Advanced Social Worker - West Devon

Permanent

Full Time, 37 hours per week, but would also consider applications from part time applicants

Lead with purpose. Empower lives. Thrive in Devon. Do it for Devon.

Are you an experienced Social Worker ready to take the next step in your career, or an existing Advanced Social Worker looking for a new challenge?

We’re looking for a passionate and experienced Advanced Social Worker to join our supportive Community Team in West Devon, covering the Community Health and Social Care Teams in Ivybridge, Kingsbridge and Tavistock and the Hospital Discharge Teams.

This is an exciting opportunity to take on a key leadership role within the team, using your experience and professional expertise to influence practice, support colleagues and make a real difference to the lives of the people and communities we serve.

What you'll be doing

Based at The Byre, Yealmpton, with hybrid working options and a minimum of three days in the office, you’ll work with adults aged 17 and above, supporting people through transition and across adulthood into later life.

As an Advanced Social Worker, you’ll play a pivotal role within the team. You’ll combine complex casework with practice leadership, supporting colleagues and helping to promote consistently high standards of social work practice.

You’ll:

• Deputise for the Team Manager, supporting the effective day-to-day leadership of the team
• Chair safeguarding meetings, providing confident and informed professional leadership
• Supervise, mentor and support colleagues, encouraging reflective practice and professional development
• Manage a small but complex caseload, applying your experience and professional judgement to achieve positive outcomes
• Provide expert advice and guidance, demonstrating strong legal literacy and a thorough understanding of statutory duties and social work legislation
• Champion high-quality, person-centred practice, helping colleagues to build on strengths, navigate complexity and achieve the best possible outcomes for the people we support

This is an opportunity to lead by example, bringing your knowledge, compassion and creativity to a team where your experience will be valued and where you can have a genuine influence on practice.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who brings experience, confidence and sound professional judgement, alongside a genuine commitment to supporting others to develop.

You’ll need:
• To be a qualified and registered Social Worker with experience in adult social care
• Strong leadership, coaching and mentoring skills
• Experience and confidence in managing complex casework and safeguarding
• Strong professional judgement and the ability to provide guidance to colleagues
• A commitment to reflective, strengths-based and person-centred practice
• A commitment to upholding our organisation’s values and behaviours

Above all, you’ll be someone who is passionate about great social work practice and enjoys sharing your knowledge and experience to help others succeed.

Our offer to you

We want you to feel supported to thrive in your role and continue developing throughout your career.

• Professional development: We are committed to your continuous professional development and will support you to get the most from your career. You’ll receive regular supervision, alongside opportunities to reflect on your practice with your line manager and peers.
• Generous annual leave: 26 days' annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, rising incrementally to 31 days after five years’ service.
• Flexible working: Opportunities may include part-time hours, flexitime, compressed working hours and homeworking, subject to the needs of the role. We’d be happy to discuss this further at interview.
• Pension: Access to the generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Relocation support: If you are currently living, working or studying in the UK and are looking to relocate to Devon, you may be eligible for relocation support of up to £8,000, subject to qualifying conditions.
Please note: At this time, we are unable to consider applications from overseas candidates who are not currently residing in the UK.

Life in Devon

Why choose between a rewarding career and a great quality of life when you can have both?

With vibrant cities, welcoming towns and villages, excellent schools and universities, stunning countryside and some of the UK’s most beautiful coastline, Devon offers an exceptional place to live and work.

Whether you’re already here or considering relocating, this could be your opportunity to develop your career, make a difference and build your future in Devon.

Ready to take the next step? Do it for Devon.

For an informal discussion, please contact Anna Knight at anna.knight@devon.gov.uk or 01392 380936.

How to apply

Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in theperson specification of the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.

Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.

Please click here to see the Job Description

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.

• For details on the use of AI in applications and Devon County Council’s use of AI in Recruitment please see Use of AI in Our Recruitment Processes - Working for Devon | Devon County Council

• Happy to Talk Flexible Working- The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.

• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.

• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.

• We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required. For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

• This role requires a DBS disclosure.