About Us
West Sussex County Council is a diverse organisation that provides services to more than 850,000 residents. We are committed to fostering personal growth, with ongoing professional development and continuous learning at the heart of our culture.
Lifelong Services operate countywide, with teams based in each of the three main hubs within West Sussex. Our Lifelong Services Teams have a unique focus, supporting young people and adults with lifelong physical disabilities, learning disabilities, autism, and brain injuries acquired at an early age. We also work with adults with sensory impairments acquired at any age.
If you join us you will be welcomed into a supportive team who will encourage you to be the best colleague that you can be.
We aim to:
* Offer early intervention
* Build on an individual's strengths to develop skills and independence
* Build and promote links with the individual's community
* Promote and maintain safety and good health, and
* Promote employment and meaningful daily occupation.
Are you qualifying as a Social Worker and looking for that first step in your career? Or a qualified Social Worker looking to empower individuals and deliver person-centred care? Why not have a look at our dedicated careers in adults social work webpage and Adult social care strategy to learn more!
West Sussex County Council is proud to have an established programme in growing and developing our own Social Workers by providing the tools, knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this challenging yet highly rewarding career.
West Sussex County Council offers a comprehensive continuous professional development program; including support to progress to a Senior Social Worker within 2.5 years of qualification, Practice Educator, Best Interest Assessor and AMHP training.
About The Job
NQSW Salary: NJC grade 9 £36,363 to £39,152 per annum
Social Worker Salary: NJC grade 10 £39,862 to £42,839 per annum
Working Pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week
Contract Length: Permanent
Location: Office base Arun Civic Centre covering the surrounding areas
We're hiring for either a Social Worker or a Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) to join our friendly Lifelong Services team to commence the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment from September 2026.
As a NQSW/Social Worker within a busy community team, your role will involve working adults with lifelong disabilities, including physical and learning disability and autism. You will have a varied caseload, undertaking high quality assessments and reviews including mental capacity act assessments, responding to safeguarding enquiries and provide an accountable social care service to those people who access or need the service.
This is an excellent opportunity to make a significant difference to our service users lives, although challenging the rewards by far outweigh those challenges as you will always strive for a positive outcome. No two days will look the same; you'll be working in at various locations across Worthing, Shoreham, Lancing and Littlehampton with numerous colleagues and customers from all walks of life. You will need to take an organised approach whilst exercising your expertise with knowledge of policies and legislations to support those in need.
West Sussex County Council is proud to have an established programme in growing and developing our own Social Workers by providing the tools, knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this challenging yet highly rewarding career.
Once you have successfully completed your ASYE there will be continued support and development opportunities. We are passionate about career progression and have a range of opportunities from specialist roles to Senior Social workers.
Please note that if we receive a high volume of applications the advert may be closed earlier than the closing date.
Why choose West Sussex County Council?
* We will provide you with a full Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) which includes academic modules jointly delivered with our local partner University. These modules are specifically designed to provide the right support at the right time and are accredited at post graduate level.
* You will receive quality supervision within your team, fantastic group supervision with your peers, which offers opportunities to share learning with others at the same point in their career as you.
* You will be able to access support from specialists when you need it and a varied training offer to complement your 1-1 and peer supervision sessions. Our comprehensive programme of support for your ASYE will help you build firm foundations for a successful career in social work.
* Reflective and Best Practice groups held regularly.
* We promote Smarter Working practices, to empower staff as to how and when individuals work to meet their key responsibilities within the requirements and demands of their role.
* An opportunity to join us as Assistant Care Manager prior to your Social Work England Registration!
All West Sussex County Council (WSCC) employees have a WSCC location as their contractual work location, however we do operate a 'Smarter working' approach, this is something that you agree locally with your manager, for what works best for you, your role and your team.
For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.
Experience and Skills
Please refer to the Job Description for either the NQSW or Social Worker role for the essential criteria for each role. Within your application please ensure you tell us how you meet each of the key skills, qualification and experience criteria. Where possible give us examples relevant to the criteria point.
Further Information
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to Social Work England registration, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.
Equal Opportunities
West Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting an environment that is inclusive and free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of its people. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and take every possible step to ensure that no individual will be disadvantaged.
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