We are seeking a caring, innovative, and motivated Social Worker to join our Disabled Children’s Service, supporting young people as they prepare for adulthood. This is a pivotal role, working collaboratively with families, social care assessors, and partner agencies to ensure person-centred, strengths-based support and the best possible outcomes for disabled children and young people across Devon.
Brief introduction to the role
As a Social Worker you will be assessing the capacity of young people (16-17 years of age) to consent to that planning and considering their best interest to make recommendations on their behalf. You will play a vital part in empowering young people and their families through every stage of their transition to adulthood. You will champion early planning, person-centred practice, and multi-agency collaboration, ensuring that each young person’s voice, strengths, and aspirations for this future are at the heart of all decision-making.
Key responsibilities:
1. Championing transitions: Support young people through key life changes, ensuring early planning for future housing, employment, and support needs.
2. Person-centred planning: Place the young person at the centre of all decision-making, valuing their lived experience, identity, and aspirations, and ensuring their voice is heard.
3. Building on strengths and networks: Identify and build on each young person’s strengths, interests, and trusted relationships. Promote social and community inclusion.
4. Supporting readiness for adulthood: Help young people develop practical life skills and set clear, actionable goals for supported or independent living and employment.
5. Seamless transition to adult services: Initiate early referrals to Adult Social Care and collaborate with the Transitions to Adult Social Care (TASC) Team to complete Care Act Assessments.
6. Applying the Mental Capacity Act (MCA, 2005): Presume capacity and support decision-making. Where capacity is lacking, facilitate Best Interests meetings and always choose the least restrictive option.
7. Safeguarding and promoting autonomy: Balance safety and independence, ensuring explicit consent, legal safeguards, and clear documentation of all decisions and risk management actions.
8. Delivering lawful and timely support: Complete assessments and reviews within statutory timescales, escalating when needs change, and maintain continuity and expertise through collaborative networks and reflective supervision.
9. Supporting Quality Assurance: Assist Social Care Assessors in maintaining high standards by reviewing assessments for accuracy, compliance, and best practice.
Personal qualities / Who we are looking for:
10. Qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England.
11. Caring, innovative, and committed to person-centred, strengths-based, and lawful practice.
12. Experience working with disabled children, young people, or adults is beneficial but not essential and we will provide in job training and development.
13. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to build trust and work collaboratively with families and professionals.
14. Commitment to early, proactive planning and multi-agency working.
15. Ability to manage sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.
16. Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Why join the team
You will be part of a passionate, dedicated, and innovative service that puts ‘People First’ and is committed to making Devon the best place to grow up and live. We offer a supportive environment, opportunities for professional development, and a strong focus on reflective supervision and management oversight. As a forward thinking team, we are keen to model our services and approach on what works for our families, you will play a key role in shaping how we develop and provide services, allowing you to extend and build new skills, knowledge an experiences.
Additional relevant information
Social work qualification and registration with Social Work England is required. Our work is county wider and therefore you will need to have access to a vehicle and able to travel. We offer a flexible working environment, supporting a positive work life balance.
Interview dates will be arranged promptly following shortlisting and may take place throughout the recruitment campaign.