Experienced Social Workers

Room to practise. Support to grow.

Dorset is a county where you can genuinely get to know the people you work with. Caseloads are manageable, supervision is real, and the work feels grounded in the places and people it serves.

We are a council that invests in its social workers. That means regular reflective supervision, a clear pathway for development, and leaders who are visible and accessible. In a recent workshop, the people we support told us what they want from their social workers: someone who listens without interrupting, follows through on what they say they will do, thinks creatively, and genuinely cares. That is the kind of practice we are trying to build.

You will carry out strengths-based assessments and develop support plans that help people live as independently as possible. You will work closely with colleagues across health, housing, and other local authority teams, contributing to multi-disciplinary decision making and providing constructive challenge where needed.

Statutory competence matters here. You will be expected to apply the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 2007, and related legislation with confidence. Professional judgement is respected within a clear safeguarding framework.

About you

• You will hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
• If you are experienced, you will bring confident statutory practice, clear analytical thinking, and the ability to hold a relationship with someone through difficulty, not just manage a case.
• You will be adaptable and genuinely person-centred, not just as a phrase but in how you work day to day.
• You will be punctual, reliable, and knowledgeable, and you will share that knowledge with the people you support, not keep it to yourself.

Why join Dorset

Hybrid and flexible working arrangements are available across all roles. You will receive regular supervision, access to mentoring and coaching, and a generous benefits package including 27+ days annual leave, paid sick leave, and the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Each team has a strong local identity. Whether you are based in a busy market town or a more rural community, you will be part of a team that knows its patch and the people in it.

For social workers relocating to Dorset, we offer a generous package including an initial advance of up to £2,500 on your start date, help towards buying or selling costs of up to £6,500, and support towards rent or mortgage costs in your first two years. Up to £8,000 of eligible elements are free of tax.

For an informal conversation about any of these roles, contact [email protected]

This role involves working with adults who may be vulnerable. It is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.

Find out more about how to apply.