Advanced Practitioner Social Worker

Terms and Conditions: 2 x Full time roles, 37 hours, Permanent
Department: Adults & Health
Interview Date: 2nd December 2026

We encourage candidates to complete their application using their own words and experiences. While AI tools may be used for support, applications should accurately reflect your individual skills, knowledge, and suitability for the role.

Advanced Practitioner (Social Work) x 2

Location: Duke St, Blackburn
Team: West and North/East Team

About the Role

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is an exciting place to work. Our Adults & Health department have a proud record of achievement in supporting adults and communities within our borough. We do this by promoting independence, health, wellbeing and through safeguarding from harm.

We are seeking to appoint two highly skilled and experienced Advanced Practitioners to join our Integrated Neighbourhood Teams. This is an exciting opportunity for accomplished social workers who are passionate about delivering outstanding practice, supporting colleagues, and providing leadership within a dynamic service.

The successful candidates will work with adults from the age of 17 through to older adulthood, including individuals requiring palliative and end-of-life care support. They will provide professional leadership across the team, support the Team Manager in the operational management of the service, and deputise in the Team Manager's absence.

Alongside leadership responsibilities, the role requires practitioners who can confidently manage and oversee complex cases, lead safeguarding activity, and promote high standards of practice that achieve positive outcomes for adults, carers, and their families.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Team Manager in the day-to-day operational management of the team and deputise in their absence.
• Provide professional leadership, mentoring, coaching, and practice guidance to social workers and other team members.
• Manage a complex caseload involving adults with multiple and often competing needs, risks, and vulnerabilities.
• Work with individuals from the age of 17 through to adulthood, including those requiring palliative and end-of-life care support.
• Lead on complex safeguarding enquiries and provide expert advice on safeguarding adults practice.
• Chair and lead safeguarding strategy meetings, multi-agency discussions, case reviews where required and progress safeguarding enquiries
• Support effective risk assessment, decision-making, and proportionate intervention planning.
• Promote strengths-based practice and person-centred approaches.
• Support the learning and development of colleagues through reflective practice, mentoring, and case consultation.
• Contribute to quality assurance, service improvement activities, and the promotion of best practice across the service.
• Develop and maintain strong multi-agency partnerships to ensure coordinated and effective support for adults and carers.

About You

You will be a qualified and registered Social Worker with significant post-qualifying experience within Adult Social Care and a proven ability to lead complex practice.

You will possess:

• Extensive experience working with adults from transition age (17+) through to end-of-life services.
• Significant experience managing complex and high-risk cases.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy, and practice.
• Experience of leading Section 42 safeguarding enquiries and multi-agency safeguarding processes.
• Experience chairing and leading safeguarding strategy meetings and complex professional discussions.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills.
• The ability to support, challenge, and develop colleagues to achieve high standards of practice.
• Strong decision-making, analytical, and risk management skills.
• Excellent communication and partnership-working abilities.
• A commitment to promoting independence, wellbeing, and positive outcomes for adults and their carers.

What We Offer

• A supportive and experienced leadership team.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Regular supervision and reflective practice.
• A commitment to staff wellbeing and work-life balance.
• The opportunity to influence and shape practice within a high-performing Adult Social Care service.

Why Join Us?

This role is ideal for experienced social workers who are ready to take the next step in their career, combining leadership responsibilities with advanced practice. You will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on practice standards, support colleagues to grow and develop, and help deliver excellent outcomes for adults and their families across the lifespan, including those with the most complex needs.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Team Manager Karen Duckworth or Amanda Harrison on 01254 585957.