Job summary
Contract Type: Fixed-term until 31/03/2027

Working for us at West Sussex County Council is all about making a positive difference to the people of West Sussex. An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Changing Futures Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) within the Communities Directorate at West Sussex County Council.

The five-year Changing Futures Sussex Programme was part of a national £91.8m initiative, the Sussex programme launched in 2021, received £6m and via a countywide partnership supported more than 500 people experiencing multiple disadvantage. Independent evaluation shows significant, lasting benefits, including improved wellbeing and reduced risk, reduced pressure on A&E through more preventative, coordinated support, a 60% reduction in early mortality versus national averages for people with similar needs, strengthened trauma informed and reflective practice, clearer data on need, and lived experience embedded in service design.

WSCC will be continuing the Changing Futures service delivery for an interim period until March 2027 whilst plans for a long-term application of service delivery are made.

Main duties of the job
Day to Day role

You will be working multi-disciplinary team, alongside colleagues in the Communities Directorate, Adult Social Care and third sector providers, bringing together a broad range of multi-disciplinary experience and practice.

As the Senior Practitioner you will hold a small caseload in addition to providing supportive supervision to colleagues. There is a strong emphasis on reflective practice, learning and professional development.

Please note to apply to this position you need to apply via West Sussex County Council Careers page (Job search details - West Sussex County Council) we will not be able to consider applications made to NHS Jobsite.

About us
West Sussex county council is responsible for providing vital services to over 850,000 residents.

We are proud to offer support at every important step of our residents lives, from registering a birth right through to offering care and advice in later life.

Our schools, social care services, libraries, community hub, highways crews and Fire and Rescue service are there to keep people safe and help them reach their full potential.

The services we provide are wide ranging and diverse and offer a chance to make a real difference to the communities around us.

If you would like to find out more about some of the many touchpoints we have with the residents of West Sussex, and the wealth of career opportunities we offer, watch our animation video below.

Details
Date posted: 07 July 2026
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £48,226 to £51,356 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 8 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: F0052-CPP01383
Job locations: Glebelands, Shoreham, West Sussex, BN43 6GA, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
What youll need to succeed
You will possess the ability to communicate effectively, have compassion and empathy to support people who access our services, and be able to manage your own health and well-being due to the emotional demands of the role.
You will have a good theoretical, practical, and procedural knowledge of social work, and a good understanding of the necessity of working with partnership agencies including health, housing, education, and statutory, voluntary and independent agencies. You will possess the ability to influence in a multi disciplinary setting, and communicate clearly and effectively to explain complicated information to a wide range of people, negotiating with and persuading others to adopt a particular course of action that they may not otherwise wish to take.
You will undertake continued professional development and maintain records of your training in line with Social Work England requirements.

There will also be a requirement for you to work flexibly using your own initiative where appropriate. You will be required to travel throughout the County including to locations that are not always easily accessible by public transport. There is a regular and intrinsic requirement to communicate in English with members of the public.

Job responsibilities
What youll need to succeed
You will possess the ability to communicate effectively, have compassion and empathy to support people who access our services, and be able to manage your own health and well-being due to the emotional demands of the role.
You will have a good theoretical, practical, and procedural knowledge of social work, and a good understanding of the necessity of working with partnership agencies including health, housing, education, and statutory, voluntary and independent agencies. You will possess the ability to influence in a multi disciplinary setting, and communicate clearly and effectively to explain complicated information to a wide range of people, negotiating with and persuading others to adopt a particular course of action that they may not otherwise wish to take.
You will undertake continued professional development and maintain records of your training in line with Social Work England requirements.

There will also be a requirement for you to work flexibly using your own initiative where appropriate. You will be required to travel throughout the County including to locations that are not always easily accessible by public transport. There is a regular and intrinsic requirement to communicate in English with members of the public.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Degree in Social Work or a recognised equivalent Social Work qualification e.g. Diploma in Social Work.
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Other recognised post-qualifying awards in Social Work e.g. Practice Educator, Best Interest Assessor (BIA), Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) is desirable but not essential for this role, if you can show demonstrable evidence of continuous professional development at a similar level.
• If already BIA or AMHP qualified practitioners, you will continue to contribute to BIA and AMHP service delivery, such staying on the existing rota.

Desirable

• Valid, full driving licence - Desirable

Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience of working in partnership with those who access the service and maintaining a focus on the needs and strengths of the people, and the outcomes they want to achieve, whilst handling conflict and disagreement.
• Experience of managing risk within a risk enablement approach.
• Excellent, up-to-date working knowledge of relevant legislation e.g. Care Act (2014), Mental Capacity Act (2005) etc.
• Experience of undertaking assessments in complex situations and social work intervention planning, implementation, and review by means of creative and pragmatic solutions.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Degree in Social Work or a recognised equivalent Social Work qualification e.g. Diploma in Social Work.
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Other recognised post-qualifying awards in Social Work e.g. Practice Educator, Best Interest Assessor (BIA), Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) is desirable but not essential for this role, if you can show demonstrable evidence of continuous professional development at a similar level.
• If already BIA or AMHP qualified practitioners, you will continue to contribute to BIA and AMHP service delivery, such staying on the existing rota.

Desirable

• Valid, full driving licence - Desirable

Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience of working in partnership with those who access the service and maintaining a focus on the needs and strengths of the people, and the outcomes they want to achieve, whilst handling conflict and disagreement.
• Experience of managing risk within a risk enablement approach.
• Excellent, up-to-date working knowledge of relevant legislation e.g. Care Act (2014), Mental Capacity Act (2005) etc.
• Experience of undertaking assessments in complex situations and social work intervention planning, implementation, and review by means of creative and pragmatic solutions.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: West Sussex County Council
Address: Glebelands, Shoreham, West Sussex, BN43 6GA, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details
Employer name: West Sussex County Council
Address: Glebelands, Shoreham, West Sussex, BN43 6GA, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Recruitment Specialist
Rachael Doolan
rachael.doolan@westsussex.gov.uk
03302224945

Details
Date posted: 07 July 2026
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £48,226 to £51,356 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 8 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: F0052-CPP01383
Job locations: Glebelands, Shoreham, West Sussex, BN43 6GA, United Kingdom

Supporting documents
Supporting links (all open in new tabs)
West Sussex County Council Application page

Privacy notice
West Sussex County Council's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)