This position is open to internal candidates only. Any applications received from external candidates will not be considered and will be automatically rejected.
Important Information for Current Barnet Council Employees
Where possible, employees who have access to Oracle are encouraged to apply via the
Opportunity Marketplace (Internal Career Site). This helps to ensure applications are correctly identified as internal and avoids potential delays during the recruitment process.
About Barnet Council
Barnet is a borough with much to be proud of. Our excellent schools, vibrant town centres, vast green spaces and diverse communities all help make it a great place to live and work. As a council we want to build on these strengths as we move into the future. We are growing and developing as an organisation to meet the challenges facing our borough and we are committed to working with partner organisations and residents to make Barnet even better. As an organisation, our staff are committed to Our Values: Learning to Improve, Caring, Inclusive, Collaborative – which drive everything we do.
About the role
We are seeking an outstanding Principal Social Worker (PSW) to provide visible professional leadership and drive excellence in social work practice across Adult Social Care.
This is a key strategic role, working as part of the senior leadership team to shape services, support cultural change and ensure we deliver high-quality, person-centred care and support in line with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) framework.
You will play a vital role in ensuring we work effectively with people, provide responsive and strengths-based support, maintain safe systems and deliver strong, values-led leadership.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide expert professional leadership to social workers and social care practitioners
- Lead the development and oversight of practice standards, quality assurance and continuous improvement
- Champion strengths-based, person-centred approaches that support independence and wellbeing
- Ensure robust safeguarding practice and effective risk management across systems
- Support and inform CQC assurance activity, ensuring evidence of impact, outcomes and learning
- Drive workforce development, learning and reflective practice
- Work collaboratively with health, community and voluntary sector partners to improve outcomes for residents
Please
click here to download the Job description for this role. (Right-click and select “Open in new tab” so you can keep the job description open while completing your application)
About you
You will be a respected and experienced social work leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for residents and supporting the workforce to thrive.
You will bring:
- A recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England
- Significant leadership experience in adult social care
- Strong knowledge of legislation, safeguarding and the CQC framework
- A track record of improving quality, practice and outcomes
- The ability to lead cultural change and influence at a strategic level
- A commitment to Barnet’s values of being caring, inclusive, collaborative and always learning to improve
Why Join Us
This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of adult social care in Barnet and make a real difference to residents’ lives.
We offer:
- A supportive and ambitious leadership team
- Opportunities to innovate and influence at a strategic level
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- A strong commitment to professional development and continuous learning
- Competitive salary and benefits
What we offer
- 31 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, which provides a valuable guaranteed income in your retirement together with security for your dependents
- Work-life balance options may include hybrid working, flexitime, job share, home working, part-time
- A vast range of lifestyle discounts from major retailers, supermarkets, energy suppliers and more
- Broad range of payroll benefits including cycle to work, eye care vouchers, travel and gym membership
- Excellent training and development opportunities
- Employee well- being training programs including confidential employee assistance
How to apply
Read the job description and person specification before clicking
‘Apply’ to commence the online application form. If you would like any further information about the role before applying, please contact
Carol.Baxter@barnet.gov.uk
System notice: Some dates shown on our online application system (such as “Apply Before”) appear in US date format (MM/DD/YYYY) due to Oracle system settings.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a useful tool to support your application as a reasonable adjustment, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn, escalated to counter Fraud for further investigation and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Barnet Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Barnet operates stringent safer recruitment procedures, this may include AI Detection Screening, Biometric ID/Right to Work Checks, Qualification and Registration Checks, Up to 6 years of Employment Data and Insights to Accelerate Screening (Konfir), Up to 5 years of Employment History References, DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Checks, Credit Checks and Social Media, Sanctions and Occupational Health Screening.
To deliver Barnet Council’s commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Barnet Council embraces all forms of flexible working (including part-time, compressed hours, and hybrid working) and is committed to offering employees a healthy work-life balance. Candidates are encouraged to talk about relevant requirements and preferences at interview. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking.
Barnet Council is a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at
www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply All posts with the council are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the council satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you will be employed.
Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.
Please ensure you regularly check the email account (including JUNK MAIL folders) that you use to submit your application, as any further communication regarding your application will be sent electronically. Should you not hear from us within four working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted.
