Location: Hastings and Uckfield, East Sussex, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
Employer: East Sussex County Council
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £40,109 – £45,850 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week
Number of Openings: 5
Closing Date: 23 August 2026
Job Reference: 4015
Are you an experienced Social Worker looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of adults with learning disabilities? East Sussex County Council is recruiting Social Workers to join its Community Learning Disability Service in Hastings and Uckfield.
This role offers the opportunity to work within a supportive multidisciplinary team using strengths-based and person-centred approaches. Successful candidates will support adults to live more independent and fulfilling lives while working across complex safeguarding, legal, mental capacity and social care matters.
Read the full job details, eligibility requirements, salary information, benefits, and application steps below ⤵
Social Worker Job Overview
East Sussex County Council is looking for experienced and committed Social Workers who can confidently work within a complex legal and safeguarding environment.
The successful candidates will join the Community Learning Disability Service and manage a varied and complex caseload. The role involves working closely with adults with learning disabilities, their families and carers, health professionals, partner agencies and legal teams.
Social Workers will also have opportunities to develop their professional knowledge in areas including the Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding, Best Interests decision-making and Court of Protection processes.
Key Responsibilities
As a Social Worker within the Community Learning Disability Service, your responsibilities will include:
- Managing complex social work caseloads and prioritising cases according to risk and statutory deadlines.
- Managing cases involving Court of Protection deadlines and safeguarding concerns.
- Acting as Lead Enquiry Officer for Section 42 Safeguarding Enquiries under the Care Act 2014.
- Applying the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) effectively in social work practice.
- Making Best Interests decisions where appropriate.
- Contributing to community Deprivation of Liberty (DoL) assessments and applications.
- Supporting Court of Protection applications under Section 21A and Section 16.
- Working collaboratively with partner agencies, legal professionals and health services.
- Attending court where required.
- Applying transferable legal experience, including experience from Mental Health Tribunals or Magistrates' Court proceedings, where relevant.
- Promoting person-centred and strengths-based approaches to social work practice.
- Supporting adults with learning disabilities to achieve greater independence and positive outcomes.
- Contributing positively to multidisciplinary team working and professional learning.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should be able to demonstrate the following:
- A recognised Social Work qualification.
- Current registration with the relevant professional regulatory body.
- Successful completion of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE), or an equivalent qualification where applicable.
- Knowledge of relevant legal and policy frameworks that inform social work practice.
- Awareness of current case law relevant to social work practice.
- Strong accountability and professional judgement when identifying, assessing and managing risk.
- Ability to seek appropriate support and develop solutions when managing complex situations.
- Strong partnership-working and networking skills.
- Ability to promote effective information sharing with partner agencies.
- Ability to work collaboratively with service users, carers and external professionals.
- A positive approach to teamwork and professional learning.
- Ability to meet the travelling requirements of the role.
Desirable Skills and Experience
Experience or knowledge in the following areas would be particularly relevant to this position:
- Adult social care.
- Learning disability services.
- Safeguarding.
- Mental Capacity Act assessments.
- Best Interests decision-making.
- Community Deprivation of Liberty assessments.
- Court of Protection applications.
- Section 21A and Section 16 applications.
- Multi-agency working.
- Complex case management.
- Legal and statutory social work frameworks.
Salary and Working Pattern
Salary: £40,109 – £45,850 per annum
Working hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Locations:
- Cavendish House, Hastings, TN34 3AA
- Bellbrook Centre, Uckfield, TN22 1QL
The position operates on a hybrid working basis.
There are 5 positions available.
Benefits and Career Development
East Sussex County Council offers a range of benefits and professional development opportunities.
Employees joining the Community Learning Disability Service can benefit from:
- Hybrid working arrangements.
- A supportive multidisciplinary working environment.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Opportunities to develop expertise in Best Interests decision-making.
- Opportunities to work with the Mental Capacity Act and community Deprivation of Liberty processes.
- Experience working on Court of Protection applications.
- Potential development pathways towards roles such as Best Interests Assessor (BIA).
- Opportunities to progress towards Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS).
- Vocational training through apprenticeship programmes, where applicable.
- Supportive professional learning and development.
Why Join the Community Learning Disability Service?
The service places strong emphasis on person-centred and strengths-based social work.
This is an opportunity for experienced Social Workers to take on challenging and rewarding cases while developing specialist knowledge in mental capacity, safeguarding and legal frameworks.
You will work alongside colleagues from different professional backgrounds and contribute to decisions that can have a significant positive impact on the lives of adults with learning disabilities.
Additional Information
The position is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Applicants who have lived or worked abroad may be required to provide evidence of an overseas police check.
Candidates who require sponsorship to work in the UK should indicate this in their application so the hiring manager can assess eligibility for sponsorship.
Reasonable adjustments are available for candidates with disabilities who require support to participate fully in the recruitment process.
Interviews are expected to take place via Microsoft Teams within two weeks of the closing date.
Employer Contact
For an informal discussion about the role, contact:
Scott Templeman
Operations Manager
Email: scott.templeman@eastsussex.gov.uk
How to Apply
To apply for the Social Worker – Adults with Learning Disabilities position, click the Apply Now button below and complete the online application.
Applicants should upload:
- An up-to-date CV.
- A supporting statement explaining how their skills, experience and professional values make them suitable for the role.
Your supporting statement should clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria outlined in the job description and person specification.
Candidates are encouraged to review the employer's application guidance and information regarding the use of AI before submitting their application.
Click the Apply Now button below to begin your application.
Important Application Details
Job Title: Social Worker
Employer: East Sussex County Council
Job Reference: 4015
Location: Hastings and Uckfield, East Sussex
Salary: £40,109 – £45,850 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Job Type: Full-time
Working Arrangement: Hybrid
Vacancies: 5
Closing Date: 23 August 2026
Application: Click the Apply Now button below to apply.
Please note that vacancies may close earlier if sufficient applications are received. Candidates should review the official job description and person specification carefully before applying.
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