Are you ready to lead, influence and inspire real change in Adult Social Care?
If yes, we have an exciting opportunity for you!
A rare and highly rewarding position has become available for a Principal Social Worker at Southwark Council. This is your chance to lead excellence in practice assurance, guide safeguarding and DoLS initiatives and influence national conversations in social work. If you're ready to make a lasting impact in Southwark, we’d love to hear from you!
About the Role:
As the Principal Social Worker, you will play a key strategic role within Southwark’s Adult Social Care division. Working at the heart of the Service Development Team, you will oversee governance arrangements related to adult safeguarding, ensuring that vulnerable adults are protected from harm and abuse.
You will also serve as the council’s Principal Social Worker for Adults, championing high-quality, evidence-based practice and leading on quality assurance processes. Your leadership will be vital in ensuring compliance with statutory duties, particularly regarding safeguarding, DoLS, and broader social care legislation. As part of the senior management team, you’ll ensure that the voice of frontline practitioners informs decision-making, innovation and continuous improvement throughout the division.
About You:
We are looking for an inspirational leader with extensive experience in adult social care, especially across diverse service areas. You should bring:
- Expertise in Practice and Safeguarding/DoLS: A strong track record in these key areas is essential.
- Mentoring and Guidance Skills: The ability to support and develop practitioners, particularly through the apprentice/ASYE programme.
- Proven Leadership: The experience to manage teams effectively, drive performance and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement.
- Strategic Thinking: A solid understanding of the challenges facing local government and the ability to navigate them.
- Collaborative Approach: Skilled in building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders to enhance service delivery.
- Commitment to Person-Centred Care: Ensuring services empower individuals and promote independence.
- Innovative Problem-Solving: A creative, data-driven approach to improving service outcomes.
About the Service:
Southwark’s Adult Social Care division is dedicated to supporting residents in leading independent and fulfilling lives. We focus on:
- Strengths-based, personalised care in alignment with the Care Act 2014
- Strong leadership in safeguarding and quality assurance, with oversight of the Safeguarding and DoLS team
- Collaborative work with internal and external partners to enhance outcomes for residents
- Driving service innovation through proactive leadership and continuous improvement
For detailed qualifications and requirements, please refer to the job description and person specification at the bottom of the advert.
Contact Information:
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Karen Crane via email at Karen.Crane@southwark.gov.uk
Additional Information:
- A recognised social work qualification is required.
- Must be registered with Social Work England.
- Working hours: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
- Contract type: Permanent.
- DBS check required.
Benefits and more information:
https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/
Recruitment Timeline:
- Advert close date: 11:59pm on Tuesday 27th May 2025
- Shortlisting date/s: Friday 30th May 2025
- Interview date/s: Thursday 5th June 2025
The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme:
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
About Southwark:
We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises, and we have a young, diverse and growing population.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.
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