At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults with mental health needs and promote recovery in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, a forward-thinking council dedicated to social care.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse backgrounds; guaranteed interview for eligible candidates.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in mental health social work.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and registration with Social Work England required.
The predicted salary is between 40192 - 44012 ÂŁ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Social Worker to join our Mental Wellbeing Service! This is a full‑time, permanent role with hybrid working, and a salary of £40,192 - £44,012 per annum, with a £3,000 annual retention bonus subject to eligibility. We also have a full‑time, fixed term role of up to 12 months covering maternity leave available.
About Us
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) is located within the wider county of Berkshire. The Borough Council, a unitary authority, takes pride in its exceptional team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about delivering high‑quality, rights‑based social care. RBWM is a unique borough, offering significant opportunity due to its proximity to London, expanding business sectors, and its role as a major cultural and tourism destination, including internationally recognised attractions such as Windsor Castle, Legoland, and Ascot Racecourse. With strong partnerships across health and social care, including our Mental Health Trust, this is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic Social Worker who wishes to practise specialist mental health social work within a supportive and forward‑thinking service.
Why Now?
It’s a great time to join RBWM. We’ve started our transformation journey—Living Well Together—a vision shaped by staff that’s about helping residents live well and enabling our teams to work well together in a connected, compassionate, and forward‑thinking environment. We’re investing in new roles, new technology, and enhanced learning and development to support our teams and improve outcomes. The latest staff survey shows:
- 92% of colleagues feel their work is meaningful
- 87% say their line manager demonstrates the council’s values
The Role
As a Mental Health Social Worker, you will play a vital statutory role in supporting adults with mental health needs, promoting recovery, safeguarding rights and reducing inequalities. You will work with people in their own homes, hospital settings, and supported care environments, contributing to integrated pathways across primary and secondary mental health services. Following the successful implementation of an innovative social care transformation programme, we are continuing to develop a modern, confident Mental Wellbeing Service that places mental health expertise, legal literacy, and person‑centred practice at its core. This is a great time to join a specialist mental health social work team that values professional identity, reflective practice, and high‑quality statutory intervention.
Your role will involve:
- Delivering statutory mental health social work in line with the Care Act 2014, Mental Health Act, and Mental Capacity Act.
- Supporting adults accessing primary and secondary mental health services.
- Completing Care Act assessments, Section 117 aftercare, reviews, and safeguarding enquiries.
- Undertaking strengths‑based, recovery‑focused assessments and support planning.
- Working confidently with complex mental health presentations, risk, and vulnerability.
- Applying legal frameworks to protect rights and support best‑interest decision‑making.
- Building strong professional relationships with people with lived experience of mental health needs, carers and families, Mental Health Trust colleagues, statutory and community partners.
- Advocating for people’s rights, voices and wishes, particularly during times of crisis.
- Contributing to a service culture that values learning, reflection, and continuous improvement.
What we are looking for:
- Relevant Qualification & Registration: Degree in Social Work and registration with Social Work England.
- Assessment & Care Planning Skills: Ability to carry out strengths‑based assessments and develop person‑centred care plans.
- Safeguarding Knowledge: Strong understanding of adult safeguarding procedures and legislation (e.g., Care Act 2014).
- Communication & Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with individuals, families and multi‑agency teams.
- Resilience & Professionalism: Capacity to manage complex cases, maintain professional boundaries, and adapt to changing demands.
ASYE Social Workers with an interest in developing their mental health practice are also encouraged to apply.
What we offer:
- 32 days annual leave.
- Payment of Social Work England registration renewal fees.
- Free employee parking close to the offices.
- Flexible working including a hybrid working pattern for a better work‑life balance.
- Generous Local Government Pension scheme includes life cover (3 times the annual salary) and an Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC) scheme to enhance your pension provision.
- Give As You Earn scheme.
- Instant Reward Scheme to recognise and reward innovative achievement.
- Employee Assistance Programme providing counselling, advice and information.
- Access to discounts and deals with hundreds of retailers, including discounted gym memberships and travel deals.
RBWM values a collaborative and inclusive working environment, recognising the importance of diverse perspectives in delivering high‑quality mental health social work. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you have a disability, are a current or former member of the armed forces or have been part of a formal care system up to the age of 25, you will be guaranteed an interview, provided you meet the minimum criteria for the role.
Interview date: 3rd June 2026
If you wish to discuss this position informally, please contact Suzanne Michael, Service Team Manager – Mental Wellbeing Service, at Suzanne.Michael@rbwm.gov.uk
Social Worker (Mental Wellbeing Service) in Thatcham employer: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
Contact Detail:
The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker (Mental Wellbeing Service) in Thatcham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at RBWM on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. Personal connections can give you an edge!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for situational questions! Think of examples from your past work where you've demonstrated your skills in mental health social work. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for mental wellbeing! During the interview, express why you’re excited about working with RBWM and how you align with their vision of 'Living Well Together'. Authentic enthusiasm can really make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team culture, ongoing training, and the transformation journey at RBWM. This shows you're genuinely interested and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker (Mental Wellbeing Service) in Thatcham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Social Worker in our Mental Wellbeing Service. We want to see how you can contribute to our vision of helping residents live well!
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for mental health social work shine through! Share any relevant experiences or projects that demonstrate your commitment to supporting individuals with mental health needs. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely passionate about making a difference.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate applications that are easy to read and get straight to the heart of what makes you a great 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 RBWM. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the Care Act 2014, Mental Health Act, and Mental Capacity Act. Being able to discuss these frameworks confidently will show that you understand the legal aspects of the role and can apply them in practice.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work where you've successfully supported individuals with mental health needs. Highlight your strengths-based assessments and how you've contributed to recovery-focused care plans.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Skills
Be ready to discuss how you've worked with multi-agency teams in the past. Emphasise your communication skills and how you've built strong relationships with clients, families, and colleagues to advocate for individuals' rights.
✨Reflect on Professional Growth
Think about your journey as a social worker and be prepared to talk about how you've developed your practice. Discuss any challenges you've faced and how you've adapted, showing your resilience and commitment to continuous improvement.