About the Role and our Ideal CandidateAre you an experienced and skilled social work leader looking for a challenging and rewarding role? We are seeking a Principal Social Worker and Head of Workforce Development, Practice and Quality Assurance to join our team in Kingston. This is a permanent position.

As the statutory Principal Social Worker (Care Act S1.27), you will be accountable for ensuring the highest standards of social work practice are embedded across the service.

A core part of the role is ensuring adherence to complex social work functions related to The Care Act, The Mental Capacity Act, and the Mental Health Act. You will also play a strategic leadership role in preparing for and adhering to the CQC regulatory assurance framework. This will involve leading on practice quality assurance and workforce development.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead adult social work practice and adult social care practice for other professionals.

Develop, lead, and implement robust quality assurance systems and processes.

Lead on the professional development of all social care staff, including social workers and managers.

Advise senior leadership on complex safeguarding, as well as other complex and potentially controversial cases.

Champion the rights of citizens and lead on effective anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice.

Act as an ambassador for the Council, forming strategic alliances and developing effective working relationships locally, regionally, and nationally.

Oversee the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) program and the Social Work Apprenticeship program.

About You

The ideal candidate will have a recognised Social Work qualification, be registered with Social Work England, and have extensive post-qualifying experience. You will need strong leadership skills, a high level of confidence, and the ability to challenge and influence at all levels. The role requires detailed knowledge of relevant legislation, research, and professional competency frameworks. You should also have management experience across a range of roles and experience as a practice educator or supervisor.

You must be able to work in a complex and challenging environment, demonstrating analytical skills, sensitivity, and political awareness. Excellent negotiation skills and the ability to find solutions where conflicting factors exist are essential.

If you are a dynamic and experienced leader ready to make a significant impact on adult social care, we encourage you to apply. If you would like an informal discussion, please contact katie.o''driscoll@kingston.gov.uk.

About UsHealth and Adult Social Care in Kingston has a key vision - Working together to make a positive difference. This includes how we work to:

Listen and understand our residents, focusing on their strengths, maximising prevention and independenceValue and support our workforceWork in collaboration, delivering joined up care and supportInnovate and learnPromote financial sustainabilityThe key component to this is putting residents at the heart of what we do.

As the Principal Social Worker, you will be a key member of the senior management team, acting as a change agent and contributing to the strategic leadership of services. You will report directly to the Director for Adult Social Care Operations and Transformation, with a dotted line to the Executive Director of Health and Adult Social Care.

You will have three reporting lines including the Learning and Development Officers and Practice Lead. Your role will lead on practice development, service learning and development, quality assurance and workforce.

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