Terms and Conditions: Part Time, 18.5 hours per week, 12 Months Fixed Term
Department: Adults and Health
Closing Date: 3rd August 2026
Shortlisting: w/c 3rd August 2026
Interviews: 10th August 2026
Adult Social Care within Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is on an ambitious transformation journey, focused on delivering strengths-based, person-centred support that helps people live good lives and achieve the outcomes that matter to them.
We are seeking an experienced and inspirational social work leader to undertake the role of Interim Principal Social Worker (PSW) on a part-time basis whilst the current postholder is absent from work. This post will play an important role in supporting the work of the Adults and Health Directorate.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced registered social worker to provide professional leadership and support to the Directorate Senior Leadership Team, ensuring the Council continues to fulfil its statutory Principal Social Worker responsibilities. The post holder will be supported by the Senior Leadership Team to provide effective professional leadership, constructive challenge and in providing expert advice.
The role will be central to maintaining high standards of social work practice, driving continuous improvement, championing workforce development and providing professional advice across the organisation. The role supports professional leadership and quality assurance of social work practice across Adults and Health, ensuring services remain safe, effective and legally compliant.
As a member of the Adults and Health Senior Leadership Team, you will work closely with the Director of Adult Social Services, Assistant Directors, Heads of Service and practitioners across the department to provide visible professional leadership and support continuous improvement.
You will be an experienced, registered social worker who is passionate about excellent social work practice and committed to supporting practitioners to deliver the best possible outcomes for local people.
You will demonstrate:
- Significant post-qualification social work experience, including leadership responsibilities.
- A strong understanding of adult social care legislation, safeguarding, mental capacity and statutory social work functions.
- The ability to provide professional advice and challenge at all levels of the organisation.
- A commitment to strengths-based, anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice.
- Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to work strategically while remaining connected to frontline practice.
- Most importantly, you will embody social work values, provide visible professional leadership and be committed to developing and supporting the social work workforce.
The successful candidate will:
- Provide professional leadership and oversight of social work practice across Adults and Health.
- Advise the Director of Adult Social Services (DASS), senior leaders and wider Council colleagues on complex, high-risk or contentious practice matters.
- Act as the professional lead for social work and maintain links with Social Work England.
- Lead and support quality assurance, audit and practice improvement activity.
- Promote high-quality supervision, reflective practice and professional development.
- Champion strengths-based, person-centred and co-produced approaches to practice.
- Support workforce development, recruitment, retention and social work career pathways.
- Provide challenge and support to ensure social work practice remains lawful, ethical and effective.
- Maintain visibility with practitioners and managers to ensure professional leadership remains grounded in frontline practice. These responsibilities align with the statutory and strategic functions of the PSW role described within local work plans and Care Act guidance.
Blackburn with Darwen is a borough with an “anything is possible” attitude, a strong sense of community pride and powerful partnerships that make a real difference to local people.
We are a supportive, enthusiastic and committed team that works together to improve outcomes for residents. This role provides an excellent opportunity to influence practice, support workforce development and make a lasting impact on the future of adult social care.
Following the recent CQC assessment outcome, which rated Adults and Health services as ‘Good’, this role will help maintain momentum, embed learning and support continued improvement across adult social care practice.
Application Process
In addition to your application, please provide supporting information demonstrating how you meet the essential requirements of the role, including your experience of professional leadership, practice improvement and supporting high-quality social work.
We particularly welcome applications from experienced Practice Managers, Team Managers, Heads of Service and Principal Social Workers who are looking to broaden their leadership experience and contribute to the strategic development of Adult Social Care.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to creating a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and encourage candidates to bring their lived experience, professional insight and individual strengths to help us deliver inclusive, respectful and anti-discriminatory social work practice.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Brendan Gray, Assistant Director – Social Work & Housing Needs via email at [email protected] and a convenient time will be arranged.
