The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Are you a passionate, skilled Social Worker ready to make a real difference? We’re excited to welcome a motivated professional to our Adult Safeguarding Team, a place where your expertise is valued, your voice is heard, and your development truly matters.
At Reading Borough Council, you won’t just be taking on a role, you’ll be joining a friendly, supportive service that is committed to excellent safeguarding practice, reflective supervision, and helping you grow in your career.
If you’re driven by person-centred care, sound professional judgement, and making positive outcomes happen, we’d love to hear from you.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the Role:
When you join Reading, you become part of a collaborative, welcoming team that genuinely supports one another. You’ll work alongside colleagues, health professionals and Thames Valley Police building meaningful relationships and making a real impact every day.
We’re proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to supporting people with disabilities in both recruitment and employment.
Safeguarding is at the heart of what we do and in this role, you’ll play a key part in helping adults at risk live safely and independently, free from abuse and neglect, while staying fully involved in decisions about their lives.
This is a dynamic, varied role where no two days are the same perfect if you’re looking to deepen your safeguarding expertise within a supportive and experienced team.
You will:
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Screen safeguarding concerns and carry out Section 42 enquiries
- Lead safeguarding processes with a strong person-centred approach
- Confidently apply the Care Act 2014 and related legislation
- Assess and manage risk while promoting independence and empowerment
- Work closely with partners including health, police, housing, and the voluntary sector
- Keep clear, analytical, high-quality records
You’ll be empowered to make confident, proportionate decisions, supported by reflective supervision and experienced managers who have your back.
Grow Your Career With Us
We’re invested in you. Whether it’s becoming a Practice Educator, BIA, AMHP, or building specialist safeguarding expertise, we’ll support your professional development every step of the way.
You’ll also benefit from:
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A strong Learning & Development programme
- Opportunities to develop new clinical skills
- Support to build your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolio
Flexible & Modern Working
We offer agile working so you can balance your time between home, the Civic Offices in central Reading, and face-to-face visits across the borough.
What You’ll Bring
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A Social Work degree (or equivalent)
- Registration with Social Work England
- A solid understanding of the Care Act 2014 and safeguarding legislation
- Excellent communication skills and a natural ability to build relationships
Be Part of Something Bigger
Our teams include Social Workers, Social Care Coordinators, and Occupational Therapists, all working together with partners across health, voluntary, and community sectors to achieve the best outcomes for the people we serve.
At Reading, you’re not just joining a team — you’re becoming part of Team Reading, helping to make our borough a vibrant, supportive place for everyone.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
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Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- Maternity, adoption, parental and sick pay
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Access to a range of training and learning opportunities to help you develop
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
- Salary sacrifice scheme for Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) to help you save for your retirement
If you would like to find out more about this role and the team, please contact Karen Glaister (Safeguarding Strategic Lead) or [email protected]
Closing date: Sunday 5th July 2026
Interview date: To be confirmed
Interview setup: In person at the Civic Offices, Reading
Visit: www.moretoreading.co.uk to find out more about Reading’s Community & Adult Social Care Services. It’s a chance to hear from the people who already work here and why they have chosen Reading as their professional destination.