Social Worker - Neighbourhoods Team (Taunton) (Adults)

Closing date: 14 September 2026

 

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

 

• Location: Taunton
• Starting salary £37,280 rising annually, currently up to £41,777 (pending pay award)
• Full time, 37 hours per week
• Ideal opportunity for an experienced practitioner looking for their next step
• 30 days annual leave entitlement

 

Role Purpose

As a Social Worker within our Neighbourhoods Team, you will work alongside adults, carers, families, communities and partner organisations to promote wellbeing, independence and positive outcomes. Focusing on strengths-based practice, you will support people to remain living safely and independently within their own homes and communities wherever possible.

Working proactively and creatively, you will help prevent, reduce or delay the need for ongoing formal support, enabling people to make informed choices about their lives whilst maintaining their dignity, rights and independence. This includes working closely with health colleagues, voluntary organisations and community resources to help avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and support timely discharges where appropriate. The role aligns with core social work responsibilities including assessment, risk management, care planning and partnership working.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete strengths-based assessments that focus on what matters most to people and how they can maintain or improve their independence.
• Support adults and carers to identify solutions, build resilience and access community resources that promote wellbeing.
• Work collaboratively with health professionals, voluntary sector organisations and wider partners to deliver coordinated support.

Undertake assessments of risk and need, ensuring people are safeguarded and protected from harm whilst promoting choice and control.

Manage a varied caseload, responding effectively to referrals, changes in circumstances and emerging risks.

Develop and review support plans that maximise independence and reduce reliance on formal services.

Help prevent avoidable hospital admissions and support safe, sustainable discharges back into the community.

Build strong professional relationships with individuals, carers, families and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes.

Maintain accurate records and produce high-quality assessments, reports and recommendations.

Champion equality, diversity, inclusion and person-centred practice in all aspects of your work.

 

What We’re Looking For – Essential Skills/Experience

We're looking for qualified Social Workers who are passionate about helping people achieve the best possible outcomes and who can see beyond traditional service responses.

You'll need:

• A recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Sound knowledge of relevant adult social care legislation, safeguarding and strengths-based practice.
• Experience of working collaboratively with partner agencies and professionals.
• Excellent assessment, communication and relationship-building skills.
• A proactive and creative approach to problem solving.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively in a dynamic environment. 
• Resilience, professional curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Access to a vehicle for work purposes.

About the Team/Service

Our Neighbourhoods Team is at the heart of Somerset's vision for Adult Social Care. We work with people in their local communities to promote independence, wellbeing and connection, helping them stay well, stay safe and stay in control of their lives.

The team adopts a strengths-based and preventative approach, building on people's assets, relationships and community networks before considering formal support. We work closely with health services, voluntary organisations and local community groups to find innovative solutions that enable people to remain independent for as long as possible.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive, forward-thinking team where you'll have the autonomy to make a difference, develop your practice and see the positive impact of your work every day.

Additional Information

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.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Helen Readdy, Recruitment and Engagement Officer Adults helen.readdy@somerset.gov.uk

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early if we have received a sufficient number of applications, so don’t delay, apply today!

(If you are an internal candidate, please apply via the internal careers site)

 

A full job description can be found here:  Adults Social Worker - Job Description - RP258 

Person Specification

Knowledge / Experience / Qualifications / Skills

Essential

Desirable

Knowledge

   

Knowledge and understanding of Social Care practice as defined by Social Work England Guidelines, appropriate legislation and issues relevant to client group.

✓

 

Ability to speak fluent English as stated in Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016).

✓

 

Understanding of social care resources and provision available beyond statutory agencies.

 

✓

Awareness of government guidance and legislative changes across broad range of Social Service issues.

 

✓

Experience

   

Relevant multi-disciplinary Social Care experience within multidisciplinary team - relevant to needs of post.

✓

 

Evidence of partnership working with other agencies including Social Care Services, Health Services, Voluntary Agencies and/or Education.

✓

 

A variety of experiences working with relevant client group including Learning Disabilities.

 

✓

Supervisory experience.

 

✓

Previous experience of working with health professionals.

 

✓

Qualifications / Registrations / Certifications

   

Possession of recognised Social Work Qualification – Degree in Social Work (BA), a master’s degree in social work, or equivalent.

✓

 

Registration with Social Work England.

✓

 

Skills

   

Ability to speak fluent English as stated in Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016).

✓

 

Demonstrates empathy, sensitivity, self- awareness and acceptance of others.

✓

 

Able to prioritise workload, work with competing deadlines and organise time effectively.

✓

 

Self-reliant and resilient – able to respond positively to difficult situations.

✓

 

Willingness to embrace organisational change.

✓

 

Access to / use of a vehicle is an essential requirement.

✓

 

1278/FG