Our client based in West Northamptonshire is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join their Rural South and East Team. This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated practitioner to support adults with complex care and support needs through strengths-based, person-centred social work practice.

The successful candidate will work closely with adults, carers, families, health professionals, housing services, voluntary organisations, and partner agencies to promote independence, wellbeing, and positive outcomes. Using an asset-based approach, you will undertake assessments, care planning, safeguarding interventions, and reviews whilst supporting people to remain connected to their communities and achieve the outcomes that matter most to them.

This role requires a confident Social Worker who can manage complex cases, lead safeguarding enquiries, support less experienced colleagues, and apply professional judgement in challenging situations whilst balancing risk, choice, and independence.

Key Responsibilities

Core duties include:

Managing and prioritising a complex caseload involving adults with diverse care and support needs, ensuring timely and effective interventions.
Undertaking strengths-based and person-centred assessments to identify needs, outcomes, risks, and available community resources.
Developing, implementing, and reviewing Care and Support Plans that promote independence, wellbeing, and positive outcomes.
Responding effectively to crisis situations and participating in duty functions as required.
Leading Section 42 safeguarding enquiries in accordance with Adult Safeguarding procedures and the principles of Making Safeguarding Personal.
Making threshold decisions regarding safeguarding concerns and implementing appropriate safeguarding interventions.
Undertaking Mental Capacity Assessments and facilitating Best Interest decision-making in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Assessing and managing risk appropriately whilst promoting positive risk-taking and individual choice.
Working collaboratively with adults, carers, families, health services, housing providers, police, and voluntary sector organisations.
Preparing professional reports, court documentation, assessments, and evidence for legal proceedings where required.
Maintaining accurate, timely, and legally compliant records using the council's case management and IT systems.
Providing mentoring, guidance, and practice support to less experienced colleagues within the team.
Promoting community-based solutions and supporting individuals to access local services, informal networks, and preventative support.
Supporting market development and identifying creative, cost-effective support options that achieve positive outcomes whilst keeping people safe.
Participating in multidisciplinary meetings, safeguarding meetings, case conferences, and service development initiatives.
Making defensible decisions, providing clear professional rationale, and taking accountability for social work practice and outcomes.

Qualifications & Experience

Professional Qualification: MA, BA, BSc in Social Work, Diploma in Social Work, CQSW, CSS, or equivalent recognised Social Work qualification.
Registration: Must be registered with Social Work England.
Experience: Significant post-qualified experience within Adult Social Care services.
Legislation Knowledge: Strong understanding of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 1983, Human Rights legislation, Adult Safeguarding legislation, and associated statutory guidance.
Assessment Skills: Proven ability to undertake complex assessments, reviews, support planning, and risk management interventions.
Safeguarding Experience: Experience leading safeguarding enquiries, making threshold decisions, and managing complex safeguarding concerns.
Court Experience: Experience preparing reports and participating in court proceedings is desirable.
Multi-Agency Working: Strong experience working collaboratively with health services, housing providers, police, voluntary sector organisations, carers, families, and partner agencies.