Somerset Council
Advanced Practitioner - Social Worker - Learning Disabilities (Adults)
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Lead practice. Influence outcomes. Support adults with learning disabilities live their best lives.
If you're an experienced Social Worker looking for the next step in your career, this is an exciting opportunity to combine hands-on practice with leadership, supervision and service improvement within our dedicated Learning Disabilities Service.
Working as part of a supportive and experienced team, you'll use your expertise to tackle complex situations, champion high-quality social work practice and help develop the next generation of practitioners. You'll be empowered to make decisions, influence professional standards and drive positive outcomes for adults, families and carers across Somerset.
Starting salary: £43,149 rising annually, currently up to £47,665
Contract: Permanent
Location: Mendip
Hours: 37 hours per week
Closing date: 9th November 2026
About the Role
You'll join our welcoming and experienced Learning Disabilities Service, working alongside Social Workers, Adult Social Care Practitioners, Occupational Therapists, health colleagues and partner agencies to support adults with learning disabilities to live independently, remain connected to their communities and achieve the outcomes that matter most to them.
As an Advanced Practitioner Social Worker, you'll play a key role in leading professional practice across the service. Alongside managing complex work and safeguarding activity, you'll provide supervision, coaching and support to colleagues, helping to build a confident, resilient and high-performing workforce.
How You'll Make a Difference
- Provide professional leadership, guidance and support to Social Workers, helping ensure safe, effective and strengths-based practice.
- Take a lead role in complex and high-risk cases, offering advanced decision-making, problem-solving and professional expertise.
- Champion safeguarding practice and support colleagues with legal interventions, risk management and Court of Protection work where required.
- Supervise, coach and mentor practitioners, supporting professional development and maintaining high standards of practice.
- Lead and contribute to service improvement, quality assurance and performance activities that improve outcomes for adults, carers and families.
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What You'll Bring
- A recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
- Significant post-qualifying experience within Adult Social Care, including supporting complex casework and risk management.
- Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Care Act, safeguarding responsibilities and strengths-based practice.
- Experience of supervising, coaching or mentoring colleagues and supporting professional development.
- Excellent analytical, decision-making and communication skills, with the confidence to provide constructive challenge and professional leadership.
Why Join Us?
At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.
- 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 to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
- Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
- Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.
Find out more about working at Somerset Council: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/
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Further Information
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.
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.
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.
If you currently work for Somerset Council, please apply via the internal SuccessFactors careers page.
For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Helen Readdy, Recruitment & Engagement Lead, via email: Helen.Readdy@somerset.gov.uk
You can find a copy of the job description here: Advanced Practitioner Social Worker - Job Description - SCG1433
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! Ref: 1493/FG
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