Location: Buckinghamshire County Wide
Overview
Are you an experienced and confident social work professional ready to take the next step in your career? We are seeking committed Advanced Practitioners to support high‑quality, strengths‑based practice across our Adult Social Care services.
This is an opportunity to play a key leadership role within frontline services, providing expert practice guidance, supporting reflective supervision and contributing to service development, while continuing to hold a complex caseload. You will work in an organisation that values professional judgement, invests in learning and development, and creates the conditions for excellent social work practice.
We have the following permanent, full time Advanced Practitioner opportunities available across our social work teams:
1. 1 x Transitions Team
2. 4 x North Locality Team
Please state your preferred area of interest within your application.
In addition to the salary advertised you will receive a market premium of £2,525 per annum.
We also offer a golden hello payment of £2,500 paid on successful completion of your probationary period (for external candidates only).
About us
Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.
Why work with us
We recognise the critical role Advanced Practitioners play in maintaining practice standards and developing our workforce. When you join us, you can expect:
3. Professional investment – Payment of annual Social Work England registration fees, access to a wide range of internal and external learning opportunities, and professional resources to support continued development and specialism.
4. Excellent transport links – Our county‑wide locations benefit from strong road connections, including easy access to the M25, M40 and A‑road networks, making our services easily commutable from surrounding counties. We are also outside of the ULEZ zone.
5. A strong focus on wellbeing – We actively promote staff wellbeing through wellbeing initiatives, team‑building activities, volunteering opportunities and an open, supportive culture.
6. Robust induction & ongoing support – A structured induction including a named buddy, planned shadowing opportunities and management support to help you settle confidently into your role. We have a clear career progression pathway to give you opportunities to grow and flourish.
7. Hybrid working – A flexible, mobile working model supported by appropriate IT equipment, enabling effective working across locations while maintaining service quality.
8. Staff benefits – Free parking where available, an essential car user allowance, employee discounts and automatic enrolment into our generous pension scheme. We also offer a salary sacrifice personal car lease scheme to those who are eligible and have passed their probation period.
About the role
As an Advanced Practitioner, you will provide professional leadership and expert practice support across adult social care. You will model high‑quality, strengths‑based practice, support staff development through supervision and coaching, and contribute to service improvement and safeguarding quality assurance.
Alongside managing a complex caseload, you will act as a source of specialist knowledge, supporting practitioners in complex decision‑making, risk management and lawful, proportionate practice.
You will:
9. Manage a complex caseload, completing proportionate, strengths‑based and outcome‑focused assessments, plans and reviews.
10. Provide professional leadership and reflective supervision to colleagues, including newly qualified practitioners.
11. Support and lead on complex safeguarding enquiries, including section 42 work and court‑related activity where required.
12. Ensure practice complies with legislation, statutory guidance and local policies, including the Care Act and Mental Capacity Act.
13. Model and promote strengths‑based, relationship‑focused practice in line with the Better Lives framework.
14. Contribute to quality assurance, audit activity and service development initiatives
15. Build strong partnerships with adults, families, carers and multi‑agency partners.
16. Maintain high‑quality records and produce clear, professional reports.
17. Act as an ambassador for high professional standards and continuous improvement across the service.
About you
You must hold a Social Work degree and be registered with Social Work England. Ideally you will have experience of working within Adult Social Care in the UK.
You will have substantial post‑qualifying experience working with adults in a statutory setting. You bring strong, up‑to‑date knowledge of adult social care legislation, safeguarding arrangements and strengths‑based practice and are confident supporting complex decision‑making and positive risk‑taking. You can work flexibly to meet service needs, balance leadership responsibilities alongside your own casework.
As a skilled practitioner and role model, you will be comfortable providing professional guidance, supervision and support to colleagues, using reflective approaches to promote learning and development. Organised, resilient and outcome‑focused, you will maintain high standards of recording and report writing and are committed to continuous professional development.
For further details, please refer to the full job summary attached.