Job description
We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Social Worker (PSW) to join the Adult Social Care team at Reading Borough Council. In this pivotal role, you will lead the delivery of high-quality social care, ensuring the best outcomes for individuals through strengths-based assessments.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle with a mixture of home working and access to an office based in the centre of Reading.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

We are looking for an inspirational, innovative and dedicated leader with significant knowledge and expertise in the practice and delivery of social work for adults. As the Principal Social Worker, you will have a strong commitment to supporting the life that matter to you - Reading’s Adult Social Care’s vision. At Reading we strive for excellence, we have an ambitious experienced leadership team who value the critical role of the Principal Social Worker.
As our Principal Social Worker you will provide leadership and professional support to social workers and be responsible for the development of social work practice and practice systems, promoting best practice which positively supports practitioners and the Council to meet the needs of people who draw on care and support in Reading.
You will work closely with senior leaders, frontline teams, and key stakeholders to develop policy, improve standards, and support social workers in their professional development.
Key areas of the role are ensuring best practice, scrutiny and assurance, reporting to the Deputy Director, as well as meeting regularly with the Executive Director for Communities and Adult Social Care.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A Social Work England registration and a recognised Social Work qualification.
• Extensive experience in Adult Social Care, with a strong track record in leadership and practice improvement.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant legislation, policy, and best practice in social work.
• Strong influencing, communication, and partnership-working skills.
• A commitment to embedding strengths-based, person-centred practice to achieve positive outcomes