Adults with Learning Disabilities Social Worker

1. The Progression and Next Steps Social Worker plays a key role in supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism, and/or complex needs to achieve positive outcomes at key transition points in their lives. The role focuses on strengths-based practice, promoting independence, and ensuring timely, outcome-focused reviews and planning that support individuals to progress towards greater autonomy, wellbeing, and inclusion. This post supports the service’s strategic aim of reducing long-term dependency, improving the quality of reviews, and enabling effective forward planning that aligns with the person’s aspirations and assessed needs.
2. Key Responsibilities Assessment, Review and Care Planning Undertake high-quality assessments and reviews (including annual reviews, progression reviews and reassessments), ensuring compliance with the Care Act 2014 and local policy. Identify and evidence changes in need or circumstances to inform appropriate adjustments to support packages. Develop person-centred, strengths-based support plans that promote independence, reduce reliance on long-term services, and increase community engagement.

Progression Planning Work proactively with individuals, families, and providers to explore opportunities for progression, skill development, and increased independence. Identify barriers to progression and collaborate with multi-disciplinary partners to address these. Ensure next steps and progression goals are clearly documented, monitored, and reviewed.

Multi-Disciplinary Working Work closely with health colleagues, education providers, housing, and internal teams to support seamless transitions and ensure holistic planning. Attend and contribute to complex case discussions, provider meetings and MDTs where required.

Quality, Evidence and Professional Standards Ensure all recommendations for changes to support packages are robustly evidenced, timely, and suitable for panel submission and decision-making. Maintain high-quality case recording and documentation in line with professional and organisational standards. Ensure practice complies with safeguarding duties, participating in enquiries as required.

Practice Development Support the development of good practice within the team by contributing to reflective sessions, case audits, and improvement initiatives. Engage in continuous professional development in line with Social Work England standards. Offer guidance and informal support to less experienced staff, including NQSWs, where appropriate.

3. Skills, Knowledge and Experience Essential Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration. Strong knowledge of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, and safeguarding procedures. Experience working with adults with learning disabilities, autism or complex needs. Ability to undertake clear, analytical assessments and provide evidence to support decision-making. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to work autonomously, prioritise effectively, and manage a varied caseload. Ability to negotiate with providers. Experience supporting individuals through transitions (e.g., education to adulthood, hospital discharge, moving-on pathways). Understanding of progression-focused models, PBS, supported living pathways, and strengths-based practice frameworks. Experience contributing to service improvement or quality assurance activity.

4. Values and Behaviours Commitment to promoting independence and enabling people to live their best lives. Person-centred, strengths-based approach. Professional curiosity, resilience and reflective practice. Commitment to equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice. Collaborative approach across teams and partners.