Jobs

Are you a passionate, forward‑thinking Social Work professional who loves developing others, driving best practice, and shaping the future of adult social care? If so, this is a great opportunity to play a leading role in strengthening social work practice across Wakefield.

We’re looking for a Social Work Professional Development Lead to champion high‑quality practice, support continuous learning, and influence real service improvement for the people of Wakefield.

Why join us?

This is a unique chance to take on a highly influential role where your expertise will directly improve outcomes for adults, carers and families across our district. You’ll be part of a supportive, ambitious directorate committed to learning, innovation and the “Wakefield Way” of flexible, hybrid working.

You’ll work alongside senior leaders, social work teams, universities, and the Leeds & Wakefield Social Work Teaching Partnership to help shape the next generation of social workers — as well as continually developing our existing workforce.

What you’ll be doing

As our Professional Development Lead, you will:

• Drive the implementation and embedding of our Quality Assurance Practice Framework.
• Lead the development of audit tools, learning interventions, workshops and masterclasses to grow practice excellence.
• Oversee and analyse quality assurance activity, turning insights into meaningful improvement.
• Work closely with the Principal Social Worker to set and promote practice standards.
• Lead the Social Work Professional Development Team, including supervision of the Learning & Development Advisor.
• Support the delivery of exceptional ASYE programmes, student placements, apprenticeships and practice education.
• Represent Wakefield in internal and external ASYE moderation, progression panels and teaching partnership activity.
• Write high‑quality reports to influence senior leadership and strategic decision making.
• Build strong partnerships that promote a culture of collaboration, learning and continuous improvement

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone who is:

• A qualified and registered Social Worker with significant post‑qualifying experience in adult social care.
• Skilled at leading, supervising or mentoring practitioners, students or NQSWs.
• Confident analysing data and writing clear, meaningful reports.
• Knowledgeable about adult social care legislation, governance, practice frameworks, KSS and PCF.
• A strong communicator who can influence at all levels and inspire confidence across services.
• Passionate about learning, development and delivering excellent practice across our workforce.

Practice Educator experience (Stage 1 or 2), ASYE assessor experience, and management qualifications are highly valued. What we offer

• A supportive, forward‑thinking environment where your ideas will drive meaningful change.
• Opportunities to shape workforce development at a strategic level.
• Hybrid working with flexibility where it matters.
• Continuous professional development and training.
• The chance to influence practice and outcomes across a major local authority.

Ready to make your mark?

If you’re driven to develop outstanding social work practice and want to be part of a team that values innovation, expertise and compassion, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and help shape the future of adult social care in Wakefield.

Want to know more?

If you would like to know more about the role, the recruitment process or working for Wakefield Council, feel free to contact.

Name:  Belinda Jones

Tel: 07721 444275

E-mail: belindajones@wakefield.gov.uk 

Company: Wakefield Council

Salary: £42,839.00 - £46,142.00, Grade 10

Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Sector: Health and Social Care

Sector: Social Care

Job Role: Social Worker