Are you an experienced Social Worker ready to take the next step in your professional journey? Do you want to influence practice, develop others, and help shape high‑quality social care across Devon? If so, we’d love you to join us as an Advanced Social Worker.
As an Advanced Social Worker, you will play a pivotal role in leading and supporting high‑quality, evidence‑based social work practice. Working closely with the Team Manager, you will provide professional leadership, mentoring, and support to colleagues, ensuring excellent outcomes for the people we support.
This is a role for someone with substantial post‑qualifying experience who wants to combine complex casework, practice leadership, and team development.
You will:
1. Take a lead role in supervising, coaching and guiding less experienced practitioners, students, and unqualified staff.
2. Support day‑to‑day operational activity, including oversight of complex cases, performance, and practice standards.
3. Champion reflective practice, research‑informed work, and continuous professional learning.
4. Develop areas of expertise, sharing learning across the service.
5. Provide expert input into complex assessments, risk analysis, court work, and key decision-making.
6. Contribute to service improvement, quality assurance, and the development of social work practice county‑wide.
What we are looking for
We’re seeking someone who can demonstrate:
7. Substantial post‑qualifying experience as a Social Worker.
8. Proven competence aligned with the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) at Advanced Social Worker level.
9. Strong skills in supervision, coaching, mentoring and reflective practice.
10. Excellent assessment, analytical and decision‑making abilities, particularly in complex situations.
11. High‑quality communication skills, both written and verbal.
12. Confidence in working with multi‑agency partners and within court environments.
13. A passion for developing practice, promoting professional standards, and driving improvement.
14. Registration with the relevant regulatory body and a recognised Social Work qualification.
Practice Educator training and/or AMHP/BIA qualifications are beneficial, though not essential
Why Join Devon County Council?
Working for Devon means making a difference every day. You will be part of a supportive, reflective and forward‑thinking organisation committed to:
15. High‑quality practice
16. Professional development
17. Strong supervision frameworks
18. Career progression opportunities
19. A culture of learning, curiosity, and collaboration
How to apply
Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria as described in the person specification of the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.
Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service details to log in and apply.