Senior Safeguarding Adults Officer

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced social worker or registered health professional to join our Safeguarding Adults Team. The Safeguarding Adults Team are responsible for leading safeguarding adults work across the council.

In this role, you will be responsible, under the supervision of the safeguarding adults manager, for the supervision and day to day practice leadership of a team of safeguarding adults officers which includes two nurses, social workers and adult social care workers to undertake all aspects of operational safeguarding work. From coordinating the local authority response to safeguarding adults concerns through S.42(1) decisions and undertaking S.42(2) safeguarding adults enquiries.

The role involves chairing safeguarding adults meetings and leading ‘service level’ safeguarding responses to concerns around organisational abuse. Whilst significant experience in safeguarding adults work is essential, you will receive support to develop the skills to become an expert in this area of work.

It is a high-profile role that also involves undertaking service monitoring activities, and work with a wide variety of multi-agency partners. You will also support other adult care teams in their complex safeguarding responses and provide advice and guidance on safeguarding adults matters to local authority and multi-agency partners.

You will have the opportunity to play a key role in supporting the work of the safeguarding adults board sub-groups, policy and process development and training.

Key Responsibilities:

• Have a central role in managing and planning safeguarding adults responses and be responsible for chairing Safeguarding Adult meetings where there are issues of particular complexity i.e. systemic abuse in care homes, multiple adults at risk of abuse or complex familial/carer situations.

• Have a central, highly visible and influential role in managing and planning the Safeguarding Adults process for those who are at risk of abuse within an extensive multi-agency professional network

• Operating as a point of contact for specialist safeguarding advice and guidance to practitioners across adult social care and partner organisations.

• Assist in promoting an organisational culture which puts adults at risk at risk at the centre of safeguarding work and which places a high value on professional practice in North Somerset.

• Undertake supervision of a multi-disciplinary group of Safeguarding Adults Officers including Nurses, Social Workers and Adult Social Care Workers.

• Play a key role in triage and waiting list management

• Have an influential role in developing council, multi-agency and team safeguarding processes and procedures.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about promoting people’s rights and strengths while protecting adults at risk from abuse, and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Must possess a relevant professional qualification in Health or social Social Care e.g. Social Work, Occupational Therapy or Nursing
• Must be registered with the relevant professional body.
• Significant post-qualifying experience in Safeguarding Adults
• Experience of chairing meetings
• Experience of adult abuse/safeguarding investigations
• Experience of interagency and multi-disciplinary working
• Experience of working with a range of statutory, independent and voluntary sector providers i.e. Police, CQC, care homes etc
• Comprehensive knowledge and significant experience of relevant legislation and procedures

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of chairing safeguarding adults meetings
• Experience of overseeing the practice of others

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact James Wright, Safeguarding Adults Manager, at james.wright@n-somerset.gov.uk or 07917228408.

Due to annual leave, please contact Donna Palmer, Head of Service at donna.palmer@n-somerset.gov.uk between 28 July and 11Th August.

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: Friday 22 August 2025.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.