Senior Practitioner - PACT Team, Adult Social Care

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Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

Senior Practitioner – People Achieving Change Together (PACT) Team

We have an excellent opportunity available for a Senior Practitioner to join our PACT Team in Adult Social Care Team on a Full Time, Permanent Basis.

The PACT Team will work alongside adults who may not feel able to engage with traditional services. This includes young people transitioning into adulthood, people experiencing complex or high-risk circumstances, those at risk of exploitation, and individuals whose hoarding is creating serious safety concerns. The team will operate across two dedicated workstreams: one focusing on transitional safeguarding and relational unpredictability, and the other specialising in high-risk self-neglect and hoarding. The team will hold a small caseload, allowing time to build meaningful, trusting relationships and to respond quickly and flexibly when someone is at risk or in crisis. We will work with adults who have Care Act eligible needs, or who may reach that point without early, compassionate, and relational support.

As Senior Practitioner, you will play a key role in bringing together different services during high‑risk and complex situations, in particular supporting young adults aged 18–25 at risk of serious violence, exploitation, trafficking or coercion, as well as people experiencing hoarding behaviours where risks to health, safety and wellbeing can be significant.

The role also leads by example, supporting good practice across the team. It offers coaching, space for reflection and practical guidance to colleagues, helping build a learning culture where staff feel confident working with complex and high‑risk situations.

We’re a small, supportive council with big ambitions. We trust our teams, work closely together and give people space to make ideas happen. Our adult social care services were rated among the highest in the country by the CQC in 2025, with two “Outstanding” areas. We were also ranked the 2nd most productive council in England by the Impower Productivity Index, recognising our strong performance and efficient use of public money.

Wokingham Borough Council is proud to be part of the Social Care Future movement, supporting a vision where everyone can live in a place they call home, connected to the people and activities that matter most.

⭐Staff Benefits⭐

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

⭐Generous Annual Leave entitlement of 31 days (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays

⭐Local Government Pension Scheme (actual contribution details to follow)

⭐GP Helpline 7 days a week

⭐Employee Assistance Programme with a 24/7 Your Care confidential helpline

⭐Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines

⭐Free Onsite Gym (located at Shute End, Wokingham)

⭐Salary Sacrifice Schemes – including Car and Cycle to Work

⭐Local & Lifestyle Discounts – savings on shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and more

⭐Move through Menopause Course

⭐Sports & Social Group Activities – running, football, cricket, and more

⭐Learning & Development Opportunities

⭐Employee Networks

Key responsibilities:

• Provide specialist, relationship‑based support to people who have Care Act eligible needs or who are at risk of entering Care Act arrangements and those at risk of exploitation, including transitional safeguarding cohorts.
• Deliver sustained, strengths‑based and trauma‑informed work with individuals who experience barriers to engagement, recognising the impact of coercion, control, exploitation, and contextual risks, and prioritising trust, safety and long‑term change.
• Provide specialist, relationship-based support to people who have Care Act–eligible needs or where risks may increase. This includes working in a sustained, strengths-based way with people who may find it hard to engage, including those experiencing hoarding or part of transitional safeguarding groups.
• Carry out complex Care Act assessments, reviews, and support plans in a clear and balanced way. Take a whole-person, trauma-informed approach that supports wellbeing, independence, choice, and safety. Work alongside people to build everyday skills and confidence, helping them make lasting changes at a pace that feels safe, respectful, and empowering.
• Work closely with different teams and organisations to provide flexible, person-centred support. Help improve access to services for people who find them hard to use.
• Act as Safeguarding Adults Manager where required, providing clear decision making and reflective oversight to ensure work is timely, well-evidenced and focused on what matters to the person.
• Lead preventative work within the PACT model, helping to reduce escalating risk and the need for formal safeguarding by providing early, proportionate and relationship-based support in line with Pan Berkshire processes.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and supportive supervision to less experienced colleagues, helping them build confidence when working with complex situations.

Candidate criteria:

• A Social Work or Occupational Therapy qualification, with current professional registration.
• Minimum of 3 years (including ASYE) post qualification experience in Adult Social Care
• A full UK driving licence with access to a car daily
• Experience supporting young people in transitional safeguarding, including those at risk of exploitation or with complex trauma.
• Strong relationship skills, able to build trust with people who find services hard to access or stay engaged with.
• Experience working with hoarding or self‑neglect cases and supporting individuals with complex trauma.
• Knowledge of the legal and policy framework in relation to the role
• Commitment to trauma-informed, strengths-based work, with a creative approach.
• Able to understand complex and sensitive information and use it to plan safe, practical, and person-centred support.

Our area:

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

Wokingham Borough Council has committed to becoming a Marmot borough to embed prevention, early intervention and address inequalities in all aspects of our work. This is especially important given the significant and continued growth of our Borough and the diversity of its residents.

Click the link below and Apply Today!

Alternatively, to arrange an informal discussion about the role, contact Maria Harrison, Service Manager - Safeguarding, Quality & Governance, via Maria.Harrison@wokingham.gov.uk (Strictly no agencies).

Closing date: Sunday 19th July 2026, 11pm

Interview date:TBC

AI in Applications:

We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.