Social Worker Visa Sponsorship UK

Job Description

Employer: Somerset Council
Location: Taunton, TA1 4DY, UK
Job Reference: 1402/FG
Posted: 23 September 2026
Closing Date: 21 October 2026
Contract: Full-time, 37 hours per week
Salary: £38,510 to £43,149 per year, with annual progression
Annual Leave: 30 days

Make a Difference to Adults Across Somerset

Somerset Council is looking for a qualified Social Worker to join its Mental Health Social Care Service in Taunton. This position is suited to an experienced practitioner who is ready for their next professional challenge, although applications from newly qualified social workers will also be considered.

The role focuses on helping adults live as independently as possible, remain connected to their communities and achieve outcomes that matter to them. The service takes a strengths-based approach, working alongside individuals and families to understand their circumstances, identify existing support and find practical solutions that reflect their personal goals.

Your Role

As an Adults Social Worker, you will assess the care, support and safeguarding needs of adults and carers within your allocated caseload. You will consider risks, identify appropriate interventions and make sure support arrangements are regularly reviewed.

Your responsibilities will include:

– Carrying out person-centred assessments and reassessments.
– Identifying risks and taking appropriate safeguarding action where necessary.
– Supporting adults to maintain or develop independence.
– Managing cases with different levels of complexity.
– Responding to referrals and determining appropriate support.
– Working directly with individuals, families and other professionals when assessing needs.
– Completing statutory reviews in line with relevant legislation.
– Preparing accurate assessments, reports, records and professional statements.
– Supporting colleagues and partner agencies with information needed for care-related decisions.
– Responding appropriately to urgent or crisis situations.
– Working sensitively with people who may be reluctant to accept support.
– Building effective relationships with health, housing, police and other local services.
– Taking part in multidisciplinary meetings and partnership work.
– Contributing to service development, improved practice and policy work.
– Keeping your professional knowledge current through research, training and continuing development.

Working in Mental Health Social Care

You will become part of Somerset’s Mental Health Social Care Service, where Social Workers, Adult Social Care Practitioners and Advanced Practitioners work collaboratively to support adults throughout the county.

The inpatient service operates across NHS psychiatric hospitals in Somerset and helps people receive appropriate care and support as they work towards discharge.

Community Mental Health Social Care Teams operate across different areas of Somerset, allowing practitioners to work closely with people in their own communities.

The wider service is also supported by a Practice Development Advanced Practitioner who helps colleagues strengthen their practice through learning, training, professional guidance and updates relating to Adult Social Care.

The environment can be busy and demanding, but the service promotes a supportive team culture where colleagues work together and enjoy their work.

What You Need

Applicants should hold a recognised Social Work qualification, such as a BA in Social Work, Master’s degree in Social Work or an equivalent qualification, and must be registered with Social Work England.

Newly qualified Social Workers are also welcome to apply.

You should have a sound understanding of adult social care practice, relevant legislation and Social Work England standards. Experience of multidisciplinary working and collaboration with other organisations will be valuable.

The successful applicant should be able to:

– Manage competing priorities and deadlines.
– Organise and manage a varied caseload effectively.
– Work independently while knowing when to seek advice.
– Remain resilient when dealing with challenging circumstances.
– Communicate with empathy and sensitivity.
– Demonstrate self-awareness and respect for different perspectives.
– Adapt positively to organisational and service changes.
– Work constructively with professionals from different services.

Experience That Will Support Your Application

The role requires knowledge of social care practice and the wider legal and policy framework affecting adult social services.

Experience in multidisciplinary social care environments is relevant, particularly where you have worked with health services, voluntary organisations, education or other partner agencies.

Experience of working with people with learning disabilities, previous work alongside health professionals and supervisory experience would also be useful.

An understanding of social care resources outside statutory services and awareness of changes to government guidance and social care legislation are additional strengths.

Essential Requirements

– Recognised Social Work qualification.
– Current registration with Social Work England.
– Knowledge of relevant social care legislation and professional practice.
– Ability to communicate fluently in English in accordance with applicable requirements.
– Ability to prioritise and manage competing demands.
– Empathy, sensitivity and professional self-awareness.
– Resilience and the ability to respond constructively to difficult situations.
– Willingness to adapt to organisational change.
– Access to a vehicle that can be used for work purposes.

Travel Requirement

Somerset is a predominantly rural county and some areas have limited public transport. Because the service operates across different locations, the ability to travel to various parts of the county is an essential part of the position.

Applicants are therefore expected to have full access to a vehicle suitable for work-related travel.

Somerset Council welcomes applications from disabled candidates who may require reasonable adjustments in relation to this requirement. Adjustments can be discussed with the recruitment team from the earliest stage of the application process.

Visa Sponsorship

Somerset Council may consider Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for suitably qualified overseas Social Workers who are already living in the UK.

To be considered, applicants must have a recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England. Any sponsorship decision will be made during the recruitment process.

Please note that the council is unable to provide resettlement support, so sponsorship is only available to eligible candidates who are currently residing in the UK.

Why Join Somerset Council?

This role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to adult social care while helping people achieve greater independence and positive outcomes.

You will work within a multidisciplinary environment, develop your professional skills and contribute to the ongoing improvement of mental health social care services across Somerset.

Informal Enquiries

For an informal discussion about the position, contact:

Helen Readdy
Recruitment and Engagement Officer – Adults
helen.readdy@somerset.gov.uk

The council reserves the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date if enough applications are received.

Current Somerset Council employees: Please submit your application through the internal SuccessFactors careers system.

A complete job description is available under: Adults Social Worker – Job Description – RP258.