Overview
Our Benefits
You can also see our full list of employee benefits on our careers site here: Why you should work for us | West Northamptonshire Council.
About the role
“The best social work happens when experienced practitioners are trusted to do what they do best.”
At West Northamptonshire Council, we’re creating an environment where social workers can focus on meaningful practice, build strong relationships and use their expertise to achieve better outcomes for adults and their families.
West Northamptonshire Council’s Adult Social Care service has undergone significant change since becoming a unitary authority in 2021, creating opportunities to deliver more responsive, strengths based services that are rooted in local communities. Our focus is simple: helping people achieve the outcomes that matter most to them while promoting independence, wellbeing and choice.
As a Social Worker, you’ll join a service that values professional expertise and recognises the difference experienced practitioners make. You’ll have the opportunity to work with adults presenting with a wide range of needs, applying your skills to complex situations, building meaningful relationships and delivering person centred support that has a lasting impact.
We’re looking for social workers who want to be part of a service that is continually developing, where professional judgement is trusted, collaboration is encouraged, and good practice is recognised and valued.
This is an opportunity to bring your experience, shape outcomes, and be part of a team where your contribution genuinely matters.
Working pattern
9am to 5pm with flexible and part time options available.
Please note: A driving licence and access to your own transport is required.
What will you be doing?
As a Social Worker at West Northamptonshire Council, you’ll play a vital role in supporting adults to live safe, independent and fulfilling lives. Working with individuals, families and carers, you’ll use your expertise to understand people’s strengths, identify risks and develop solutions that promote positive outcomes.
You’ll manage a varied caseload, undertaking strengths based assessments, developing outcome focused support plans and supporting people through periods of change, complexity and uncertainty. You’ll be trusted to apply professional judgement, make informed decisions and lead safeguarding enquiries where appropriate.
Working alongside colleagues across health, housing and the voluntary sector, you’ll help deliver coordinated support that reflects the needs of the individual rather than the boundaries of organisations. Whether navigating complex situations, managing risk or advocating for those who need it most, your work will make a tangible difference every day.
Career development and progression
At West Northamptonshire Council, we’re committed to helping experienced social workers build rewarding, long term careers. From your first day, you’ll receive a structured induction and the support needed to settle confidently into your role and team.
We offer:
• Ongoing professional development and tailored learning opportunities
• Access to specialist practice areas and development pathways
• Opportunities to progress your career, including AMHP training (for Social Workers with 2+ years post qualification experience)
We want our practitioners to continue growing, developing their expertise and achieving their professional ambitions.
Rewards and benefits
Alongside professional development opportunities, we offer a range of benefits designed to support and reward our workforce.
• Eligibility for a retention and experience payment scheme (subject to criteria)
• Paid Social Work England registration
• Access to Community Care Inform, providing the latest research, legislation updates and practice guidance
About you
You’ll be a qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England, with substantial experience within Adult Social Care and a strong commitment to delivering high quality, person centred practice.
You’ll bring confidence in managing complex cases and competing priorities, along with the ability to build trusting relationships and make sound professional decisions in challenging situations. You’ll be passionate about promoting independence, safeguarding vulnerable adults and achieving meaningful outcomes through strengths based practice.
We’re particularly interested in hearing from experienced practitioners who are looking for a role where they can use their expertise, influence positive change and continue developing their careers.
We’re looking for individuals who:
• Have significant experience managing complex and varied adult social care caseloads
• Demonstrate strong assessment, analysis and decision making skills
• Take a proactive, solution focused approach to achieving positive outcomes
• Are confident applying strengths based and person centred approaches to practice
• Thrive in a dynamic environment and adapt positively to changing demands
• Build effective partnerships across health, housing, community organisations and the voluntary sector
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills, professional curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning
It would be great (but not essential) if you also have, or are working towards, additional qualifications or areas of expertise such as:
• Best Interests Assessor (BIA)
• Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)
• Practice Educator
Above all, you’ll be a committed and resilient practitioner who wants to make a genuine difference, while being part of a service that values your experience, supports your development and trusts your professional judgement.
About us
We’re a new council, following one of the largest shake-ups in local government
reform in recent history. As a new authority, we’re embarking on an exciting journey
to deliver exceptional services for our residents, customers and
communities.
Our vision at West Northamptonshire Council is ‘to make West Northants a great
place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to
make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance,
Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver
services.
At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with
ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail,
and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A
place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-
minded people.
When potential is unlocked, talent thrives.
Choose a career that offers you a true sense of achievement, fills you with pride and
challenges you in a positive way, every day.
West Northants Council, where careers thrive.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
