Social Worker - Supported Living Services
| Posting date: | 09 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £35,412 to £46,075 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 February 2026 |
| Location: | Reading, Berkshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Reading Borough Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Reading Borough Council is seeking a passionate and motivated Social Worker to join an exciting 3-year Supported Living Project, focused on improving outcomes, independence and quality of life for people living in supported living services.
This is a unique opportunity to work in a specialist, forward-thinking role, helping to develop and influence supported living services across Reading and beyond, while being fully supported in your professional development and long-term career within Adult Social Care.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the Role:
As a Social Worker in our Supported Living Project, you will hold a varied caseload across supported living services both within and outside the Reading Borough. You will work directly with people we support, their families, providers and partner organisations to improve outcomes and promote independence.
You will:
Work with people living in supported living services to ensure support plans are person-centred, strengths-based and outcome-focused
Contribute to service improvement and quality assurance across the supported living market
Work closely with the project Occupational Therapist, care providers, Housing Services and Health colleagues
Operate confidently within the legal framework, applying relevant legislation, guidance, policies and procedures
Play an active role in shaping innovative ways of working within supported living
This role combines direct social work practice with the opportunity to influence and improve services at a system level.
The Supported Living Project:
We currently support around 380 people living in supported living services, delivered by approximately 50 providers, ranging from a few hours of weekly support to 24/7 services.
The project places people, innovation and outcomes at the heart of supported living. Our aim is to work collaboratively with people, families and providers to:
Embed strengths-based, outcome-focused support planning
Increase the use of assistive technology and digital solutions
Ensure reablement and enablement approaches are central to support
Support people to move towards greater independence where possible
Ensure services are co-produced with the people who live in them
Implement and embed the REACH standards consistently across the market
While this is a funded 3-year project, there is a clear and planned transition for the postholder into another Adult Social Care team at the end of the project, providing long-term stability and career progression.
About you:
You will hold a degree in Social Work and be registered with Social Work England. An interest in supported living and in exploring and developing new ways of working is important, along with being open to innovation and change—both as a participant and a leader.
You will demonstrate a passion for improving services for people, strong influencing skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with team members, providers, and partner organisations.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
About Reading:
We offer excellent support, supervision, and induction. You will have access to our Learning and Development programme and be supported in your career and personal growth with opportunities to learn and develop new professional skills, helping you to build your Continuing Professional Development portfolio and supporting you to grow as a Social Worker.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer:
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
Maternity, adoption, parental and sick pay
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Access to a range of training and learning opportunities to help you develop
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
Closing date: Sunday 1st February 2026
Interview date: To be confirmed
Interview setup: In person at the Civic Offices, Reading
If you would like to find out more about this role and the team, please contact Sandra Sheldon – Review Team – Team Manager - sandra.sheldon@reading.gov.uk or call 07834 802 697
Visit: www.moretoreading.co.uk to find out more about Reading’s Community & Adult Social Care Services. It’s a chance to hear from the people who already work here and why they have chosen Reading as their professional destination.
This is a unique opportunity to work in a specialist, forward-thinking role, helping to develop and influence supported living services across Reading and beyond, while being fully supported in your professional development and long-term career within Adult Social Care.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the Role:
As a Social Worker in our Supported Living Project, you will hold a varied caseload across supported living services both within and outside the Reading Borough. You will work directly with people we support, their families, providers and partner organisations to improve outcomes and promote independence.
You will:
Work with people living in supported living services to ensure support plans are person-centred, strengths-based and outcome-focused
Contribute to service improvement and quality assurance across the supported living market
Work closely with the project Occupational Therapist, care providers, Housing Services and Health colleagues
Operate confidently within the legal framework, applying relevant legislation, guidance, policies and procedures
Play an active role in shaping innovative ways of working within supported living
This role combines direct social work practice with the opportunity to influence and improve services at a system level.
The Supported Living Project:
We currently support around 380 people living in supported living services, delivered by approximately 50 providers, ranging from a few hours of weekly support to 24/7 services.
The project places people, innovation and outcomes at the heart of supported living. Our aim is to work collaboratively with people, families and providers to:
Embed strengths-based, outcome-focused support planning
Increase the use of assistive technology and digital solutions
Ensure reablement and enablement approaches are central to support
Support people to move towards greater independence where possible
Ensure services are co-produced with the people who live in them
Implement and embed the REACH standards consistently across the market
While this is a funded 3-year project, there is a clear and planned transition for the postholder into another Adult Social Care team at the end of the project, providing long-term stability and career progression.
About you:
You will hold a degree in Social Work and be registered with Social Work England. An interest in supported living and in exploring and developing new ways of working is important, along with being open to innovation and change—both as a participant and a leader.
You will demonstrate a passion for improving services for people, strong influencing skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with team members, providers, and partner organisations.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
About Reading:
We offer excellent support, supervision, and induction. You will have access to our Learning and Development programme and be supported in your career and personal growth with opportunities to learn and develop new professional skills, helping you to build your Continuing Professional Development portfolio and supporting you to grow as a Social Worker.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer:
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
Maternity, adoption, parental and sick pay
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Access to a range of training and learning opportunities to help you develop
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
Closing date: Sunday 1st February 2026
Interview date: To be confirmed
Interview setup: In person at the Civic Offices, Reading
If you would like to find out more about this role and the team, please contact Sandra Sheldon – Review Team – Team Manager - sandra.sheldon@reading.gov.uk or call 07834 802 697
Visit: www.moretoreading.co.uk to find out more about Reading’s Community & Adult Social Care Services. It’s a chance to hear from the people who already work here and why they have chosen Reading as their professional destination.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.