Exeter
If so, we’d love you to join us as an Advanced Social Worker.
As an Advanced Social Worker, you will play a pivotal role in leading and supporting high‑quality, evidence‑based social work practice. Working closely with the Team Manager, you will provide professional leadership, mentoring, and support to colleagues, ensuring excellent outcomes for the people we support.
This is a role for someone with substantial post‑qualifying experience who wants to combine complex casework, practice leadership, and team development.
You will:
- Take a lead role in supervising, coaching and guiding less experienced practitioners, students, and unqualified staff.
- Support day‑to‑day operational activity, including oversight of complex cases, performance, and practice standards.
- Champion reflective practice, research‑informed work, and continuous professional learning.
- Develop areas of expertise, sharing learning across the service.
- Provide expert input into complex assessments, risk analysis, court work, and key decision-making.
- Contribute to service improvement, quality assurance, and the development of social work practice county‑wide.
What we are looking for
We’re seeking someone who can demonstrate:
- Substantial post‑qualifying experience as a Social Worker.
- Proven competence aligned with the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) at Advanced Social Worker level.
- Strong skills in supervision, coaching, mentoring and reflective practice.
- Excellent assessment, analytical and decision‑making abilities, particularly in complex situations.
- High‑quality communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Confidence in working with multi‑agency partners and within court environments.
- A passion for developing practice, promoting professional standards, and driving improvement.
- Registration with the relevant regulatory body and a recognised Social Work qualification.
Practice Educator training and/or AMHP/BIA qualifications are beneficial, though not essential
Why Join Devon County Council?
Working for Devon means making a difference every day. You will be part of a supportive, reflective and forward‑thinking organisation committed to:
- High‑quality practice
- Professional development
- Strong supervision frameworks
- Career progression opportunities
- A culture of learning, curiosity, and collaboration
Does the job role include personal care?: No
Working Patterns:
TBC
Essential details:
How to apply
Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria as described in the person specification of the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.
Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service details to log in and apply.
For an informal discussion, please contact
Victoria Milton - Victoria.Milton@devon.gov.uk
- DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
- Happy to Talk Flexible Working -The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
- This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
- Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
- For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
- This role requires a DBS disclosure.
- This role requires Social Work England Registration (SWE).