you would approach them, focusing on your decision-making process and the outcomes.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role involves working closely with various stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully collaborated with managers, partners, and practitioners in the past. Highlighting your teamwork skills will show that you can strengthen outcomes for residents.