Do social work your way in Somerset

Somerset is changing adult social care. We’re taking a new approach – putting promoting independence at the heart of practice and emphasising creative, community driven support.

For our frontline social workers and their leaders that means having the freedom and the flexibility to do things better.

Last year in West Somerset we gave our social workers unprecedented freedom to decide how best to support adults to live independently. The pilot was a success. Staff felt empowered and ideas flowed freely. They could challenge the way things had been done for years, try new approaches and learn along the way.

Now this freedom is being expanded to the rest of the county and we want you to be part of it.

True influence

“I have always been about giving staff the chance to influence things, not just repeat what went before,” says Stephen Chandler, director of adults services at Somerset County Council. “We need people who aren’t afraid to pull things apart and put them back together differently.”

We are now seeking applications for key leader posts such as locality manager and strategic manager for health interface, as well as frontline social workers.

With its affordable house prices, great standard of living, a competitive benefits package and the promise of being able to truly influence how social work is done, Somerset has a lot to offer social workers both as a place to work and to live.

‘A real opportunity’

“There is a real opportunity here to make a difference and to progress your career,” says Steve Veevers, strategic manager in commissioning, who moved from South East England to join Somerset County Council 11 months ago.

“It’s a lovely bit of the world to live in. Property prices are very reasonable compared to the South East of England. It has a real feeling of community – everyone is really friendly. I feel it was the right decision for me and my family to have moved here and I think it could be the right decision for other people too.”

Achieving the best for people

Niki Shaw has worked in adult social care at Somerset County Council for 10 years. She is now a strategic manager for quality and performance.

“It is a really exciting time to join Somerset County Council,” she says. “We are looking at challenging the way we have traditionally done things and we want to give our staff more opportunity to do things differently and to be creative to achieve the best for people.

“If you are looking for a new role to get your teeth into that is exciting, fast paced and empowers you to do the things you want to do, join us in Somerset.”

Find out more

To find out more about Somerset County Council’s unique approach to adult social care, the innovation happening in the county and all that Somerset has to offer, visit our recruitment website.

More adult social care leaders and staff roles will be added to the website in the coming months.