Advanced Practitioner - Social Worker - Safeguarding (Adults)

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.What will I be doing? "Our goal is to empower and work with people to enable them to live gloriously ordinary lives where they are free from abuse and neglect. By providing the right support and resources, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those we serve. It is our responsibility to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a fulfilling and independent life." If you're passionate about making a change and advocating for others, then you'll fit right into the council's Safeguarding team. As an Advanced Practitioner Social Worker, you will provide professional leadership within the Safeguarding Adults service, ensuring high-quality social work practice across Adult Social Care. You will:

• Lead safeguarding practice across the service, ensuring a strong focus on rights, outcomes and independence
• Support adults to remain safe whilst maintaining choice, dignity and autonomy
• Deliver services grounded in Care Act principles, promoting wellbeing and reducing long-term dependency
• Work across systems to ensure joined-up responses with health, partners and communities
• Provide expert guidance and oversight on complex safeguarding and risk situations
Key Responsibilities
• Provide professional leadership and advanced practice within the Safeguarding team
• Take a lead role in complex safeguarding cases, including Section 42 enquiries and high-risk situations
• Support and develop Social Workers through reflective supervision, mentoring and case discussion
• Promote best practice in Mental Capacity Act, Court of Protection and legal frameworks
• Lead and coordinate safeguarding responses, ensuring timely and proportionate interventions
• Analyse complex information and support evidence-based decision making
• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners to improve safeguarding outcomes
• Contribute to quality assurance, audits and continuous service improvement
• Support the Service Manager with performance, development of staff and service delivery
  
  Qualified Social Worker with current registration with Social Work England
• Extensive post-qualifying experience within Adult Social Care
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and relevant legislation
• Experience of leading complex casework and supporting practitioners
• Ability to provide professional challenge, guidance and leadership
• Strong analytical skills, professional judgement and decision-making ability
• Excellent communication and partnership working across multi-agency settings
Advanced Practitioners must confidently lead decision-making, model best practice, and develop and grow the practice of others. The ideal candidate will share our values of respect, social justice, compassion, and empowerment.Supporting documents and information
• Hybrid working approach, with a balance of office and home working
• Opportunity to lead, influence and shape safeguarding practice
• Strong emphasis on learning, development and reflective supervision
• Supportive leadership and clear progression pathways
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.