6 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• Locum Adult Social Worker within the East Dorset Locality Team, supporting adults in the community with a range of care and support needs.
• Responsible for managing complex adult social care cases, delivering strengths-based assessments and outcome-focused support planning.
• Working within a local authority environment, applying relevant legislation including the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and safeguarding frameworks.
• Role involves community-based work, hybrid working, and regular office attendance in Ferndown.
• Focused on promoting independence, managing risk, and achieving positive outcomes for adults and carers.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Complete strengths-based Care Act assessments, reviews, and personalised support plans.
• Manage a complex caseload of adults with varying levels of need and risk.
• Undertake community visits and home assessments across the East Dorset locality.
Lead and contribute to Court of Protection work, including capacity assessments, Best Interest decisions, and report writing.
• Undertake and support safeguarding enquiries, applying Making Safeguarding Personal principles.
• Assess and manage risk, implementing proportionate and legally compliant interventions.
• Work collaboratively with health professionals, carers, families, and partner agencies.
• Provide information, advice, and signposting to promote independence and prevent escalation of needs.
• Monitor, review, and evaluate the effectiveness of care and support plans.
• Maintain high-quality, timely case recording in line with local authority standards.
• Attend supervision, team meetings, and case discussions as required.
• Work flexibly within a hybrid working model, attending the office a minimum of two days per week.
• Ensure practice reflects equality, diversity, and inclusion principles.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, policy, and best practice.
• Contribute positively to team working and service delivery within Adult Social Care.
Skills/Experience:
• Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
• Significant experience working within Adult Social Care, ideally in a local authority setting.
• Strong working knowledge of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act, and adult safeguarding legislation.
• Proven experience managing complex adult cases.
• Essential experience completing Court of Protection assessments and reports.
• Confident in undertaking community-based social work, including home visits.
• Strong assessment, analytical, and risk management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively to a locality team.
• Experience using electronic case management systems.
• Organised, resilient, and able to prioritise workload effectively.
Additional Information:
• Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
• Location: Ferndown, Dorset.
• Hours: 37 hours per week.
• Working Pattern: Hybrid (minimum 2 days per week in the office).
• An Enhanced DBS check is required.