Social Worker (Sponsorship Available) at Somerset Council

Job Summary

The Hospital Interface Service (HIS) supports people throughout their hospital journey, from admission avoidance and assessment through to discharge planning and recovery. The successful candidate will work onsite at Musgrove Park Hospital alongside health colleagues, helping adults and carers make informed choices, maintain independence and achieve safe, timely outcomes.

This specialist area of practice brings together professional curiosity, strengths-based assessment, complex decision-making and close multidisciplinary working.

Hospital social work is fast-paced, visible and professionally demanding. The role involves balancing risk, rights, independence and timely decision-making, often while supporting people and families at pivotal moments. At the heart of Somerset Council’s approach is hopeful social work, challenging pessimism and focusing on strengths, possibilities and what matters to the person.

Somerset Council continually asks one key question:

“Why not home?”

The successful candidate will be joining HIS at an important point in its development, with the opportunity to contribute experience and ideas as the service strengthens and improves clarity, consistency and connection.

Job Details

• Employer: Somerset Council

• Job Title: Social Worker

• Location: Yeovil, England, United Kingdom

• Salary: £38,510 – £43,149 per annum

• Job Type: Full-time

• Closing Date: 25/11/2026

How You’ll Make a Difference

• Undertake strengths-based assessments of risk, independence, care and support needs, ensuring adults are protected from significant harm.

• Manage a varied caseload and respond to referrals, crises and changing circumstances with sound professional judgement.

• Work alongside health colleagues and partner agencies to support admission avoidance, hospital stays and safe, timely discharge planning.

• Complete carers’ assessments, care and support planning, reviews, reports and accurate case records in line with legislation and policy.

• Build effective relationships with adults, carers, families, health teams, housing, police, voluntary organisations and other partners.

• Contribute to multi-agency decision-making, team learning, service development and ongoing professional improvement.

What You’ll Bring

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

• Knowledge and understanding of adult social care practice, relevant legislation and the issues affecting adults and carers.

• Relevant multidisciplinary social care experience and evidence of effective partnership working with other agencies.

• The ability to prioritise competing demands, make defensible decisions and maintain high-quality, timely records.

• Empathy, sensitivity, resilience and the ability to respond positively in a fast-paced environment.

• Access to and use of a vehicle, as regular travel is an essential requirement of the role.

Why Join Somerset Council?

Somerset Council is a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for its communities. This role offers meaningful work, close multidisciplinary collaboration and the chance to develop hospital social work practice while helping people return safely to the lives that matter most to them.

Benefits include:

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

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

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

• Ongoing learning, professional development, coaching and career support.

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

• The opportunity to contribute to the continued development and improvement of HIS.

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

Further Information

• This is a hospital-based role and the successful candidate will be expected to work onsite at Musgrove Park Hospital.

• The role includes rotational Saturday working, typically one Saturday every 4 to 6 weeks, although this may vary according to service need and staffing levels.

• Regular travel across Somerset may be required, including to locations not well served by public transport.

• Applicants must have access to a vehicle for work purposes. Somerset Council welcomes conversations about reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants.

• This role requires a criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

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

Certificate of Sponsorship

Somerset Council may consider Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for suitably qualified overseas social workers who are already residing in the UK. Applicants must hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England. Sponsorship will be assessed as part of the recruitment process.

Somerset Council is unable to recruit directly from overseas or provide resettlement support.

Informal Enquiries

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Helen Readdy, Recruitmentn & Engagement Lead via email: Helen.Readdy@somerset.gov.uk

Diversity and Inclusion

Somerset Council believes diversity makes the organisation 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.