Senior Social Worker
About The Role
“What if your social work expertise could improve not just one person’s journey, but the quality of practice across an entire organisation?”
At West Northamptonshire Council, we’re looking for an experienced Social Worker who is passionate about professional practice, continuous improvement and making a lasting impact. This is a unique opportunity to join our Practice Development Team and help shape the future of Adult Social Care across West Northamptonshire.
This role offers a unique career pathway for experienced Social Workers looking to broaden their impact beyond frontline practice. You’ll have the opportunity to influence how services develop, support workforce learning, contribute to strategic improvement work and help shape the future direction of Adult Social Care.
As part of the Practice Development Team, you will play a key role in ensuring high standards of practice across Adult Social Care. Unlike traditional senior practitioner roles, this position does not involve carrying a caseload or managing staff. Instead, you’ll use your experience, professional judgement and knowledge of Adult Social Care to influence practice, identify learning opportunities and drive service improvement across the organisation.
As one of two Senior Social Workers in this specialist area, you will work closely with the Principal Social Worker, operational teams and partner agencies to strengthen quality assurance processes, support workforce development and help ensure services are responsive, effective and aligned with statutory and regulatory requirements.
Working Pattern
9am to 5pm with flexible and part‑time options available. Hybrid working.
Your Work Will Include
- Leading and delivering quality assurance activity, including audits, thematic reviews and service deep dives.
- Analysing practice, performance information and feedback to identify strengths, risks, patterns and opportunities for improvement.
- Identifying learning from audits, safeguarding activity, reviews and wider quality assurance work, translating this into meaningful improvement activity.
- Developing guidance, learning resources, practice tools and briefings that support high‑quality and consistent social work practice.
- Delivering presentations, learning events and training sessions for Adult Social Care staff and partner agencies.
- Facilitating reflective practice sessions, learning forums and quality assurance discussions across services.
- Supporting services to respond to Care Quality Commission expectations, legislation and professional standards.
- Working collaboratively with colleagues, partners and Experts by Experience to ensure improvement activity is informed by lived experience.
- Providing constructive challenge, professional support and evidence‑based recommendations that help strengthen practice and improve outcomes.
About You
You will be a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England and bring significant experience within Adult Social Care.
You will be an independent and confident practitioner who is passionate about high‑quality social work and improving services for adults. You may already have experience of audit, quality assurance, workforce development or service improvement activity, or you may be an experienced practitioner ready to use your skills in a broader, organisation‑wide role.
We’re Looking For Someone Who
- Has strong knowledge of Adult Social Care legislation, safeguarding responsibilities and professional standards.
- Can analyse complex information, identify themes and translate learning into practical improvements.
- Doesn’t wait to be told what needs improving; you’re naturally inquisitive, enjoy exploring issues in greater depth and can identify themes, risks and opportunities that others may not immediately see.
- Communicates effectively and can influence others through constructive challenge and professional credibility.
- Is confident delivering presentations, facilitating discussions and sharing knowledge with others.
- Enjoys working autonomously, taking initiative and driving work forward independently.
- Has strong analytical, organisational and problem‑solving skills.
- Is committed to continuous learning, practice development and achieving the best possible outcomes for adults.
- Can build positive relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders at all levels.
Additional Information
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and requires an enhanced DBS certificate. It is a regulated activity and will be subject to a Children and Adults Barred List check.
West Northamptonshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you need additional support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, including needing the job description in another format or language, please email careers@westnorthants.gov.uk for support.
Salary and Job Details
Salary: £42,861 – £46,304 per annum.Working hours: 37 hours per week.Contract: Permanent full‑time.Location: Northampton, United Kingdom.Closing date: 10 August 2026.Job reference: Ref/162342/8883.
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