All LocationsAll Locations:
Dorchester
Advertising SalarySalary Details:
£35,412 - £40,777
What is the vacancy type for this advertVacancy Type:
Permanent
Function:
Health and Social Care - Adults
EmployerEmployer:
Dorset Council
Job Working PatternJob Working Pattern:
Full time

About the role

This is an exciting time to be joining the Adult Safeguarding Service, and we are pleased to be recruiting two full time Level 2 Social Workers to join our Adult Safeguarding Triage Hub.

This is a fast‑paced and dynamic role, based at the front door of safeguarding, where timely decision‑making and high‑quality professional judgement make a real difference to adults at risk.

The Adult Safeguarding Team is a highly supportive and collaborative team, with a strong emphasis on shared learning, reflective practice and professional development. The role offers an excellent opportunity to build and strengthen safeguarding expertise, with clear pathways for progression and future development within the service.

As a Social Worker within the Triage Hub, you will be responsible for screening new safeguarding referrals, gathering and analysing information, and identifying and responding to immediate and emerging risks. You will determine appropriate next steps, including whether safeguarding enquiries under Section 42 are indicated, and ensure proportionate and timely risk management actions are put in place. This will involve sharing information and working closely with partner agencies, including Police, Health, Housing and other relevant organisations, to ensure adults are safe and supported.

We work firmly within the principles of Making Safeguarding Personal, ensuring that the views, wishes and desired outcomes of adults remain central to all decision‑making, even in a fast‑moving triage environment. You will be expected to exercise sound professional judgement, apply safeguarding thresholds appropriately, and contribute to consistent, high‑quality practice across the service.

We offer regular professional supervision, a strong team ethos, and a culture of trust, support and respect. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements are available, subject to service needs, and you will be encouraged and supported to continue developing your skills and safeguarding knowledge.

 

What We Offer

  • A strong commitment to a strengths-based approach with customers and employees.
  • A vibrant, positive, and high-achieving workforce.
  • Regular reflective supervision to support Continuous Professional Development.
  • Robust learning and development opportunities, including mentoring, coaching, RIPFA courses, Community Care Inform, and internal training.
  • Career development pathways.
  • Access to wellbeing services and support.
  • Generous relocation and retention packages.
  • Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
  • A minimum of 27 days’ holiday, with the option to purchase more.
  • Hybrid and flexible working arrangements, including working from home.
  • There is an expectation that workers will be in the office a minimum of 2 days per week.

About you:

You will be a dynamic social worker with a strong value base and sense of person-centred practice who can use a strengths-based approach.

You will have excellent communication skills, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, have a flexible approach and be able to work closely with a range of professionals.

You will be creative and passionate about enabling people to be as independent as possible.

You will need to be confident with the legal basis for practice and be able to demonstrate a good understanding of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 2007, Human Rights Act 1998, Equality Act 2010.

You will embrace continuous professional development.

Further Information

For an informal conversation about this role, or about working for Dorset Council, please contact [email protected] or [email protected] and we will get straight back in touch.

Interviews will be held in County Hall in Dorchester.  Shortlisted applicants will be informed within three days of closing date.

These are both full time roles of 37 hours a week.

These posts require significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed.

This post involves:

  • working with vulnerable adults
  • and/or having access to significant information about them 
It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders
 

You must:
 
  •  have a degree in Social Work/Occupational Therapy or equivalent
  •  be able to fulfil the travel requirements of the post
 This role is UK based and we will need to establish your Right to Work as part of the appointment process.

We use generic job descriptions and person specifications. This means the job title on any attachments may differ from the job title in the advert.

If appointed, the personal information we collect from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found at https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.

About Us

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

Unable to show this video due to your cookie preferences
 

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We:

  • provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
  • work in partnership to make a real difference
  • value every role and the impact it has on our communities
  • support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You will:

  • be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
  • have access to a range of benefits and support
  • receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.

Find out more about how to apply.

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