Adults Social Worker - Safeguarding

Salary: £38,626 - £41,511 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full time (37 hours per week)

Location: Horsham County Hall North - Hybrid working to be discussed at interview

About the Job

The Safeguarding Adults Hub providers the single point of access for all Safeguarding Adults. The referrals and queries that the Safeguarding Hub responds to cover the full spectrum of life across West Sussex.

You will work as part of a strong and dynamic social work service. In this role you will work with colleagues from all our statutory partners, providers and members of the public when reviewing and making vital decisions in relation to Safeguarding Adults.

An ability to rapidly risk assess situations and engage with people who may be in crisis is key to the role. You will utilise these skills to develop and implement effective plans of support, aimed at improving wellbeing and delivering better outcomes for people as well as contributing to and developing skills in safeguarding. The hub will triage all safeguarding referrals submitted to the Local Authority, initiate all safeguarding enquiries and develop initial safeguarding plans.

Hear from the team:

"The Adult Safeguarding Hub provides a team of highly supportive colleagues who genuinely care for and encourage each other on a daily basis. The team offers a range of training opportunities, with personal and career development promoted within the team. The role is dynamic and fast paced which provides a range of interesting experiences each day, and ongoing learning opportunities for practice."

Key Skills and Qualifications

For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.

Key Skills:

1. Experience of working proactively as a member of the team to make an accurate strengths-based assessment of needs and negotiate and implement effective plans and outcomes (in line with relevant legislation), working in partnership with carers, colleagues and a variety of external agencies to meet people's outcomes.
2. Experience of applying a risk enablement approach and using evidence-based practice.
3. Experience of analysis and interpretation of people related information and data to prioritise needs and formulate plans for intervention and service provision
4. Experience of contributing to or undertaking safeguarding enquiries
5. Ability to provide informal supervision and develop the capabilities of less experienced social care practitioners, and to mentor and coach students and apprentices
6. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a range of stakeholders to provide clear advice and guidance and interventions.
7. Ability to recognise the limits of own accountability and responsibility, know when to seek appropriate support, advice and supervision, and to prioritise and organise work and meet agreed performance expectations.
8. Sound and accurate IT skills to ensure effective record keeping, compliant with data protection and respecting confidentiality.

Qualifications and/or experience:

• A Degree in Social Work or a recognised equivalent Social Work qualification, e.g. Diploma in Social Work.
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Experience of undertaking assessments and social work intervention planning, implementation and review by means of creative and pragmatic solutions.
• Experience of working in partnership with those who access the service and maintaining a focus on the needs and strengths of the people, and the outcomes they want to achieve, whilst handling conflict and disagreement.
• Experience of managing risk within a risk enablement approach.
• Good, up-to-date working knowledge of relevant legislation, e.g. Care Act (2014), Mental Capacity Act (2005) etc.
• Valid, full driving licence. Desirable

Further Information

The reference number for this role is CAFHE05322.

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact the hiring manager . If you have any questions around your application or experience any issues whilst applying please contact

To apply, please follow the links below to upload your CV and complete the application form. In your application please outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills and detail how you meet this in full as you will be shortlisting on this element) ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to Social Work England registration, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.