Principal Social Worker

Hackney is one of Britain’s most exciting and fastest-changing boroughs. We have changed the reputation, not just of the Council, but of Hackney itself. The challenges that have arisen over the last two years have intensified the need for action and we are determined to rebuild Hackney for, and with, our diverse communities.  

In Hackney, we are continually innovating and transforming to better support people who have care and support needs to build on their strengths and connections. We have recently published an ambitious 3 year plan that details what we want to achieve, and how we will work collaboratively to get there, and what our vision is for Hackney residents

“We want you to achieve what matters to you, in partnership with our communities in Hackney. Where you need support, together we can find a solution that keeps you safe, well and independent.”

Right now, transformation has never been more important. The challenges facing the adult social care sector are significant. We believe that with the right staff, leadership and vision, we can meet these challenges and work with residents and partners to come up with creative solutions - always keeping residents at the centre of their care. 

The transformation service is made up of a number of teams; Transformation, Performance & Insight, Business Support, Practice Innovation and Workforce Capability, and Refugee, Migrants and Seeker Support. 

As a service, we are committed to ensuring residents achieve the best outcomes, whether that be through transforming how services are delivered, using data and insight to better understand needs and trends, investing in and thinking creatively about how to develop and support the workforce, ensuring the business is supported to deliver processes as efficiently as possible, as well as through continuous service and practice improvement.  It’s a dynamic, highly skilled and supportive service.

Responsibilities of the role

The Principal Social Worker is a key leadership role, within the Transformation Service but equally across the whole of the Adult Social Care department.

The Principal Social Worker will promote, lead, develop and assure high standard, strengths-based social work practice across Adult Social Care in Hackney. This will enable the provision of quality support to residents, and ensure that the borough is the employer of choice for social work candidates. 

Working closely with the Director of Adult Social Care Operations, The Principal Social Worker will lead the Authority’s preparations for the Care Quality Commission Assurance Framework, ensuring the process can be a positive learning experience for staff that supports our continuous improvement journey. This should be seen as part of the Department’s wider quality assurance framework, of which the post holder is responsible for implementing and continually developing. 

This role manages the Practice Innovation and Workforce Capabilities team, and is responsible for demonstrating excellent management and leadership to the team, ensuring the team has a clear vision and direction, and are performing to a high standard to deliver against this. This will include ultimate responsibility for delivering the new Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy, that set’s a number of priorities that the team will deliver, in partnership with others. 

The Principal Social Worker will provide practice leadership for the development of further integration of health and care services in Hackney, and will build effective working relationships with all partners. 

We are looking for a collaborative leader who is passionate about social care and the positive impact of strengths-based practice that truly promotes independence for residents. The post holder will have the skills and experience to translate this passion into tangible improvements to resident experience and outcomes.

This role requires a relentless focus on supporting and improving the performance of the workforce, and an understanding of effective methodologies, approaches and frameworks that enable this.

Requirements of the role: 

• Must hold a professional social work qualification (Degree, DipSW, CQSW or CSS as relevant).
• Must have a current registration as a Social Worker with Social Work England. 
• Evidence of significant post-qualifying development and extensive evidence of CPD. Training as an Approved Mental Health Professional and/or Best Interest Assessor is helpful but not essential.
• Extensive post-qualifying experience and at least two years experience in management. 
• Understanding of the key current policy directives for adult social care and health, including detailed knowledge of relevant legislation and experience of applying it in complex settings.
• Track record of strong and effective leadership within Adult Social Care and proven ability to provide vision and direction to individuals and teams so as to gain ownership and commitment to service improvement .
• Experience of developing robust systems that influence practice, and of implementing and using insight from a range of sources to inform and embed improvements in a coherent and cohesive way.

More information about the role and requirements can be found in the Job Description.

There is no better place to work in London than Hackney; we have great pride in our borough, our communities, and our services. Hackney is one of London’s most vibrant and diverse boroughs. It’s one of the most sought after areas to live in London with good schools, parks and local amenities, as well as great transport links and vibrant and diverse communities.

We are passionate about diversity and want our workforce to reflect our community and encourage all those who possess the essential criteria to apply to work for Hackney.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

The recruitment process is anonymous. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CVs.

When applying, there will be a number of questions relating to the post on the application form. It is essential that you complete the application questions, responding to each using examples of your skills, knowledge and experience.

We will not accept applications where Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used to assist with completing the competency questions or any part of the application form.

This application process replaces a supporting statement.

Closing date for applications: 11 February 2024 (22:59 pm)

Interview date: to be confirmed

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and maternity, age and marital status. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available.