Location
Kingston upon Thames, Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£52,194 per annum

About the Borough
Found in zone 6 with good transport links in and out of London, Kingston is a vibrant and diverse university town which creates a rich sense of community shared across the borough and its residents. Kingston boasts an idyllic riverside location, good shopping and great restaurants, as well as a mix of modern and historic town centre. The borough has lots of open parklands and cycle routes that help connect the district town centres into an enjoyable place to live and work.

About the Service and Team
The Royal Borough of Kingston’s vision is to have a national reputation as one of the very best places to live and work. An opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and committed Main Grade Social Worker to join our Surbiton and Chessington Locality Team. The post holder will make a major contribution to delivering this vision and the strategic priorities set out in the Kingston Plan by providing effective management of professional case management.
The team offers an excellent opportunity for a practitioner to take their practice to a new level, working with internal and external partners to promote positive outcomes for individuals. This includes being proactive in preventing harm to adults at risk. The North Locality Team serves adults living in the northern part of the borough, focusing on supporting vulnerable adults.
Our involvement is proactive and empowering, focusing on liaising with individuals and their carers soon after referral to assess needs and create effective outcome-focused support plans. We work closely with the Reablement service to maximise independence, choice and quality of life. To promote a flexible, seamless service and offer continuity where required, we provide targeted ongoing support. Team members manage a varied caseload and utilise support from the separate Access team and other professionals.

About the Role and Our Ideal Candidate
The main responsibilities include:
- Carrying a caseload including cases with high levels of risk
- Undertaking safeguarding investigations and attending case conferences when required
- Managing a range of case work for customers with non-complex needs under manager supervision
- Accepting referrals, undertaking screening, providing information and advice, and carrying out initial assessments
- Reviewing customers with long-term, low-level needs within statutory timelines and carrying out reassessments as required
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
- Strong assessment and case management skills

Our Offer to You
We are committed to helping you fulfil your potential by offering a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow your career and skills. We encourage ideas and innovation, supported by a dynamic and experienced management team.
Benefits include:
- Generous annual leave entitlement of 25-32 days plus bank holidays (pro-rata if part-time)
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, adoption and dependents leave
- Three volunteering days per year in Kingston
- Hybrid working (dependent on role)
- Flexible and agile working arrangements using Google Chromebooks
- Learning and development portal with a range of courses
- Discounts on local shops, restaurants, gyms and leisure centres
- Interest free season ticket loans
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Bicycle loan facilities and cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle leasing scheme
- Confidential health, wellbeing and counselling support

Application Process
Apply online outlining your skills, abilities and experience that make you an ideal candidate. Please refer to the job profile requirements and ensure your CV details are uploaded correctly.
We value authenticity and expect personalised responses. Applications relying solely on AI-generated content without personalisation may be rejected. We embrace transparency and our STAR values throughout the recruitment process.
The closing date is indicative; we reserve the right to close the vacancy once sufficient applications are received. Early application is advised.
We anonymise applications to reduce bias and encourage diverse interview panels. We are committed to removing barriers and enhancing workforce diversity.

Additional Information
We are proud to be a diverse and welcoming borough, striving to create a workforce that reflects our community. We celebrate differences and welcome applications from underrepresented groups.
We offer family-friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums and inclusive staff networks.
We are a disability confident employer and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants meeting the minimum criteria. As an accredited London Living Wage Employer, all employees receive the London Living Wage regardless of contract type.
Note on sponsorship: The UK points-based immigration system affects EU and Non-EU workers. Sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility and budget. We cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and assess requests case-by-case.

Experience
Experience working with vulnerable adults and managing a varied caseload is desirable. Ability to undertake safeguarding investigations and case management under supervision is required.

About you
You will have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with strong assessment and case management abilities. You should be motivated, committed and able to work collaboratively with internal and external partners to promote positive outcomes for individuals.

Qualifications
A Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England are essential for this role.