Weston -super- Mare (Hybrid)
Permanent, Part time
Level 11:- £54,105 - £59,694 per annum
Permanent - 29 days annual leave pro rata, increasing to 34 days annual leave pro rata after 5 years' service. - Flexible Worker
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 delighted to be launching our Social Care Academy in September! Our Academy will support our newly qualified social workers, social work students and apprentices, and our social care workforce, with pre and post qualification pathways and our Passport to Practice learning & development offer, to build the stable and able workforce we need for great practice to grow and flourish.
You would be joining our Academy at a very exciting time of ambition, innovation and improvement. Our Practice Approach, Building Connections, sees us
continue to embed restorative practice with a relational approach and a trauma- informed lens, and the Academy will enable practitioners to champion our approach across Children’s Services.
The Academy manager will lead the Academy efficiently and effectively, modelling relational, restorative communication and practice, so that Academy learners, including newly qualified social workers and social work apprentices, are supported in their pre and post qualification pathways and learning & development to achieve the required standards and/or qualifications.
About the Role
The Academy manager will supervise and support newly qualified social workers and oversee their Personal Development Plans in collaboration with their destination team manager and Practice Educator.
The Academy manager will supervise Practice Educators to ensure robust oversight of all ongoing assessment of newly qualified social workers’ first year of practice in line with the requirements of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment programme.
The Academy manager will support the Learning & Development Team and Principal Social Worker with wider Academy learning in line with the “Passport to Practice” learning & development offer, to promote career progression for children’s social care practitioners across the Directorate.
About You
You will be a qualified social worker with significant post-qualification experience, and a demonstrable commitment to relational, restorative practice.
You will hold direct experience of supervising social workers, and a recognised Practice Education qualification, with a proven track record of supporting, developing, and assessing social care learners’ against established competencies.
You may be a team manager or senior social worker looking to step into a managerial role, and you will be passionate about learning and development and restorative practice.
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.
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 values and 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 an informal discussion about this role, please contact Laura Clements, Principal Social Worker, at Laura.Clements@n-somerset.gov.uk.
Important Information
As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.
Applications close on Thursday, 5th June 2025 and shortlisted applicants will be contacted to arrange an interview on Friday, 6th June.
Interviews for this post will take place on Wednesday, 11th June.
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.