Job Details
Address: Various locations across Suffolk in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds
Salary: £41,502 - £47,054 per annum (pro rata for part time), plus retention payments for 2, 3 and 5 years of service of £1,000, £1,500 and £2,000
Hours: Full Time or Part time hours available
Contract: Various contracts available
Posts available:
* Post 1: Flexible Care and Support Team, West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds, 37 hours per week
* Post 2 and 3: Mildenhall Hub, Bury St Edmunds, Permanent, 37 hours per week
* Post 4 – 6: Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism, Endeavour House, Ipswich, 37 hours per week
* Post 7 and 8: Ipswich Hospital, Complex Hospital Team, 37 hours per week and 18.5 hours per week
Job Description
We are recruiting countywide for Senior Social Workers in Adult Social Care. With Suffolk, you can enjoy a great career for yourself and support vulnerable adults. We are always looking for new ways to deliver even better services. Social Workers working with Suffolk County Council play an integral role in our preventative approach to Social Care. We encourage our multi‑disciplinary teams to share their ideas and experience. We work together to get things done. Bring your positive, proactive attitude and we’ll empower you to make the most of your experience.
Senior Social Workers are passionate in demonstrating expert and effective practice in complex situations. Managing your own complex caseload, as well as supporting your colleagues with theirs, you will be a source of specialist advice and enable the mitigation of high levels of risk. You will also bring professional expertise to contribute to the development of practice standards. You will have experience in developing strong working relationships with partners, other agencies, and the voluntary sector to deliver improved outcomes.
What You Will Need
You will bring significant experience of social work, modelling good practice and providing advice and guidance in complex situations. We are also looking for your ability to mentor both newly qualified and experienced team members. As, a subject matter expert in relevant professional practice, you should have a comprehensive understanding of current legislation, regulations, and guidance.
You’ll also need:
* to be a qualified, registered social worker and have completed your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment.
* evidence of 2 years continued professional development and capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards.
* an in-depth understanding of the financial implications of commissioned care packages.
* the ability to make clear decisions, to highlight and limit potential risks associated with intervention.
* valid driving licence and access to personal transport.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word), if you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
About Us
Our staff are our greatest asset and with you in our team, we can achieve the authority's priorities of enabling everyone to live long, healthy, fulfilling lives whilst safeguarding the most vulnerable people in Suffolk. All our staff are provided with Information Technology and devices to allow more flexibility in the role and access to systems like the LiquidLogic Adults' System when working with clients.
We work to a strength‑based practice model and would encourage you to apply for our roles if you think you have the same values so we can continue with this approach to help empower Suffolk residents.
In Suffolk, we're transforming how we deliver Adult Social Care through our "People at the Heart of Care" programme. This puts people at the centre of their own care choices and decisions, from initial advice to assessments and self‑commissioning. Find out about our plans to transform Adult Social Care, by putting people at the heart of care.
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
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 are recruiting Social Workers to join our Learning Disability and Autism Service. In this role, you will 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 are 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.
Flexible Care and Support Team
The Flexible Care and Support Team plays a vital role in supporting adults to live as independently as possible. Working flexibly across services, the team provides responsive, person‑centred care and support tailored to individual needs, often at times of change or transition. By focusing on strengths, outcomes and short‑term interventions where appropriate, the team helps people maintain independence, reduce reliance on longer‑term support and achieve the outcomes that matter to them.
Complex Hospital Team
The Complex Hospital Team works with adults who have complex needs during their hospital stay and at key points of transition. The team plays a crucial role in supporting safe, timely discharges by working closely with health colleagues, families and wider partners to plan effective care and support. Using a strengths‑based, person‑centred approach, the team focuses on promoting independence, managing risk and ensuring people receive the right support at the right time to achieve positive outcomes beyond hospital.
Mildenhall Team
The Mildenhall Team supports adults across a wide geographical area, including Mildenhall, Brandon, Lakenheath and surrounding villages. Working closely with health colleagues, the team plays a key role in delivering integrated health and social care, ensuring people receive the right support at the right time. The team undertakes a broad range of work, including Care Act assessments, Mental Capacity Act assessments, safeguarding and complex casework, using a strengths‑based, person‑centred approach to promote independence, wellbeing and positive outcomes for the people we support.
Career development
Having developed and established an excellent career development pathway we will support you in your career development and choices. To ensure we offer our staff the best opportunities to progress we offer a minimum of six protected days for Social Workers to undertake continuous professional development; ensuring that you are given sufficient time and support to maintain registration with Social Work England.
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.
For more information
For an informal discussion about these roles, please contact Beverly Chambers by either emailing beverly.chambers@suffolk.gov.uk or by calling 01394 605058.
Visit our Social work in Adult Social Care careers pages.
How To Apply
Step 1 - Read the JPP (Job and Person Profile) (Word).
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 (Word).
* Tell us about a time you worked with a high‑risk or complex situation involving safeguarding. How did you assess and manage risk, and what was the outcome?
* Describe your experience of supervising, mentoring or supporting other social workers or staff. How do you promote reflective practice and learning?
* Give an example of how you have demonstrated anti‑discriminatory practice and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in your work.
* Explain how you keep your professional knowledge and skills up to date, including your approach to continuing professional development and evidence‑informed practice.
Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences, so we encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the process. You can also read our Using AI in Your Application and Interview guidance to understand acceptable and unacceptable use of AI. If AI is used inappropriately, your application may not be progressed.
Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at: recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If you're invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.
Closing date:11.30 pm, 19 April 2026.
Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.
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 (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.
About Us
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
* up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
* membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
* travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
* performance‑related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost‑of‑living pay increase
* training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
* a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
* diverse and active staff networks
* flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more! If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) .
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