Deputy Principal Social Worker

Permanent

Grade 6 - £54,495- £64,811

Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review

Working 36.5 hours per week

An exciting opportunity has arisen to fill the role of Deputy Principal Social Worker alongside our current Deputy Principal Social Worker and Principal Social Worker. This is a great opportunity to develop a wide range of skills and knowledge, leadership and management capabilities and perfect for individuals who aspire to Principal Social Worker role in the future.

The Deputy Principal Social worker role is a key element of transforming practice, supported by the 3 Conversations Framework and the Prevention agenda. The post will directly manage the Quality and Practice Standards team and work closely with the data, quality, eclipse, practice learning and performance teams; and to have oversight and drive the mapping and connections between community assets and citizens, as well as lead on research opportunities with Universities. The role is vital to supporting our transformation agenda and CQC preparations alongside the newly appointed Principal Social Worker.

The Deputy Principal Social Worker is a key driver to support the prevention driven strategy for building community capacity and resilience, supporting service reform and integration, preventing and reducing demand for services wherever possible and strengthening individuals and families’ choice, control and opportunities.

Key focus of Deputy Principal Social Worker role:

Co-production with citizens to develop services
Co-production with the workforce to develop tools that support best practice
To support workers to use the 3 conversations model to ensure strength-based practice which allows citizens, their carers and support networks to achieve their goals and promote their independence, working closely with NNS services.
To ensure that high quality data and support is given to Social Care Teams to enable them to develop and shape services
To support CQC preparations and co-lead on change management with the wider leadership team
To support/deputise for the Principal Social Worker

The successful candidate will be required to support the fundamental ‘Prevention Savings’ targets. Your role will include attracting funding from other sources such as health, police, fire services, universities, local businesses to establish links across strategic partners to support the prevention savings programme.

Considerations for applicant:

Be a visible presence across the workforce
Ability to support co-production and lead various focus groups across the workforce, citizen and stakeholder groups.
Knowledge of data and quality assurance desirable or demonstration of transferable skills
Strong legal literacy in adult social care legislation including; Care Act and Mental Capacity Act
Must be a qualified social worker with current Social Work England Registration

Education, Skills and Qualities required:

You will need to have considerable experience of working in the social care sector
You will need to understand and adhere to Owning and Driving Performance principles and approaches to working
You will need to have the ability to work collaboratively with others
You will need to demonstrate a commitment to citizens and their carers
You will need to demonstrate excellent communication skills
You will need to show examples of demonstrating dignity and respect within work
You will need to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of FGC and CNSO and its working methods
You will need to demonstrate the ability to work alongside partnership agencies
You will need to demonstrate excellent knowledge of 3 Conversations and its working principles
You will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to manage staff
You will need to be able to prioritise workloads whilst working with competing demands

If you believe you have the qualities to meet the requirements of this role, a formal application detailing how you meet all the above requirements via the formal application process must be submitted. If you have any queries about this role please contact Gail Heslop Principal Social Worker for more information.

Successful applicants will be called for interview during May 2026.

Please upload an up-to-date CV and Supporting Statement via the attachments part of your application. The Supporting Statement should outline how you meet the criteria for the role through your personal qualities, skills and experience and include your motivation for applying to the post. Note the Personal Statement should be no more than 1500 words. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV and Personal Statement attached

Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.

We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.

For any informal enquires please contact the Resourcing Team <Resourcing@birmingham.gov.uk>

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken.

Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You can view our Corporate Safeguarding Policy | Birmingham City Council here.

Job Description and Person Specification