At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve people’s lives.
About the Team
The Adult Social Care Senior Leadership Team is looking for a full-time Principal Adult Social Worker, based in Keynsham Civic Centre. This is a pivotal role in supporting people and communities to work with Adult Social Care in an equal way, sharing influence, skills and experience, drawing on strengths and promoting independence.
About the Role
As Principal Adult Social Worker you will lead continuous professional development and competency of the social care work workforce within the Council's remit including across our integrated Mental Health functions. You will establish a shared practice model that inspires, motivates and epitomises the principles of wellbeing and independence across the directorate and wider system. You will be a key member of the Adult Social Care Leadership Team supporting our journey of continuous improvement following our recent CQC Inspection.
You will carry out responsibilities including:
* In collaboration with broader social care leadership, act as the practice lead to define and develop the model of social work practice and the standard of excellence, aligned with national frameworks, standards, and legislation. This role involves integrating best practice insights from current research, as well as the latest legislative and statutory changes.
* Contribute to the review of policies, processes, and procedures to enhance the quality of social work practice and services delivered. This includes making recommendations, participating in policy and process development and improvement, and serving as a change leader (in partnership with Social Work Managers) to implement changes successfully.
* Develop feedback mechanisms, and collect, represent, and communicate the views of social care practitioners and service users to senior management. This ensures that the perspectives and experiences of both practitioners and service users are fully considered in the evaluation and planning of social care.
* Help define and oversee supervision provision to ensure effective professional supervision for all staff, supporting practitioners' professional development and embedding reflective practice within the service.
* Oversee and contribute to the design and delivery of training and learning programmes, ensuring that professional development for staff is coherent, relevant, and effectively supports their practice. This includes identifying training needs, developing programme content aligned with standards, and potentially influencing local higher education institutions to ensure their social work education programmes align with the Council's priorities and needs.
* Provide advice to senior leaders on complex and legal issues related to social work practice, as well as advising on complex and controversial cases. This ensures that the council's statutory responsibilities are discharged effectively in line with best practice and legislative requirements.
* Contribute to the development of a quality assurance framework, ensuring there are clear and effective mechanisms in place to monitor and review practice, manage risk, and support the delivery of good outcomes for service users. This also requires contributing to the quality assurance of services through activities defined in the framework, such as audits and observations.
* Support preparation for inspections and regulatory service reviews to ensure that the service is well-prepared, understands the requirements, and can present an accurate view of current practice.
* Participate actively in networks at local, regional, and national levels to share best practices and current policy developments.
About You
* Be a qualified Principal Social Worker (Social work degree, Diploma in Social Work, CQSW or equivalent) with at least two years’ experience in Social Work.
* Registered with Social Work England
* Have a Full UK Drivers License and access to a car due to business need.
If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Ann Smith at ann_smith@bathnes.gov.uk.
Interview date: TBC
About Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Working at Bath & North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.
Why Bath & North East Somerset Council?
We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-benefits
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve peoples live. Find out more about our values at https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-values
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity
We are a Disability Confident Employer find out more at https://shorturl.at/ajrsW
Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.
We are unable to sponsor candidates for this role under the Home Office Tier 2 points-based system (skilled worker route), therefore you must be able to obtain and provide your own right to work in the UK. Please refer to the Home Office Right to Work Checklist which provides details of which documents are acceptable. Should you be shortlisted you will be asked to bring your right to work documents with you to your interview so they can be copied and verified at that stage