Social Worker – Adult Safeguarding

Our client, based in Devon, is seeking experienced Adult Social Workers to join their Safeguarding Adults Service on a project basis. The service receives and responds to safeguarding adult referrals across the county and is currently delivering key improvement initiatives aimed at strengthening safeguarding capacity and ensuring timely, proportionate interventions.

Successful candidates will work within specialist project teams focused on either triaging and progressing low-level safeguarding concerns or undertaking more complex safeguarding enquiries requiring multi-agency collaboration. This is an excellent opportunity for highly experienced practitioners with strong safeguarding expertise who can work autonomously, demonstrate sound professional judgement, and contribute to a positive and supportive team environment.

You will work alongside Social Care Assessors, Social Workers, Advanced Practitioners and Team Managers, supporting the effective delivery of safeguarding services while maintaining a person-centred and strengths-based approach throughout practice.

In addition to managing complex safeguarding work, you will provide leadership, guidance and support to colleagues, assist with the day-to-day operational management of workloads and waiting lists, and deputise for the Team Manager where required.

What you'll be doing

• Managing and progressing safeguarding adult referrals in line with the Care Act 2014 and local safeguarding procedures.
• Undertaking safeguarding enquiries and coordinating proportionate responses to protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect.
• Completing comprehensive assessments, risk assessments and safeguarding interventions to achieve positive outcomes for service users.
• Conducting Mental Capacity Assessments and applying the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• Contributing to Best Interests decision-making processes and supporting Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) work where required.
• Providing professional support, advice and guidance to Social Workers, Social Care Assessors and wider team members.
• Supporting the day-to-day management of waiting lists and reviewing functions to ensure timely service delivery.
• Assisting with the operation of the safeguarding duty service and helping to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Working collaboratively with health professionals, police, care providers and other partner agencies to coordinate safeguarding responses.
• Making defensible decisions based on sound assessment, evidence, legal literacy and professional judgement.
• Maintaining accurate, timely and high-quality case recordings, reports and safeguarding documentation.
• Promoting person-centred, strengths-based and outcome-focused practice across all areas of work.
• Contributing to service improvements and supporting safeguarding development initiatives.
• Providing supervision, mentoring and support to less experienced practitioners where appropriate.
• Deputising for the Team Manager as required, supporting operational oversight and team performance.
• Working autonomously while adapting quickly to changing demands and workload priorities.

What we're looking for

Qualifications

• MA, BA or BSc in Social Work, Diploma in Social Work or CQSW.
• Registration
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Experience
• Minimum 5 years' post-qualifying experience as a Social Worker.
• Significant experience within Adult Safeguarding services.
• Experience undertaking complex safeguarding enquiries and risk management.
• Experience completing Mental Capacity Assessments and Best Interests decisions.
• Experience supporting colleagues through supervision, mentoring or practice leadership.
• Experience working within multi-agency environments and collaborating with partner organisations.
• Experience managing high workloads within fast-paced safeguarding services.
• Legislation Knowledge
• Strong working knowledge of: Care Act 2014.
• Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
• Human Rights Act 1998.
• Adult Safeguarding legislation, policies and procedures.
• Relevant statutory guidance and safeguarding frameworks.
• Skills
• Excellent safeguarding assessment and risk management skills.
• Strong legal literacy and ability to apply legislation confidently in practice.
• Ability to make sound and defensible decisions in complex situations.
• Effective leadership, mentoring and supervision skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage waiting lists and service priorities.
• Excellent communication and multi-agency partnership working abilities.
• Ability to work independently and adapt quickly within a changing environment.
• High standard of written recording, report writing and case management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to person-centred, strengths-based practice.
• Why join this team?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a highly regarded safeguarding service at a time of significant development and improvement. You will play a key role in protecting vulnerable adults, working on meaningful safeguarding projects while collaborating with experienced professionals across health, social care and partner agencies. The role offers a varied caseload, complex decision-making opportunities and the chance to positively influence safeguarding outcomes across Devon.

Why Liquid Personnel?

• Free DBS and compliance service
• Twice weekly payroll and ‘Faster Pay’ service, getting you paid more quickly
• Access to exclusive roles that aren’t available from other agencies
• Free access to Liquid’s exclusive social work training and CPD portal
• Your own dedicated consultant with extensive social work knowledge
• Access to a wide selection of social work positions across the UK
• “Refer a Friend” bonus – get £500 for each social worker you refer who we successfully place*
• “Find your own job” bonus – get £250 for bringing your own position to us *

Liquid Personnel is an equal opportunities employer. Liquid Personnel Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. * Terms and conditions apply to our bonus schemes.

Reasonable Adjustments:

If you consider yourself to have a disability or require any reasonable adjustment during the recruitment process or within the workplace, please highlight this at the earliest opportunity by contacting our team. With this information, we will provide appropriate support to you throughout the process and into your work placement.

We are unable to support or accept applications from candidates who are residents within the Red or Amber list of the Code of practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel in England, based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Workforce Support and Safeguard List.

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