Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO)
Job Description
Salary: £44,253 - £46,579 per annum
Hours per week: 37 hours
Interview date: Week commencing the 12th of October
We're looking for an experienced Level 4 Social Worker to become Wiltshire's Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO), a unique specialist role at the heart of SEND reform and the Families First Partnership Programme.
This is a non-case holding position offering the opportunity to use your social work expertise in a different way: influencing practice across Children's Social Care, Adult Social Care, Family Help, Education and Health, and helping to ensure children and young people with SEND receive the right support at the right time.
As our DSCO, you will be the recognised social care lead within Wiltshire's SEND system, supporting services to meet their statutory responsibilities and improving the quality of social care practice across the local area. This role requires professional maturity, confidence in applying social work knowledge and the ability to offer constructive challenge across a multi-agency system.
A key part of the role is overseeing the quality of social care advice within EHCP processes. Under the direction and supervision of the Service Manager for IFD and strategic lead for SEND, you will support practitioners and managers to produce high-quality, lawful and outcome-focused contributions through quality assurance, guidance, challenge and training.
You will have scope to shape guidance, influence practice standards and act as a source of professional expertise for colleagues and partners. This is a role for someone who can work with autonomy, build credibility and use evidence, legislation and practice knowledge to strengthen decision-making.
Why us?
Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Find out more about Our Identity, staff networks, and employee benefits here.
Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer‑facing roles work entirely from their service location.
We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.
Contact details
Stephanie Coomber, Service Manager Integrated Front Door at Stephanie.Coomber@wiltshire.gov.uk
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Application criteria
Please download and read the role description and person specification carefully before you apply.
We understand that AI tools can support you in preparing job applications. However, we value authenticity and would encourage you to ensure your submission genuinely reflects your own experiences, skills, and motivations.
While we welcome applications from job seekers who require skilled worker sponsorship, we are not able to issue a defined certificate of sponsorship due to limitations in our sponsorship capacity.
If you have applied for this role within the last six months, you do not need to reapply. Your application will remain on file and will be considered.
We are firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to the principles of inclusion and diversity in both employment and the delivery of services.
Statement of commitment to equality and inclusion
Wiltshire Council does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate details from recruitment agencies that are not appointed under a current, valid contract or approved supplier arrangement (including through our neutral vendor, Comensura).
Submission of unsolicited CVs or candidate details to the Council, whether directly or to individual employees, will not be considered as an introduction and will not create any obligation on the Council to pay any fees. If a candidate whose details have been submitted speculatively is subsequently appointed through a compliant route, no agency fee will be payable in respect of the unsolicited submission.
Agencies wishing to work with the Council must do so only via our approved procurement processes and neutral vendor arrangements.
Responsibilities
You will:
Lead quality assurance of social care contributions to EHCPs.
Deliver training, workshops and practice development across services.
Provide expert advice on SEND and social care legislation.
Support mediation, tribunal and dispute resolution activity.
Promote effective Preparing for Adulthood and transition planning.
Develop guidance, resources and practice standards.
Work with education, health, social care and family representatives to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Be responsible for developing social care aspects of the Local Offer that provide relevant advice and information and meet all legislative requirements.
Qualifications
About you
We're looking for a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England who has:
Significant post-qualification social work experience, ideally operating at Level 4 or equivalent.
Strong knowledge of children's social care and safeguarding.
Excellent communication and influencing skills.
Experience of quality assurance, practice improvement or workforce development.
The confidence to provide professional advice, support and challenge.
A passion for improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
The ability to work independently, build professional credibility and influence practice without line management responsibility.
Salary range
- £44,253 - £46,579 per year