Social Worker (Sponsorship Available) At Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Employer: Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Job Title: Social Worker
Location: United Kingdom
Salary: £39,152 to £41,771 a year
Job Type: Full-time
Closing Date: 03 June 2026

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a skilled and motivated Social Worker to join the Adult Front Door Team.

This team is the first point of contact for adults, families, and professionals, playing a vital role in delivering timely, proportionate, and strengths-based responses.

The role involves undertaking initial assessments, triage concerns, and making informed decisions in line with the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act, and safeguarding procedures to ensure adults receive the right support at the right time.

Main Duties of the Job

• Act as a first point of professional contact for adult social care referrals
• Undertake Care Act assessments and screenings
• Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns
• Apply legislation including the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies, families and professionals
• Provide clear analysis, decision making and accurate case recording
• Signpost, prevent, escalation and promote independence wherever possible

The role requires someone who is confident, proactive, and able to work well in a fast-paced environment.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Management

1. Ensure that people are fully involved and empowered throughout their contact with the service.
2. Ensure that the person is fully understood in order that the most appropriate tailored solutions can be offered.
3. Identify and address any system barriers which prevent the people from experiencing the most efficient and effective journey through the service.
4. Ensure that people are empowered, connected, independent and have an improved sense of well-being through the provision of outcome focused support.
5. Meet with people regularly to discuss their experiences of the service to drive further improvement.

Performance

1. Work to the teams operating purpose and principles to help individuals live the best lives they can, whilst working within the relevant processes, policies and procedures.
2. Fulfil the full range of the services statutory responsibilities with regard to individuals and carers who present with a need for care and support.
3. Assist with the allocation of referrals to the appropriate team member based on complexity of need, skills set required and worker capacity; escalate to senior social worker/team manager for action if capacity is not available as required.
4. Ensure that individuals are protected from abuse and neglect by undertaking investigations into Adult Safeguarding enquiries and completing written and verbal reports outlining findings/conclusions.
5. Where identified as the lead worker, be responsible for ensuring that the service meets what matters to each citizen.
6. Undertake work with individuals in situations of high risk or complexity, utilising a range of evidence based social work models and approaches.
7. Always seek to optimise the participation of citizens in the assessment and planning of support utilising the Mental Capacity Act where appropriate to support and underpin decision-making.
8. Help to develop the strengths and assets of individuals and their networks.
9. Act to effectively prevent, reduce or delay the need for care and support prior to longer term support services being put in place.
10. Ensure that the individual and/or their representative is fully aware of the financial implications of their care and support arrangements, arranging timely Financial Assessments and inputting service package details onto Care First.
11. Maintain electronic and professional records to demonstrate professional accountability and support performance reporting.
12. Provide guidance and support to unqualified colleagues, as required and within the remit of your role and experience.

Resource Management

1. Utilise the full range of council processes, policies and procedures that relate to the effective, safe and accountable operation of the business.
2. Contribute to the use of data to ensure that team resources are used effectively and efficiently.
3. Utilise evidence relating to personal and team performance to identify and address areas for development.

Communications

1. Obtain feedback from citizens on the effectiveness and quality of the service.
2. Contribute to the development of local networks and community resources by developing and maintaining effective partnerships with a range of professional, Third sector and citizen partners.
3. Contribute to the development of local networks and community resources by identifying resource gaps and seeking opportunities to address these.
4. Ensure specialist functions are pulled where appropriate to add value to the individual.
5. Contribute to the provision of information and advice to optimise individuals choice and control.
6. Contribute to the effective management of patient flow across the local Health and Social Care Economy by ensuring that individuals are tracked through and supported out of hospital settings in a proactive and timely manner; help to ensure that records showing patient status are kept up to date and accurate.

Culture

1. Demonstrate confident and critical application of professional ethics to decision making, using a legal and human rights framework, and support others to do so.
2. Model the social work role, promote social work and decision-making within and outside the organisation.
3. Use critical reflective skills in practice and supervision settings to enhance practice.
4. Promote positive approaches to diversity and identity in the area of responsibility, providing guidance and challenge as required.
5. Model and contribute to the development of best practice in use of power and authority within the sphere of influence. Provide challenge in situations where power is used inappropriately.
6. Model best practice, provide or seek out expert professional social work/legal advice, applying human and civil rights in complex situations where there are competing issues. Contribute to policy and practice developments to support service improvement.
7. Model and demonstrate professionalism, ensure professional social work standards are maintained throughout the area of responsibility.
8. Contribute to a work environment which promotes health, safety and wellbeing of self and others.
9. Establish a network of internal and external colleagues from whom to seek advice and support.
10. Be able to meet the requirements of the professional regulator.
11. Maintain awareness of professional limitations, knowledge gaps and conflicts of interest, actively seeking to address issues for self and others; escalate issues and concerns to the relevant manager where action is required beyond the remit/level of the Social Worker role.

About Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future.

Working for Stoke-on Trent City Council is more than just a job, it’s about making, protecting and improving the services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in the city.

Stoke-on-Trent City Councils diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource.

The skills, knowledge and experience of the council’s c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering ambitions and vision for the organisation and Stoke-on-Trent.

The council aims to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and deliver the high-quality services that residents need.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Have a recognised Social Work Qualification
• Be registered or in the process of registering with the HCPC
• Practice in accordance with HCPC standards at all times

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Demonstrate a high level of organisational skills; has Order as a strength being able to organise and plan activity with the team and coordinate complex actions
• Possess excellent verbal, written communication and analytical skills
• Have excellent skills in relevant IT systems e.g. Outlook, electronic records systems
• Be able to cover the whole geographic area of the city either by possession of a current and valid driving licence or by access to public or other transport

Experience

Essential

• Be able to demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement; constantly looking for better ways of doing things
• Has a proactive can-do attitude and willingness to contribute to ideas and suggestions
• Have a detailed understanding of Adults Safeguarding Principles and best practice
• Have a detailed understanding of key legislation and Guidance underpinning work with adults

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

How to Apply

If you’re interested in this role, visit the official website for more information — click here to apply now.