Social Work Professional Lead Advisor(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Automotive Jobs, Health and Care
Uk
January 7, 2026
Full Time Permanent
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Job Description

The Role

Defence Medical Services are seeking an experienced and highly credible Social Work Professional Lead Advisor (PLA) to provide senior professional leadership at DMRC Stanford Hall, the UK’s principal military rehabilitation centre.

This is a pivotal leadership and advisory role, combining strategic oversight, professional governance, safeguarding expertise, and multi-agency collaboration. You will act as the senior social work authority for the site, supporting high-quality patient care while guiding, mentoring and influencing multidisciplinary colleagues.

If you are a confident decision-maker with a strong professional presence and a passion for service improvement, this role offers the opportunity to make a real difference in a highly respected national organisation.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

As the Social Work Professional Lead Advisor, you will:

  • Lead and oversee a specialist hospital social work service at DMRC Stanford Hall
  • Act as the subject matter expert for professional social work practice
  • Champion professional standards, ethics, advocacy and continuous improvement
  • Provide guidance on education, training and professional supervision
  • Ensure robust business continuity and governance arrangements are in place
  • Promote strong collaboration with internal teams and external statutory agencies

Safeguarding & Specialist Responsibilities

You will be the single point of professional accountability for safeguarding matters at DMRC, including:

  • Safeguarding Children and Adults
  • PREVENT
  • Mental Capacity Act (MCA)
  • Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS)
  • Court of Protection applications
  • This includes representing the Ministry of Defence at Family Court proceedings, working closely with MOD legal advisers where required.

Leadership & Collaboration

You will:

  • Support clinical leaders and the Clinical Director with audits and service improvement
  • Participate in service reviews alongside other Professional Lead Advisors
  • Act as a key link with military welfare services and third-sector partners
  • Attend national and regional forums, including safeguarding and professional networks
  • Ensure patient information is managed lawfully and ethically, in line with Caldicott Principles and Defence Primary Healthcare policy
  • Contribute to professional cadre meetings and senior management forums

What We’re Looking For

Essential Qualifications & Registration

Experience & Expertise

Significant post-qualification experience in a hospital setting

Strong working knowledge of:

  • Mental Health Act
  • Mental Capacity Act
  • Care Act 2014
  • Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards / Best Interests
  • European Convention on Human Rights
  • Experience managing complex caseloads within multidisciplinary environments
  • Strategic experience developing long-term plans aligned to organisational priorities
  • Policy development and cross-department collaboration experience
  • Confidence leading meetings, governance forums and performance discussions
  • BIA qualification or willingness to train

Selection Process

Leadership

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Changing and Improving
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Working Together
  • Presentation / vignette (details provided at interview stage)
  • All examples must be drawn from your own professional experience. Misrepresentation or plagiarism may result in application withdrawal.

Pay, Benefits & Facilities

  • Civil Service Pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
  • Market Skills Allowance of £5,000 (pro rata for part time)
  • Tailored professional training and development
  • Free on-site parking
  • Access to gym, swimming pool and cinema
  • On-site café and shop
  • Generous family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity, adoption and parental leave

Security, Health & Eligibility

  • Appointment subject to Security Check (SC) clearance
  • DBS check required
  • Evidence of Hepatitis B immunity required (support available via Occupational Health)
  • Six-month Civil Service probation period applies to new entrants
  • This role does not offer visa sponsorship and applicants must already have the right to work in the UK

Equality, Inclusion & Values

The Ministry of Defence is committed to equality of opportunity and inclusive working practices. We are proud to support:

  • The Disability Confident Scheme
  • The Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative
  • Flexible working as standard where possible
  • We operate a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, discrimination and unacceptable behaviour.

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