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? As a Safeguarding Social Worker, you will lead complex safeguarding work with adults at risk, ensuring practice is rights-led, trauma-informed and grounded in strong professional judgement. You will work directly with adults, families, carers and advocates, using your professional voice to analyse risk, promote autonomy and protection, and achieve meaningful outcomes. This role allows you to practise confident, relational safeguarding rather than process-driven responses, supporting adults to be heard and protected. The post offers rich exposure to complex safeguarding, self-neglect and legal decision-making, helping you build 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., 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.
Supporting documents and 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.

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.
• Applications are welcomed from Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) as well as experienced practitioners., 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.