Terms and Conditions: X2 Full time, 12 Months Fixed Term, 37 hours per week
Department: Adults & Health
Interview date: 21st & 22nd September 2026
In Blackburn with Darwen, we believe we have the solid foundations for providing excellent social work services to help local people. Furthermore, as a Local Authority, we are incredibly proud to be rated as "Good" by the CQC.
We are looking for two enthusiastic and committed Social Workers to help deliver and lead good quality care and represent adult social care within the Commissioning Team.
You will need to be qualified social worker and registered with Social Work England.
You will be an integral part of reshaping and redesigning our supported living services across Blackburn and Darwen. You will work with our Commissioning Leadership Team whilst also developing integrated working arrangements with our commissioning colleagues in Lancashire & South Cumbria Integrated Care Board.
We have excellent collaborative working arrangements with staff across the broader, Adults & Health and the wider Place-based Partnership. Working collaboratively with colleagues across all departments and with wider system partners, you will be integral to shaping the vision, transformation, and strategic direction related to Supported Accommodation across the borough. Our approach to commissioning recognises that people do not live their lives in neat boxes and therefore the way that we commission should not either. Our Live Well and Age Well structure will maximise the opportunities for commissioning services which provide the best possible experiences for people, including for those people with complex and/ or multiple needs or those moving through different stages of their lives.
The successful candidate will also be an excellent communicator, be able to work on their own initiative, and be able to prioritise their own work and that of the team.
The successful applicant will:
Work with adults living in supported living households who have learning disabilities, autism, mental health difficulties and/or physical disabilities.
Have a good understanding of the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 as well as relevant safeguarding legislation.
Complete whole household reviews, promoting independence, ensuring safe and personalised support and advocating for individuals’ rights, choices and wellbeing.
Have the ability to confidently challenge providers and partner agencies where practice falls short and champion opportunities for people to build skills, develop increased autonomy and live meaningful lives.
Have excellent communication skills, including the ability to adapt communication for people with diverse needs.
Key responsibilities:
- Complete statutory Care Act reviews of individuals’ support plans which are strengths-based and reflect what people can do, not only what they need support with.
- Ensure support provided within supported living households is person-centred, proportionate, least restrictive and outcomes focused.
- Assess compatibility of residents, how individuals use their home environment, daily routines and support arrangements, identifying opportunities for increased independence and reduction of restrictive practice.
- Review care provider documentation, including risk assessments, care plans, financial records and daily logs to ensure current needs and aspirations are accurately reflected.
- Work collaboratively with the care provider to ensure support is delivered in line with Care Act principles and best practice and that people are enabled to have choice, control and independence.
- Identify and encourage opportunities for individuals to develop their daily living skills, set personal goals and work towards greater autonomy, confidence and community participation.
- Challenge providers, health professionals and other agencies where practice is restrictive, risk-averse or not aligned with the person’s rights and wishes.
- Escalate concerns appropriately where quality, safeguarding or contractual issues arise.
- Promote positive risk-taking, working with providers to manage and reduce risk whilst upholding the person’s risk to choice and control of their own lives.
- Participate in meetings with the care provider to advocate for person-centred outcomes and contribute professional judgement.
- Analyse information using an Excel spreadsheet.
For more information, please see attached documents.
For an informal discussion please contact:
Commissioning Team – Adam Lomas – [email protected]
The Government has confirmed plans to reorganise local government across Lancashire. From April 2028, the current 15 councils will be replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire.
If you're successful in your application, you'll initially join Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. As part of the reorganisation, your employment will transfer to the new East Lancashire council from April 2028.
We're committed to continuing to deliver excellent services throughout this transition. By joining us now, you'll be part of an important period of change and have the opportunity to help shape the future of local government for local communities.
