Social Worker – Safeguarding (Adults)

Role Purpose

An experienced social worker will lead complex safeguarding work with adults at risk, ensuring practice is rights‑led, trauma‑informed and grounded in strong professional judgement. The role involves working directly with adults, families, carers and advocates to analyse risk, promote autonomy and protection, and achieve meaningful outcomes. It offers exposure to complex safeguarding, self‑neglect and legal decision‑making, supporting the development of advanced skills and professional confidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Section 42 safeguarding enquiries under the Care Act 2014 from initial decision through to outcome.
• Work face‑to‑face with adults at risk, families, carers and advocates, keeping lived experience, rights and outcomes central to practice.
• Chair and contribute to multi‑agency safeguarding meetings, driving purposeful and proportionate safeguarding plans.
• Apply the Mental Capacity Act and associated legal frameworks in complex situations where risk, autonomy and protection intersect.
• Analyse risk and evidence, challenging appropriately both within the organisation and across partner agencies.
• Produce clear, analytical and defensible recording, demonstrating professional reasoning and ethical decision‑making.
• Contribute to a culture of learning, reflection and safeguarding improvement.

What We’re Looking For – Essential Skills & Experience

We’re looking for social workers who want to develop their safeguarding expertise and influence practice. You will have:

• A recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Interest in or experience of safeguarding adults, including complex risk and self‑neglect.
• Confidence to analyse information, exercise professional judgement and challenge where required.
• Commitment to trauma‑informed, strengths‑based and rights‑led practice.
• Ability to work collaboratively across agencies while maintaining a clear social work perspective.

About The Team / Service

You’ll join a Safeguarding Adults service that is evolving and ambitious. Safeguarding in Somerset is led by social work expertise, not tick‑box processes. The Safeguarding Adults Board is independently chaired by Professor Michael Preston‑Shoot, reflecting a strong focus on learning, reflection and system improvement. This is a service where practitioners are developed, not just managed, and where professional curiosity is encouraged.

Additional Information

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.

Support, Learning & Progression

You’ll be supported through:

• A supportive and experienced safeguarding team.
• Leadership from safeguarding managers, a dedicated Practice Development Advanced Practitioner and the Principal Social Worker.
• Targeted learning opportunities, including self‑neglect and hoarding.
• Personal development plans aligned to your professional aspirations.
• Reflective supervision that strengthens confidence, judgement and leadership capability.

Caseload & Wellbeing

• Typical full‑time caseload: around 15 adults, depending on complexity.
• High expectations balanced with realistic workloads and protected wellbeing.
• No culture of routine unpaid overtime.

Visa Sponsorship

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 and is only available to candidates currently living in the UK; we are unable to provide resettlement support.

Vehicle Requirement

Due to the nature of the role and the geographical area of the service across Somerset, which is largely rural with limited public transport, the ability to travel to any location is essential. Applicants must have full access to a vehicle that can be used for work purposes.

Person Specification

Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of Social Care practice as defined by Social Work England Guidelines, appropriate legislation and issues relevant to client group.
• Ability to speak fluent English.
• Understanding of social care resources and provision available beyond statutory agencies.
• Awareness of government guidance and legislative changes across a broad range of Social Service issues.
• Relevant multi‑disciplinary Social Care experience within a multi‑disciplinary team relevant to the needs of the post.
• Evidence of partnership working with other agencies including Social Care Services, Health Services, Voluntary Agencies and/or Education.
• A variety of experiences working with relevant client group including Learning Disabilities.
• Supervisory experience.
• Previous experience of working with health professionals.
• Possession of recognised Social Work Qualification – Degree in Social Work (BA), a master’s degree in social work, or equivalent.
• Registration with Social Work England.
• Demonstrates empathy, sensitivity, self‑awareness and acceptance of others.
• Able to prioritise workload, work with competing deadlines and organise time effectively.
• Self‑reliant and resilient – able to respond positively to difficult situations.
• Willingness to embrace organisational change.
• Access to / use of a vehicle is an essential requirement.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Social Care practice as defined by Social Work England Guidelines, appropriate legislation and issues relevant to client group.
• Ability to speak fluent English.
• Understanding of social care resources and provision available beyond statutory agencies.
• Awareness of government guidance and legislative changes across a broad range of Social Service issues.
• Relevant multi‑disciplinary Social Care experience within a multi‑disciplinary team relevant to the needs of the post.
• Evidence of partnership working with other agencies including Social Care Services, Health Services, Voluntary Agencies and/or Education.
• A variety of experiences working with relevant client group including Learning Disabilities.
• Supervisory experience.
• Previous experience of working with health professionals.
• Possession of recognised Social Work Qualification – Degree in Social Work (BA), a master’s degree in social work, or equivalent.
• Registration with Social Work England.
• Demonstrates empathy, sensitivity, self‑awareness and acceptance of others.
• Able to prioritise workload, work with competing deadlines and organise time effectively.
• Self‑reliant and resilient – able to respond positively to difficult situations.
• Willingness to embrace organisational change.
• Access to / use of a vehicle is an essential requirement.

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