Advanced Practitioner Practice Development (Adults)

About the job

Key information

Transform lives, champion rights & support adults to achieve their full potential.

• Location: Role will be countywide and can be based in Yeovil, Taunton, Bridgwater or Mendip
• Starting salary £43,149 rising annually, currently up to £47,665
• Full time, 37 hours per week
• Ideal opportunity for an experienced practitioner looking for their next step
• 30 days annual leave entitlement

What will I be doing?

As an Advanced Practitioner Practice Development, you will play a lead role in driving high-quality, evidence-informed social work practice across our Learning Disabilities Service. Working within the framework of the Care Act 2014, you will help ensure practice is strengths-based, person-centred and aligned with professional standards, while modelling excellent practice and supporting others to deliver effective interventions that improve outcomes for adults, families and carers.

This role is central to the development of the social care workforce. You will provide supervision, coaching and professional support to Social Workers, students and Newly Qualified Social Workers, while leading and contributing to practice improvement initiatives that strengthen capability across the service and support sustainable, high-quality social work practice.

Working closely with operational managers, the Principal Social Worker and Learning and Development colleagues, you will help create a culture of learning, reflection and continuous improvement across the Learning Disabilities Service.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Service Manager in the leadership and management of teams, including effective operations, planning, team development, human resources, staff development and financial oversight.
• Work with the Service Manager to prepare social work development reviews, identify staff training needs and provide induction programmes for new staff.
• Assess students’ ability to apply social work theories, models and approaches alongside legislation in practice.
• Develop students’ and NQSWs’ practice skills and ensure standards of practice for Social Workers are upheld, as defined by Social Work England and the Professional Capabilities Framework.
• Provide fortnightly supervision and regular support to students throughout their placement, ensuring consistent quality learning opportunities and supervision.
• Facilitate NQSW professional development meetings and reviews, complete observation reports and verify professional documentation.
• Lead and contribute to local and national service developments, quality assurance activity and practice improvement work.
• Provide advanced decision-making, problem-solving and advice to the social care workforce in relation to practice issues.
• Act as a source of expertise for social care and occupational therapy staff through coaching, mentoring, joint-working and case discussion.
• Work closely with partners, community resources, the Learning and Development Team and Principal Social Worker to support an integrated and quality-assured approach.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

• A Social Work qualification (Degree, DipSW or CQSW) and current Social Work England registration.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of theories, models of intervention and research activity that underpin best practice in adult social work.
• Experience of supervisory responsibilities, including oversight and mentoring of learners, such as students or Newly Qualified Social Workers.
• Holding or working towards Practice Education Professional Standards (PEPs) qualification.
• At least two years post-qualifying experience.
• Evidence of professional development, including contributing to the development and learning of others individually and as part of a team.
• Confidence in critically and constructively reflecting on others’ social work practice.
• Excellent analytical, influencing, negotiation and organisational skills.
• A good understanding of IT systems and the ability to work under pressure, prioritise and manage deadlines.
• The ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels using positive and person-centred approaches, including through written reports.

Supporting documents and information

About the Team/Service

You will join a busy, supportive and experienced Learning Disabilities Service, working alongside Social Workers, Adult Social Care Practitioners, Occupational Therapists and partner agencies to improve outcomes for adults with learning disabilities across Somerset.

The service focuses on enabling people to:

• Live as independently as possible
• Remain connected to their communities
• Have choice and control over their lives

As the Practice Development Advanced Practitioner, you will play a key role in supporting practitioners to deliver consistent, high-quality social work practice, championing learning, reflective practice and professional curiosity throughout the service. This is an excellent opportunity to influence practice, support workforce development and help shape the future direction of Learning Disabilities services across Somerset. This role will support the development of students, newly qualified Social Workers and experienced practitioners, helping to build a confident, resilient and highly skilled workforce.

You will work within a collaborative, multi-agency environment, building strong relationships with health colleagues, local services and partner organisations, while helping embed best practice and continuous improvement across the service.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council.

Please Note: We may consider offering Skilled Worker visa sponsorship to suitably qualified overseas social workers who are already residing in the UK. To be eligible, applicants must hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England. Sponsorship will be assessed as part of the recruitment process. This is only available to candidates currently living in the UK, as unfortunately we are unable to provide resettlement support.

Due to the nature of the role and the geographical area of the service across Somerset, which is a largely rural county, with limitations around public transport the ability to be able to travel to any location is essential. Therefore, applicants must have full access to a vehicle that can be used for work purposes.

We recognise and welcome applications from disabled individuals who may require reasonable adjustments to meet this requirement, and we’re happy to discuss this from the first point of contact with the recruitment team.

Apply on the Somerset Council website