Social Worker

Social Worker – Neighbourhoods Team, Taunton (Adults) – Somerset Council

Salary: £38,510 – £43,149 per annum (Grade 10)
Location: Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time, with flexible and hybrid working where service needs allow
Employer: Somerset Council
Reference: 1278/FG
Closing Date: 1 December 2026
Visa Sponsorship: Not available. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK without requiring visa sponsorship.

About the Role

Somerset Council is recruiting an experienced Social Worker to join its Adults Neighbourhood Team in Taunton.

The successful candidate will support adults, carers and families to live safely and independently in their homes and communities. You will manage a varied caseload, carry out assessments, develop care and support plans, and work collaboratively with health, housing and voluntary sector partners.

This role offers an opportunity to use your professional judgement, build meaningful relationships and help people achieve positive outcomes while maintaining their independence and dignity.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out strengths-based assessments of adults and carers, focusing on individual needs, independence and personal choices.
• Manage a varied caseload, responding to referrals, changing circumstances and crisis situations.
• Safeguard adults at risk of harm and undertake appropriate risk assessments.
• Develop, implement and review care and support plans.
• Work with health, housing, voluntary organisations and community partners to provide coordinated support.
• Support preventative approaches and safe, timely hospital discharges.
• Maintain accurate assessments, reports and professional records.
• Promote people’s rights, dignity, equality and independence.

Essential Requirements

Applicants must have:

• A recognised Social Work qualification.
• Current registration with Social Work England.
• Good knowledge of adult social care practice, relevant legislation and safeguarding.
• Experience in multidisciplinary social care and partnership working.
• Strong communication, assessment and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to manage and prioritise a demanding workload.
• Resilience, professional curiosity and a flexible, solution-focused approach.

Benefits

Somerset Council offers:

• 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Option to purchase additional annual leave.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements, subject to service requirements.
• Health and wellbeing support, including confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities.

Additional Information

• Regular travel is an essential part of the role.
• Applicants must have access to a vehicle for work purposes, including travel to locations not served by public transport.
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal background check is required.
• Reasonable adjustments are available for applicants with disabilities.
• Current Somerset Council employees must apply through the internal SuccessFactors careers page.
• The council reserves the right to close the vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.

Visa Sponsorship: Unfortunately, Somerset Council cannot offer visa sponsorship for this position. Only applicants who already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship will be considered.

Informal Enquiries

For an informal discussion about the position, contact:

Helen Readdy
Recruitment & Engagement Lead for Adult Services
Email: Helen.Readdy@somerset.gov.uk

Application Process

Interested applicants should review the full job description and submit their applications through the official Somerset Council recruitment portal.

Job Description: Adults Social Worker – Job Description (RP258), available through the official advert.

Closing Date: 1 December 2026

Apply early, as the vacancy may close before the advertised deadline if sufficient applications are received.