Job Description
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives.
Based at NHS House in Bath, we are looking for a compassionate, motivated and dynamic Social Work Service Lead to take on a newly created leadership role across B&NES community mental health services, including Early Intervention, Older Adults CMHT and Recovery Team. This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping how integrated health and social care services work locally, ensuring people experience coordinated, high‑quality and legally sound support in their communities.
About the role:
Employed by B&NES Local Authority and working closely with Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP), the role spans both systems and is supported by clear governance arrangements through a formal Memorandum of Understanding and strong partnership arrangement. You will join a welcoming and forward‑thinking senior leadership group, working together to strengthen integration, improve oversight and ensure that social care expertise is fully embedded alongside health leadership.
The role has been created to bring greater clarity, consistency and confidence to the local authority responsibilities within the integrated teams. You will lead on strengthening governance and assurance while also streamlining core processes such as HR, budget management, quality and performance reporting, roster systems and links to clinical and professional governance. As a visible and trusted leader, you will act as a point of escalation for complex professional and statutory matters and contribute flexibly across the senior leadership team when required.
A key part of the role is providing specialist professional supervision to senior social workers, supporting reflective, evidence‑based practice and maintaining strong legal literacy and professional confidence. You will lead service improvement activity, including auditing practice, identifying learning and ensuring statutory duties are met, while also supporting AWP’s transformation agenda and the development of social workers in their core professional roles within community mental health services.
About you:
We are keen to hear from leaders who lead with compassion and credibility, enjoy working with people, and bring energy and curiosity to their practice. You will be someone who can think strategically, build trust across organisational boundaries and remain grounded in practice and values. This role will suit someone who is motivated by improving systems, strengthening professional practice and making a meaningful difference for people accessing secondary community mental health support in B&NES.
If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Karyn Yee-King, Head of Service Mental Health and Safeguarding Assurance on 01225 477347 or email karyn_yee-king@bathnes.gov.uk
Interview date: TBC
No agencies please.
*Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.
Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
About Bath and North East Somerset Council.
Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.
Why Bath and North East Somerset Council?
We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-benefits
At Bath and North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve peoples lives. Find out more about our values at https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-values
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity
We are a Disability Confident Employer – find out more at https://shorturl.at/ajrsW
The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.
Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.