Description Suffolk County Council - Various locations countywide in Suffolk Salary: £37,280 per annum (pro rata for part time hours) rising to £38,220 - £40,777 per annum after successful completion of your ASYE (Assessed and Supported Year in Employment) Plus a £500 additional payment and retention payments Hours: Full or part time hours available Contract: Permanent and temporary contracts available Join a service Nominated for Adult Social Worker of the Year 2024 Join Suffolk's Adult Social Care Services as an Adult Social Worker or Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW), We're actively seeking experienced and recent graduates (or those approaching qualification) who demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting local communities and building effective networks. Suffolk provides a comprehensive training programme including ASYE if required to support your first year in practice, designed to be the foundation for a rewarding long-term career with us. This is your opportunity to develop your career while making a meaningful difference in Suffolk's communities, supported by a team committed to your professional growth and success. We welcome early applications and will support you through the registration process. We could offer: full or part-time hours permanent and temporary posts across Suffolk flexible working and hybrid working options retention payments for 2,3 and 5 years (£1000, £1500 and £2000) 6 protected days CPD a strong and diverse training offer supportive and experienced teams opportunities for development and career progression across the council inclusive and creative culture. We are passionate in supporting you with your Social Work career and progression. We are committed to offering you flexible working options like part-time working, so please read the Social Work Job Description to find out the types of flexible working options available. We are a family-friendly organisation and want to support you to find a work-life balance, motivating you to be the best Social Care professional that you can be. If successful in joining the organisation, you will: have an excellent induction to the role receive support from peers and mentors be able to access extensive training opportunities available, to support your personal and professional development join a cohort of NQSW's who are also completing their ASYE training allowing you to provide and receive support from other NQSWs. Further opportunities with career development Following successful completion of your ASYE you could progress in the following roles: Approved Mental Health Practitioner Practice Educator. Your role You will have the ability and experience to undertake innovative strengths-based assessments and care planning with individuals, carers, and their personal support networks. You will also be open to change, innovative and confident with a focus on strengthening social work; be ambitious about what people can achieve and keen to explore ideas for positive outcomes. There are opportunities in integrated neighbiurhood teams, mental health teams and learning disabilioty and autism teams across the county. Please state your preference in your application. If you're considering applying, we encourage you to watch our video on Reimagining a Career in Adult Social Work. It offers valuable insight into the impact you can make and the support you'll receive as part of our team. The teams Integrated Neighbourhood and Area Locality Adult social work in Suffolk supports individuals aged 18 and over who may need help due to: Physical health conditions, Mental health challenges, Age-related needs, Substance misuse, or Caring responsibilities. We uphold our strategic responsibilities under the Care Act 2014, ensuring people receive the right support at the right time. Through our Integrated Neighbourhood and Area Locality Teams, we work closely with health professionals to help people live independently, stay safe, and maintain their well-being within their homes and communities. Our teams carry out holistic assessments, provide advice and guidance, and signpost individuals to local resources. We collaborate with key stakeholders, voluntary organisations, and social enterprises to promote choice, independence, and person-centred care - placing people at the heart of everything we do. Mental Health The ASC Mental Health Service is a county wide service and therefore has bases across Suffolk. We are a creative service, evolving to work in the best way for the people of Suffolk. As a specialist service supporting those with functional mental health conditions, the teams are full of knowledge, skills, experience and a passion to encourage and promote independence and wellbeing. The service works closely with local system partners to provide high standards of social work to the people of Suffolk, who are also receiving a service from NHS Mental Health Services, including carrying out both statutory duties under the Care Act 2014 and those under the Mental Health Act 1983 (2007). Learning Disabilities and Autism We’re recruiting Social Workers to join our Learning Disability and Autism Service. In this role, you'll work with individuals with learning disabilities and autism, providing personalised support that helps them achieve their goals and thrive in their community. Every day is different - whether you're helping a young person transition from hospital to their first home or creating a tailored reablement plan to connect someone within local community, you’ll have the chance to make a profound difference. Signs of Safety It is an exciting time to join Adult Social Care in Suffolk, with our ambition titled People at the heart of Care, setting out how we will work to support people to live fulfilling and independent lives in Suffolk. Using our Signs of Safety model as a foundation throughout our service- working with people and their networks using a safety, solution building and trauma responsive approach. This is your chance to become one of the select few Social Workers worldwide that are trained practicing professionals in Signs of Safety; this will see you stand out from other Social Workers and enable you to develop and progress in your career. For more information about Signs of Safety, visit: ACS introduction ( pagetiger.com ) What is Signs of Safety ( signsofsafety.net ) Our approach Partnership working is strong and through joint care planning, we strive for a person-centered approach that supports people to be independent, resilient, and have choice and control. We have strong, cohesive, and supportive management teams, who are committed to continuous professional development and have a reputation for changing services for the better. How to apply Step 1 - Read the Grade 5 Adult Social Worker Job and Person Profile (JPP). Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application. Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template. 1. Tell us about a time when you worked collaboratively with statutory, private, and voluntary agencies to deliver an effective joint response to health and social care needs. What was your role and what did you achieve? 2. Provide an example of how you have used creative and innovative thought to solve a problem for a service user. What was the situation and what did you do? 3. How do you manage your workload and prioritise tasks in a changing health and social care environment? Please provide a specific example. 4. Please state your preference of team if you have one. (Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism or Integrated Neighbourhood) Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details). We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process. Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process. For more information For an informal discussion about any of these roles please contact us by emailing ASCrecruitment@suffolk.gov.uk and we will give you a call at your convenience. Closing date: 11.30pm, 12 October 2025. Interviews: week commencing 20 October 2025. This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. LI-Hybrid