Practice Consultant - Social Worker (11205)

Norfolk County Council · North Walsham, Norfolk, United Kingdom · hybrid

Ready to take the next step in your social work career? We have multiple opportunities at Practice Consultant level within our North Place Duty Team, supporting work with older people and adults with physical disabilities. Whether you are already working at this level or are an experienced Social Worker ready to step up, this is an opportunity to develop your practice leadership and deepen your safeguarding knowledge while making a difference to people’s lives.

There are lots of reasons to join Norfolk County Council Adult Social Services. Working in Norfolk gives you the chance to work in urban, rural and coastal communities, where you can see the difference social work makes. Our work is grounded in relational practice: listening to what matters to people, building trust and working alongside them to help them live the lives they want.

Adult Social Services in Norfolk is on an ambitious transformation journey. We are evolving the way we work through a Human Learning Systems approach, focusing on relationships, lived experiences and learning together. Through Community-Led Support, we draw on local assets, networks and partnerships to enable earlier help, stronger independence and better outcomes. You will help practitioners to work creatively and responsively, shaping solutions with people — not for them.

The Role

As a Practice Consultant, you will champion high-quality, strengths-based practice and provide specialist support, coaching, reflective practice and professional guidance. Working closely with the Cluster Manager and wider partners, you will support colleagues to develop confidence, curiosity and professional judgement, contribute to continuous learning and help shape a relational, flexible and community-connected duty service.

The duty setting offers a valuable opportunity to broaden your safeguarding knowledge through exposure to complex situations, risk assessment and timely professional decision-making. You will help colleagues respond to safeguarding concerns, balance risk with people’s wishes and independence, and work with partners to support proportionate, person-centred responses. For an experienced Social Worker ready for greater responsibility, this is a chance to build on your existing skills and develop your confidence in practice leadership.

You will undertake specialist assessments and reviews and hold a small caseload of complex cases, which may include care and support planning, safeguarding work, best interest discussions and continuing health care. You may also chair meetings and lead safeguarding investigations, bringing professional judgement and evidence-based practice to complex decisions.

Supporting and developing others is a key part of the role. You will supervise and appraise staff, promote high-quality recording and practice standards, and help colleagues keep up to date with legislation, policy, research and departmental procedures. You will also contribute to practice development, training and partnership working.

We support flexible and hybrid working, with a minimum expectation of two days per week in a community or office setting. To build meaningful relationships with the people we support and meet the needs of the duty service, these roles require regular in-person work in both the office and community.

You do not need to be working as a Practice Consultant already to apply, but you will need to demonstrate that you meet the role’s requirements. We are looking for substantial post-qualification experience in health or social care, experience of supervising others and strong knowledge of relevant legislation. You will be confident assessing risk, managing complex relationships, coordinating complex care plans, working under pressure and communicating clearly with people, families, carers, colleagues and partners.

If you are passionate about great practice, motivated to deepen your safeguarding expertise and ready to help others develop, we would love to hear from you. Please indicate in your supporting statement whether you are interested in full time or part-time opportunities, or both.

Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job Description and Person Specification to help you demonstrate you meet the criteria.

How to apply.

Please ensure you include a statement in your application to demonstrate why you feel you meet the person specification and job description for this post. CVs submitted without a supporting statement about this post will not be accepted.

You need to be registered with Social Work England as a practising Social Worker.

What we offer in return.

Our supportive culture offers help, advice and opportunities for career development as you grow into the role. All social workers and occupational therapists, including team managers, are offered a protected half day per month for continuing professional development and training. We are realistic about the challenges of social work and passionate about supporting you to meet them, so you can enjoy the rewards the profession has to offer.

We offer a £2000 welcome payment for qualified and experienced Social Workers (grade J and above) and Practice Consultants new to Norfolk County Council. Amount to be repaid in full should you leave within two years of employment.

For experienced Social Workers new to Norfolk County Council, we promise to try and match or better your existing salary, providing it's in the spectrum of the grade advertised.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equivalent positions.

These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:

- Competitive salary

- Generous holiday entitlement

- Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service

- Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependant on your job role and business need.

- Financial benefits such as:- ‘Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.

- A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers

- Relocation expenses (where applicable)

- An advance of your expenses if you travel for work

- Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions.

- Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes

- Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)

- A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here.

Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for internal and external vacancies in myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.

We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position.

Redeployment closing date: 05 November 2026

All other applicants closing date: 12 November 2026

Apply on the employer’s site