Job Introduction
We’re recruiting a Senior Social Worker to join our Safeguarding Adults Team within Adult Social Care.
The Safeguarding Adults Team plays a vital role in protecting adults with care and support needs who may be experiencing, or are at risk of, abuse or neglect.
We work alongside residents to understand what matters to them, helping them achieve the outcomes they want while promoting their safety, independence and wellbeing.
As a Senior Social Worker, you’ll lead complex and high-risk safeguarding work and use your professional judgement to help ensure concerns are responded to promptly and proportionately.
You’ll work collaboratively with colleagues and partners across health, police, care providers, housing and other services, bringing specialist safeguarding knowledge to support effective decision-making.
You’ll also help strengthen safeguarding practice across Adult Social Care by supporting colleagues, contributing to quality assurance and promoting professional curiosity, strengths-based practice and Making Safeguarding Personal.
This is a rewarding role where your experience will help ensure residents’ voices are heard, their rights are upheld and they’re supported to maintain choice and control over their lives.
You’ll need significant social work experience, strong knowledge of adult safeguarding and the confidence to manage complex situations where people may be at risk.
Site-Based role
This is a Site-Based role, and you’ll be expected to work from the designated workplace.
Interviews for this role will be held on 27th November 2026
Please note, interviews are held in person.
Additional Payments
Grade H basic salary + £4,000 annual additional payment, with a £4,000 Golden Hello potentially applicable separately to eligible candidates.
At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.
We take pride in our supportive work culture and try to go that extra mile when it comes to investing in our colleagues.
Hear directly from our social workers - Social Workers' testimonials
Discover careers in Adult Social Care at Milton Keynes City Council - Social Work Careers in Adult Services
Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk
Main Responsibility
- Lead complex and high-risk casework, including safeguarding enquiries and work that may involve the Court of Protection.
- Assess and analyse situations carefully, applying relevant legislation to make well-considered professional judgements where people may be at risk.
- Use professional curiosity, research and critical reflection to understand people’s circumstances and support strengths-based outcomes.
- Manage a varied caseload effectively, keeping accurate records and completing reports within agreed timescales.
- Model strong social work practice, supporting people’s independence, choices, strengths and desired outcomes.
- Guide and support junior colleagues through professional discussions, constructive challenge, case support and the leadership of professional meetings.
The Ideal Candidate
- As an experienced social worker ready to take the next step, you’ll bring the professional knowledge and judgement needed to work confidently with complex situations.
- A recognised social work qualification, such as a Degree in Social Work, Diploma in Social Work, Certificate of Qualification in Social Work or equivalent, is essential, alongside current Social Work England registration.
- Your experience will demonstrate practice at Experienced Social Worker level in accordance with the Professional Capabilities Framework, together with a commitment to maintaining this standard of practice.
- Strong legal knowledge will enable you to confidently apply and explain relevant legislation, including the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005.
- Professional curiosity, sound judgement and reflective practice will help you look beyond the immediate situation, assess risk and make balanced decisions.
- Committed to continuing professional development, you’ll keep your practice current and support the learning and development of colleagues around you.
- Above all, you’ll bring our values to your work by being dedicated to local people, respectful in the way you work with others and collaborative with colleagues and partners.
Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle
To be successful in this role, you’ll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If we offer you the role, we’ll ask you to provide evidence of your driving licence and vehicle insurance, including cover for business use. We’re unable to confirm an appointment until these documents are received.
Safer Recruitment
Safer Recruitment applies to this role. This means that, before any appointment is confirmed, we’ll carry out a range of pre-employment checks to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults. These checks may include identity verification, where candidates will be required to provide original identification documents, including a full birth certificate, employment history and reference checks, qualification checks and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, (unless you are currently registered with the DBS Update Service). check where required.
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can lease an electric or low-emission vehicle at a reduced cost through salary sacrifice, subject to National Minimum Wage and other eligibility requirements.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences. Milton Keynes City Council is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the diversity of our community. We actively encourage applications from candidates who bring a range of perspectives, particularly those from underrepresented groups.
We are proud to have signed up to the Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard (SC-WRES), a continuous improvement programme designed to help social care organisations achieve anti-racist workplaces. Our commitment means we are actively working to identify and address inequalities, improve representation in leadership, and ensure fair treatment and opportunity for all colleagues in Adult Services. [skillsforcare.org.uk]
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
Please note that this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have an independent and unrestricted right to work in the UK, without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future.
