Advanced Practitioner Learning and Development (Adult Operations)

Transform lives, champion rights & support adults to achieve their full potential.

• Location: Taunton
• 30 days annual leave
• Full time: 37 hours per week

We’re working to improve the lives of people in Somerset – and you’ll be a key part of that. 

You will have a lead role in promoting and quality assuring high quality professional social work practice across Adult Social Care.

Your day-to-day work will include:

• Coordination of the ASYE programme including attending review meetings, coordinating panels and quality assurance of portfolios.
• Oversight and coordination of Return to Practice, Stepping Towards Social Work, Social Work Degree Apprenticeship and PEPS programmes.
• Keeping up to date with regional and national developments in Social Work education, engaging and influencing at regional events, and striving for continuous improvements for learners for the benefit of the people social workers serve.
• Providing support and guidance to Practice Educators and Assessors.
• Teaching, supporting and mentoring learners.
• Facilitation of practice development workshops.
• Promoting a strong social work framework that incorporates relationship-based practice, research, co-production and legal literacy.

The Advanced Practitioner Practice Development post is based within the Learning and Development Team where team working and collaboration is central to all that the team does. You will join the team in-person at County Hall in Taunton one day a week and be able to travel across Somerset to attend in-person meetings as required. 

You will receive regular supervision from the Principal Social Worker and contribute to the Somerset Practice Development Advanced Practitioner network.  

You will need to be a qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England, with experience of working in Adult Social Care. If you do not already hold PEPS 1 and 2, you’ll be willing to work towards these qualifications on appointment. You can also be supported to work towards Post-Qualifying Standards for Social Work Practice Supervisors.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Commitment to high standards of professional social work practice.
• Confidence to critically evaluate social work practice.
• The knowledge and skills to link theory, social work models, research and legal frameworks with practice.
• Experience of supervising others.
• The ability to hold reflective spaces, challenge constructively and influence others.
• Commitment to ensuring that the voices of people with lived expertise are heard throughout your work and the work of others.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

At Somerset Council, we work hard to attract the best staff and we want to make sure that once you are on board, you are well supported and rewarded for the work you do.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• This grade offers 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and the option to request to buy up to 2 weeks additional annual leave pro rata.
• Hybrid working options where the role allows.
• A clear career pathway with apprenticeships, professional, leadership and academic programmes and qualifications, regular CPD opportunities and a corporate coaching and mentoring scheme
• A new comprehensive induction programme supported by Practice Development Advanced Practitioners, plus a confidential and impartial welcome call to ensure your induction goes smoothly.
• Ongoing support & development opportunities – regular CPD events arranged and delivered by our dedicated Adult Social Care Learning and Development team, including an annual Carnival of Practice event with key speakers such as the Chief Social Worker, a team of Advanced Practitioner – Practice Development roles to support our workforce, personalised personal development plans, a corporate coaching and mentoring scheme.
• Local Government pension scheme
• Employee support networks that acknowledge and celebrate the richness of diversity and equality within our workforce.
• Guaranteed Interview Schemes – Disability Confident, Veterans, Care Leavers
• Employee assistance and support offering a variety of wellbeing services and events to support a healthy work/life balance inc. a free online gym offer, dedicated Mental Wellbeing Ambassadors and much more!
• Relocation of up to £8,000, subject to meeting eligibility requirements.
• Access to the Blue Light Card which offers thousands of discounts online and on the high street
• My Staff Shop which offers a variety of discounts including; cinemas, shopping, restaurants, gym discounts and more!
• Discounted lease car options via salary sacrifice, along with discounts on fuel
• Cycle to work scheme

This is a Grade 9 post with a current starting salary of £41,771 rising annually to £46,142 per annum. Appointments are normally made at the bottom of the salary scale.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Carolyn Smith, Principal Social Worker/Strategic Manager Safeguarding and DOLS, Tel: 01823 355950 or email carolyn.smith@somerset.gov.uk

Closing date: Monday, 13 October 2025

Interview date: Monday, 27 October 2025

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button - we can’t wait to hear from you.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early if we have received a sufficient number of applications, so don't delay, apply today!

We are reclaiming narratives about social work and believe in the power of lived experiences of people (including workers) and sharing stories. To get a sense of this, listen to Social Work Sessions podcast: Social Work Sessions

Somerset is situated in a beautiful, rural county in a central southwest location but with good city links. With scenic countryside, historic sites, charming towns and villages, family-friendly attractions, beaches, festivals (Glastonbury!) and events, outdoor activities, zoos, water parks and plenty of local produce to try, there’s something for everyone!

This post requires a criminal background check via the Disclosure process.