A career as a social worker
The role of a social worker is a specialist one within adult social care. Social workers help vulnerable adults to navigate life’s challenges. Whether that's mental health issues, disabilities, or family problems.
They work with people and families to assess their needs, provide advice, and arrange services or support. Ensuring that their need are met, their voices are heard and they have the means to live independently.
Social workers are trained, qualified professionals and are registered with a professional body.
Adam is one of our social workers.. Watch this video to find out more about a day in his life working at Wakefield Council.
Becoming a social worker
You will need to complete a recognised degree in social work to become a qualified social worker. This will usually be a BA or MA in Social Work.
Find out more about this and see how Wakefield Council might be able to help you achieve this by visiting our Becoming a qualified social worker page.
Why be a social worker at Wakefield Council
It takes a special person to be a social worker. We know it can be a challenging role. But we want to provide the best possible care for vulnerable adults in our area. And that’s why we’ll value, reward and nurture you.
Rewards and benefits
We offer competitive salaries and a great range of benefits.
And, if you choose to work for Wakefield Council as a newly qualified social worker, you can claim a one-off £1,000.
For more information, take a look at what we offer on our rewards and benefits page.
Training and career growth
We have a dedicated Social Work Professional Development team. It delivers training and learning opportunities to help staff grow and improve their skills. And it provides clear progression pathways for all our qualified social workers. From Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW), to Experienced Social Workers and beyond.
Find out more about our Social Work Career Progression Framework, which is designed to help social workers progress up the career ladder.
Hear from some of our social workers and what they enjoy about their roles.
Social Care Direct
This team is the first point of contact for all new referrals to Wakefield Council’s adult social care services. The team assesses and prioritises any new safeguarding concerns, referrals and requests for help or information. They help identify appropriate services and transfer new cases to other teams in Adult Social Care. Ensuring timely access to appropriate support.
The service is available 24 hours a day, so it can respond to urgent situations, even on evenings and weekends. This includes requests for Mental Health Act Assessments.
Learning Disabilities Team
These teams provide support for adults with a diagnosed learning disability. They work closely with individuals to create personalised support plans. Helping them to develop skills and access opportunities such as employment, leisure, and social activities.
Transitions Team
This team works with young people with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) who are transitioning from Children’s Services to Adult Services. They ensure that all their needs are met and assist with their financial arrangements.
They help arrange employment, volunteering opportunities or meaningful activities.
They also support parents and carers of young people, helping them with their caring role.
Hospital Social Work Team
Hospital social workers help make sure that people leave hospital safely, at the right time, and with the right support in place. They work closely with individuals, families, and health professionals to plan next steps that support recovery and help people stay as independent as possible.
Mental Health Enhanced Teams
These teams support people living with complex mental health needs. They include mental health nurses, psychiatrists and occupational therapists. They work with individuals and their carers to provide tailored care, help and support plans. They’re based in Wakefield and Pontefract.
Community Mental Health Team Older People
This team primarily works with people over the age of 65 who have a mental health diagnosis, together with their carers. The team is a collaboration between Wakefield Council and the South West Yorkshire Foundation Trust.
Forensic Team
This team is based within Newton Lodge in Wakefield. It’s a specialist regional service providing medium secure care for adults with a mental disorder who have been detained.
Mental Capacity Act / Mental Health Act Team
This team ensures that the Council and other public services in the district comply with the law and carry out their statutory duties. It oversees practice and provides information, advice and training. It includes Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) and Best Interest Assessors (BIAs), who work within the wider social work teams.
Adult Safeguarding Team
This team ensures that adults at risk are protected from abuse or neglect. It works with a wide range of partners including care providers, health services, police, and advocacy.
Sensory Impairment Team
This team supports people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, partially sighted, or have dual sensory loss.
It provides specialist assessments and tailored support to enable people to maintain their independence, improve communication and stay safe.
Social workers in this team work closely with rehabilitation officers, specialist equipment providers, and health colleagues to deliver practical and holistic solutions. The team also promotes accessibility, inclusion, and advocacy.
Shared Lives Team
Shared Lives is a care scheme for adults with support needs. It’s a bit like fostering. The adults may have a learning disability or physical impairment, a mental health condition, dementia, or they may be a young person transitioning from foster care. Some of them live with their carer as part of their household. Others visit for shorter periods. The team ensures that each person is matched with their carer. They provide ongoing training, support and guidance to both the carers and the people they look after.
Are you interested in working for Wakefield Council?
We’re recruiting across the Wakefield district now. To find out the next steps to take and how to apply, please visit our vacancies and recruitment page and follow us on our social media channels.
Attend our recruitment fairs
Our recruitment fairs are free to attend and you can talk to local care providers and employers across the Wakefield district.
- explore opportunities: Discover a wide variety of roles, from entry-level positions to senior roles
- meet care providers face to face: Meet hiring managers in person and make a great first impression. It is a great opportunity to get to know the company more and ask any questions you may have
- on-the-day interviews: Many providers have the option of an interviews on the day, giving you the chance to walk away with a job offer
- support from us: Speak to the Wakefield Cares Careers Hub team for application tips, and support navigating your career journey
Our next events are:
Thursday 19 March
5pm – 7pm
The Factory, Wakefield Exchange (WX), Union Street, Wakefield, WF1 3AD