Social Worker (Sponsorship Available) at Somerset Council

Job Summary

Somerset Council’s Adults Neighbourhoods Team works alongside adults, carers, families and communities to promote independence, wellbeing and positive outcomes. The team begins with what matters to each person, recognising their strengths, relationships and community connections before considering formal support.

As a Social Worker, you’ll undertake strengths-based assessments, manage a varied caseload and support adults and carers to make informed choices about their lives.

Working collaboratively with health, housing, voluntary and community partners, you’ll help prevent needs from escalating, support safe and timely hospital discharges and enable people to remain safe and independent wherever possible.

This role directly supports Somerset Council’s vision of a fairer, better future, helping people live healthy, independent lives and remain connected to the relationships, networks and communities that matter to them.

Job Details

• Employer: Somerset Council

• Job Title: Social Worker

• Location: Shepton Mallet, Somerset, United Kingdom

• Salary: £38,510 – £43,149 per annum

• Job Type: Full-time

• Closing Date: 27 November 2026

How You’ll Make a Difference

• Complete strengths-based assessments that focus on what matters to people, recognising their abilities, relationships and opportunities to maintain or improve their independence.

• Assess and respond to care and support needs, risk and safeguarding concerns, promoting people’s rights, dignity, choice and control.

• Develop and review proportionate support plans with adults and carers, making effective use of community resources and reducing reliance on formal services wherever appropriate.

• Work collaboratively with health professionals, housing, voluntary organisations and other partners to provide coordinated support, prevent avoidable hospital admissions and enable safe, sustainable discharges.

• Manage a varied caseload, maintain accurate records and produce clear, high-quality assessments, reports and professional recommendations.

What You’ll Bring

• A recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.

• Sound knowledge of adult social care legislation, safeguarding, risk management and strengths-based practice.

• Experience of completing assessments and working collaboratively with adults, carers, professionals and partner organisations.

• Strong communication, relationship-building and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively to changing circumstances.

• Resilience, empathy and professional curiosity, alongside a creative approach to problem-solving and a commitment to continued learning and reflective practice.

Somerset Council is looking for someone who shares its commitment to working as one team, striving for excellence and building belonging. The successful candidate will listen to different perspectives, work openly with others and look for creative ways to achieve better outcomes for the people and communities supported.

Why Join Somerset Council?

Somerset Council is a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for its communities. Based in one of England’s most beautiful counties, it’s a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

Benefits include:

• 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK’s most enhanced and secure pension schemes.

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.

• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.

• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping employees make a difference both inside and outside of work.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/

Further Information

Somerset Council’s dynamic working arrangements will apply to this role.

Due to the community-based nature of the position, the successful candidate will work across a combination of locations, including people’s homes, community settings and Council offices.

Somerset is a large and predominantly rural county, with some areas not well served by public transport. Applicants will need access to a vehicle that can be used for work purposes and the ability to travel throughout the service area.

Somerset Council welcomes applications from disabled people and is happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to support applicants in meeting the travel requirements of the role.

This role requires a criminal background check through the Disclosure and Barring Service.

If you currently work for Somerset Council, please apply through the internal SuccessFactors careers page.

Somerset Council reserves the right to close this advert early if it receives a sufficient number of applications, so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Somerset Council may consider offering Skilled Worker visa sponsorship to suitably qualified overseas Social Workers who are already residing in the UK.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Hold a recognised Social Work qualification.

• Be registered with Social Work England.

Sponsorship will be assessed as part of the recruitment process.

Unfortunately, Somerset Council is unable to provide resettlement support, so this opportunity is only available to candidates currently living in the UK.

Informal Enquiries

For an informal chat about the role, applicants can contact:

Contact: Helen Readdy, Recruitment & Engagement Lead for Adult Services

Email: Helen.Readdy@somerset.gov.uk

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Somerset Council believes diversity makes it stronger and is committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

The Council welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help it better serve the people of Somerset.

How to Apply

If this opportunity interests you, head to the company’s official website for full details — click here to submit your application.