Social Worker – Safeguarding Team (Adult Social Care)
Salary £35,412 to £44,075 per year (£2,000 Market Supplement available for Experienced Social Worker).
Contractual hours 37. Basis Full time. Region Permanent / Full-Time. Job category/type Adult Services, Social Services, Social Work/Care.
Reading Borough Council is looking for a skilled and motivated Social Worker to join our Adult Safeguarding Team. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a well‑led, supportive service where high‑quality safeguarding practice, reflective supervision and professional development are genuinely valued.
As a Social Worker for Reading Borough Council you will be part of a friendly and supporting service. You will demonstrate great communication skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with colleagues, young adults and health care providers.
Reading is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
Responsibilities
You will:
- Screen safeguarding concerns and undertake Section 42 enquiries
- Lead safeguarding processes, ensuring the person remains at the centre of all decision‑making
- Apply the Care Act 2014 and associated legislation confidently and proportionately
- Assess, manage and review risk, balancing protection with empowerment
- Work collaboratively with health professionals, police, housing and voluntary sector partners
- Maintain clear, high‑quality recording and professional analysis
You will be supported to make defensible, proportionate decisions through reflective supervision and access to experienced managers. Working for Reading you will have the opportunity to develop your own Continued Professional Development, either through formal training (such as Practice Educator, BIA or AMHP) and through vocational activities/informal training. We offer a flexible working environment with a mixture of home working and access to an office based in the centre of Reading.
Qualifications
- A degree or equivalent in Social Work
- Registration with Social Work England
- Understanding of the Care Act 2014 and all other legislation related to safeguarding adults practice is required.
Benefits
- Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave
- Maternity, adoption, parental and sick pay
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Access to a range of training and learning opportunities to help you develop
- On‑site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees
- Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
- Salary sacrifice scheme for Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) to help you save for your retirement
If you would like to find out more about this role and the team, please contact Karen Glaister (Safeguarding Strategic Lead) or Karen.Glaister@reading.gov.uk.
Closing date: Sunday 14th June 2026. Interview date: To be confirmed. Interview setup: In person at the Civic Offices, Reading.
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