Social Worker - Quality Assurance

Job Description

Job Title: Social Worker (Quality Assurance)
Salary: £39,027 – £44,463 per annum (pro rata if part-time)
Grade: E
Contract Type: 12 months Fixed Term Contract
Working Hours: 37 hours per week

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Social Worker (Quality Assurance) to join our Adult Social Care team. This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified social worker who is passionate about driving excellence, improving outcomes for adults, and supporting a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Working closely with operational managers, practitioners, and senior leaders, you will play a key role in monitoring, evaluating, and improving the quality of social work practice across Adult Social Care services. Through audits, case file reviews, thematic reviews, and quality assurance activities, you will help ensure that services are delivered in line with legislative requirements, professional standards, and best practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support audits, case file reviews, and thematic evaluations across Adult Social Care teams.
• Analyse audit findings to identify strengths, areas for development, and emerging themes.
• Produce high-quality reports and performance information to support service improvement.
• Work collaboratively with practitioners, managers and providers to develop action plans.
• Monitor compliance with statutory duties, policies, procedures, and professional standards.
• Support the development and implementation of quality assurance frameworks and improvement programmes.
• Work collaboratively with managers and practitioners to embed learning from audits, complaints, safeguarding enquiries, and service reviews.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of practice guidance, workshops, and learning events.
• Support the preparation of inspections, peer reviews, and regulatory assessments.
• Promote a culture of reflective practice, continuous improvement, and person-centred care.
• Provide support to the Service Manager for Quality Assurance Service Manager and Senior Practitioner (Quality Assurance).

About You

You will be a qualified and registered Social Worker with a strong understanding of Adult Social Care legislation, policy, and practice. You will have excellent analytical skills and the ability to review practice objectively while supporting colleagues to achieve high standards.

Essential Requirements

• Degree or recognised qualification in Social Work.
• Registration with Social Work England.
• Minimum of two years' post-qualification experience in Adult Social Care.
• Strong knowledge of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, safeguarding legislation, and related statutory guidance.
• Experience of undertaking or engaging with audits, quality assurance activities, or practice reviews.
• Excellent written, verbal, and analytical skills.
• Ability to interpret data and present findings clearly.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and delivering positive outcomes for adults.
• Proficient use of IT systems, e.g. Microsoft Office/365, Oracle, and Liquidlogic.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in a quality assurance, practice improvement, or audit-focused role.
• Evidence of post qualification study.
• Experience of inspection preparation and service evaluation.
• Knowledge of performance management and quality improvement methodologies.

Essential Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker and registered with Social Work England.
DBS Check: Enhanced with Adults Barred List is required for this post

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 13th August 2026

Closing Date (Internal & External): 6th September 2026

Interview Date: 16th September 2026

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:

Trudy Marfo-Amponsah – Service Manager

Phone Number: 01375 652850

Email: QualityAssuranceASC@thurrock.gov.uk

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.

Safer Recruitment Application Requirements

As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management from when leaving full-time education is required for all Safeguarding roles. Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application. Please provide a full history with explanations of any gaps and ensure you also upload a copy of your full CV.

Gaps in Employment Form

Gaps in Employment Example

About us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council