Are you a passionate, forward‑thinking Social Work professional who loves developing others, driving best practice, and shaping the future of adult social care? If so, this is a great opportunity to play a leading role in strengthening social work practice across Wakefield.
We’re looking for a Social Work Professional DevelopmentLead to champion high‑quality practice, support continuous learning, and influence real service improvement for the people of Wakefield.
Why join us?
This is a unique chance to take on a highly influential role where your expertise will directly improve outcomes for adults, carers and families across our district. You’ll be part of a supportive, ambitious directorate committed to learning, innovation and the “Wakefield Way” of flexible, hybrid working.
You’ll work alongside senior leaders, social work teams, universities, and the Leeds & Wakefield Social Work Teaching Partnership to help shape the next generation of social workers — as well as continually developing our existing workforce.
What you’ll be doing
As our Professional Development Lead, you will:
- Drive the implementation and embedding of our Quality Assurance Practice Framework.
- Lead the development of audit tools, learning interventions, workshops and masterclasses to grow practice excellence.
- Oversee and analyse quality assurance activity, turning insights into meaningful improvement.
- Work closely with the Principal Social Worker to set and promote practice standards.
- Lead the Social Work Professional Development Team, including supervision of the Learning & Development Advisor.
- Support the delivery of exceptional ASYE programmes, student placements, apprenticeships and practice education.
- Represent Wakefield in internal and external ASYE moderation, progression panels and teaching partnership activity.
- Write high‑quality reports to influence senior leadership and strategic decision making.
- Build strong partnerships that promote a culture of collaboration, learning and continuous improvement
What you’ll bring
We’re looking for someone who is:
- A qualified and registered Social Worker with significant post‑qualifying experience in adult social care.
- Skilled at leading, supervising or mentoring practitioners, students or NQSWs.
- Confident analysing data and writing clear, meaningful reports.
- Knowledgeable about adult social care legislation, governance, practice frameworks, KSS and PCF.
- A strong communicator who can influence at all levels and inspire confidence across services.
- Passionate about learning, development and delivering excellent practice across our workforce.
Practice Educator experience (Stage 1 or 2), ASYE assessor experience, and management qualifications are highly valued.
What we offer
- A supportive, forward‑thinking environment where your ideas will drive meaningful change.
- Opportunities to shape workforce development at a strategic level.
- Hybrid working with flexibility where it matters.
- Continuous professional development and training.
- The chance to influence practice and outcomes across a major local authority.
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