Social Worker - Neighbourhoods Team, Taunton (Adults)

Salary: Grade 10 starting at £38,510 rising annually currently to £43,149 - per annum

Contract: Permanent

Location: Taunton

Hours: Full-time

Closing date: 01/12/2026

Transform lives, champion rights and support people stay independent, connected and in control of their lives.

If you’re an experienced Social Worker looking for your next opportunity, this is a chance to join a supportive Neighbourhood team where good social work starts with the person. You’ll have the opportunity to use your professional judgement, build meaningful relationships and work creatively with people and communities to achieve outcomes that really matter.

About the Role

Our Taunton Neighbourhood Team works alongside adults, carers, families and partner organisations to support people to live safely and independently within their own homes and communities.

As a Social Worker, you’ll undertake assessments of care and support needs and risk, manage a varied caseload and work with people to identify their strengths, networks and opportunities to achieve positive outcomes. You’ll work closely with colleagues across health, housing and voluntary and community services, responding to changing circumstances and situations where people may be at risk or in crisis.  

Our approach reflects Somerset Council - Vision Statement 2026-2030 and its ambition for“A fairer, better future”, putting people at the heart of what we do and helping residents to thrive, feel connected and live safely and well

How You'll Make a Difference

• Carry out strengths-based assessments with adults and carers, focusing on what matters to each person and supporting choice, independence and positive risk management.
• Manage a varied caseload, responding confidently to referrals, changing circumstances and people who may be experiencing crisis, while safeguarding those at risk of harm.
• Develop and review proportionate care and support plans, helping people draw on their own strengths, relationships and community resources wherever possible.
• Work collaboratively with health, housing, voluntary organisations and other partners to provide joined-up support, including preventative approaches that help people remain independent and support safe, timely hospital discharges.
• Build trusted professional relationships with adults, carers and families, maintaining high-quality records, assessments and reports while ensuring people’s rights, dignity, equality and individuality remain central to your practice.

What You'll Bring

• A recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Sound knowledge of adult social care practice, relevant legislation, safeguarding, risk assessment and person-centred practice.
• Relevant multi-disciplinary social care experience and evidence of effective partnership working with other agencies and professionals.
• Strong communication, assessment and relationship-building skills, with empathy, sensitivity and the ability to organise and prioritise a demanding workload effectively.
• Resilience, professional curiosity and a flexible, solution-focused approach, with the confidence to respond positively to difficult situations, embrace change and continue developing your practice.

We’re looking for someone who will work as one team, strive for excellence and build belonging. For us, that means listening to people, valuing different perspectives, sharing knowledge, building connections and being prepared to look beyond how things have always been done to find better solutions.

It also means treating people with dignity, respect, kindness and empathy, valuing individuality and creating an inclusive environment where everyone has a voice. 

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our 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

• 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 you 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 apply to this position. The role combines working independently and as part of a team, with work taking place across a range of settings according to service and individual needs.
• Regular travel is an essential part of the role, including travel to locations that may not be served by public transport. Applicants will therefore need access to/use of a vehicle for work purposes.
• We recognise and welcome applications from disabled people who may require reasonable adjustments and are happy to discuss these with you.
• This role requires a criminal background check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
• If you currently work for Somerset Council, please apply via the internal SuccessFactors careers page.
• We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a sufficient number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.

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

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.

You can find a copy of the job description here:  Adults Social Worker - Job Description - RP258.pdf 

Req: 1278/FG