Making a difference: why Hampshire County Council should be your next career move

At Hampshire County Council, it’s the people who make the difference. That’s why Hampshire’s Heads of Service are committed to creating the right conditions for practitioners in their community teams to thrive.

From providing supportive environments to considered training opportunities, Hampshire offers practitioners the chance to make a real difference to the lives of those needing support to live as independently as possible.

Inspired by kindness

Sarah, a senior social worker in the older adults’ team in North East Hampshire, shares her story of getting started in social care. She recalls feeling inspired by the kindness of the social worker who delivered assessments for her grandmother.

Sarah’s own compassion and willingness to help were later recognised during her time as a voluntary special constable: “I remember my sergeant saying to me that I’d make a better social worker than police officer; I always wanted to know someone’s background in the hope I could help them.”

Diverse challenges, rewarding solutions

Sarah, a social worker in one of Hampshire’s older adults’ teams

Sarah is used to finding innovative solutions to the challenges of her role. When working with a resident in a local care home who had particularly high expectations of the staff, Sarah uncovered that he used to be a butler for members of the royal family. Her understanding of his background and some creative thinking led to a solution that suited everyone.

“I sourced a befriender butler from an association of butlers, who visited him and aided the staff in being better able to support him. It’s times when we can create outcomes like this that make the job rewarding.”

This example reflects the strengths-based approach that Hampshire County Council social workers use, which puts residents first and through which practitioners are empowered to provide the level of support they need.

Investing in your growth

Teams are offered ongoing professional development. Sarah has gone from strength to strength in her career post-qualification, taking advantage of multiple training opportunities.

“I was supported to take my best interests assessor qualification,” she says. “There are lots of opportunities for all different kinds of training and Hampshire County Council is very proactive in supporting ongoing development.”

Working together

Beyond the training opportunities and flexibility of its social workers, Hampshire County Council fosters a sense of collaboration and teamwork. Thriving within a team that values her expertise, Sarah references the culture of sharing experiences and outcomes.

“Teamwork is essential in this role. We need to support each other in our work, which we do very well as a district in North East Hampshire.”

The older adults’ teams are integrated within their local communities, making the most of strong relationships with local charities, NHS services and food banks to deliver the very best outcomes for residents.

Join our team

Are you a skilled social worker seeking a role where your efforts make a tangible difference? Do you value ongoing support and professional development? If so, Hampshire County Council is the ideal place for you.

Here, you’ll join a team dedicated to social work excellence, with the resources and support to help you achieve your career goals. Embark on a rewarding career with an employer that understands, “it’s our people who make the difference”.

Find out more by checking out our latest opportunities in adults’ social work.