Job summary
Emergency Services Band 8a Social Worker Lead (Fixed Term/Secondment 12 Months) based in the Bristol Ambulance Control Room in Bradley Stoke
This is a newly created post to support and lead a high standard of Social Work practice within the Emergency Services Mental Health Triage Service and act as a MCA/MHA clinical expert to the SWASFT Ambulance Trust.
This is a partnership role hosted by the local mental health trust (AWP) but supporting the South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (SWASFT) as a clinical expert across the South West Region. Clinical leadership will include expert involvement in training and review of incidents relating to MCA and MHA. Supervision and clinical support to existing senior social work and AMHP staff embedded within the EST model.
The post-holder will lead and inspire the service to deliver high quality Social Work practice within the Urgent and Emergency Care Pathway.
The post holder will lead by example and demonstrate excellent clinical practice through clinical shifts working as part of the Emergency Mental Health Services Triage in the Bristol area.
The post holder will take a key role in working in partnership with the existing AWP social worker leads to build on the relationships with LAs.
Under the management of the SWASFT head of mental health and with clinical support from the Head of Statutory Delivery, Social Work and Social Care, the post holder will form a key member of the EST senior management team .
Main duties of the job
We are looking for an experienced Social Worker to provide leadership to Social Workers across the 999 Emergency Services Mental Health Triage Service (EST) and act as a clinical lead in the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act for SWASFT.
This is an exciting opportunity to take a key role in transforming and enhancing Social Work provision into the 999 pathway. The successful applicant will have a high-level understanding of Local Authority Social Care responsibilities and clinical standards and will have expert clinical skills gained through regular clinical practice .
They will have expert knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act applying this knowledge to support SWASFT through training and serious care review. They will need to be highly flexible and able to work in a new role that will continuously develop over time.
The post-holders will report to both the SWASFT (Ambulance) Head of Mental Health and the Head of Social Work and Social Care based in Nursing and Quality. They will need to be able to balance the demands of this and use this connection to achieve positive outcomes. They will need to have the skills to work in close partnership with key Local Authority colleagues to achieve the aims of the post.
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Providing Social Work Leadership1. To provide direct leadership and support to Social Workers working in the AWP Emergency Services Mental Health Triage (EST) Service based in Bristol
2. To take a leadership role in the strategic development of the service working with key stakeholders
3. To contribute to the delivery of the integrated business to ensure the delivery of key targets in relation to service performance, integrated governance, workforce planning, partnership development and financial sustainability.
4. To act as a clinical lead (alongside other MH leads) in SWASFT to provide leadership and specialist advice with regard to the training and development of Ambulance staff to work within the appropriate legal frameworks including the Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Act
5. To develop and maintain communication with a wide range of people/services/ agencies about highly complex and/or situations with the purpose of sharing developing or resolving difficult or complex issues for the benefit of service users/carer.
6. To exercise a high level of professional judgement in relationship to concerns raised by other professionals to assess and support the level of risk within complex cases and situations.
7. To help to facilitate the consideration of the social care agenda within service and pathway transformation and integrated care development
8. Taking a key role in enabling and enhancing the functioning of the social care health and social care partnership pathways. Including; AMHP/AWP interface, Forensic Social Supervision, Tribunal and Managers Hearing reports, Section 117, Care Act assessments and Social Care service provision, Hospital discharge and DTOC and Formal Carers Assessments
9. Creating links with key Third Sector Organisations and Local Authorities beyond Adult Social Care, e.g. Housing, Community Development, Education etc.
10. To contribute to the delivery of the integrated business to ensure the delivery of key targets in relation to service performance, integrated governance, workforce planning, partnership development and financial sustainability
11. To develop and maintain communication with a wide range of people/services/ agencies about complex Social Care matters with the purpose of sharing developing or resolving difficult or complex issues for the benefit of service users/carer.
12. To exercise a high level of professional judgment in relationship to concerns raised by other professionals to assess and support the level of risk within complex cases and situations
13. To support Social Care Leadership within Specialised Services and CAMHS (Where these services are provided by AWP) to help them develop and maintain good partnership working with the Local Authorities
Providing Professional Social Work Leadership within the Division 16. Under the direction of the SWASFT Head of Mental Health for SWASFT to be responsible for supporting the delivery of high quality professional social work within the EST service.
17. To facilitate and provide professional supervision, support professional development and registration and to ensure that Professional standards are maintained.
18. To lead the development of strategies regarding the recruitment and retention of Social Workers. To assist with recruitment, induction and career development.
19. To lead on the alignment of Social Work Practice with identified National Best Practice in Social Work and to maximise the effectiveness of social work within the Division.
20. To work in partnership with the Local Authorities to create and maintain links with the local universities and to facilitate and support Social Work student placements, Think Ahead trainees and Social Work Apprenticeships within the Division.
21. To support newly qualified social workers through the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment scheme.
22. To work closely with local authority to develop opportunities for training and development, including potentially the development of AWP employed AMHPs
23. In line with all AWP clinical/professional leadership post holders, the post-holder will be required to maintain their practice through working directly with service users for one day per week.
24. Demonstrate responsibility for developing own practice in line with professional qualifications and for the development of others, both practitioners, and those in training by making use of and providing, effective feedback, professional supervision, coaching and regular social work forums.
25. To facilitate links regionally and nationally with Professional Social Work networks. To enable other Social Workers to link with these networks to ensure best practice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Providing Social Work Leadership1. To provide direct leadership and support to Social Workers working in the AWP Emergency Services Mental Health Triage (EST) Service based in Bristol
2. To take a leadership role in the strategic development of the service working with key stakeholders
3. To contribute to the delivery of the integrated business to ensure the delivery of key targets in relation to service performance, integrated governance, workforce planning, partnership development and financial sustainability.
4. To act as a clinical lead (alongside other MH leads) in SWASFT to provide leadership and specialist advice with regard to the training and development of Ambulance staff to work within the appropriate legal frameworks including the Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Act
5. To develop and maintain communication with a wide range of people/services/ agencies about highly complex and/or situations with the purpose of sharing developing or resolving difficult or complex issues for the benefit of service users/carer.
6. To exercise a high level of professional judgement in relationship to concerns raised by other professionals to assess and support the level of risk within complex cases and situations.
7. To help to facilitate the consideration of the social care agenda within service and pathway transformation and integrated care development
8. Taking a key role in enabling and enhancing the functioning of the social care health and social care partnership pathways. Including; AMHP/AWP interface, Forensic Social Supervision, Tribunal and Managers Hearing reports, Section 117, Care Act assessments and Social Care service provision, Hospital discharge and DTOC and Formal Carers Assessments
9. Creating links with key Third Sector Organisations and Local Authorities beyond Adult Social Care, e.g. Housing, Community Development, Education etc.
10. To contribute to the delivery of the integrated business to ensure the delivery of key targets in relation to service performance, integrated governance, workforce planning, partnership development and financial sustainability
11. To develop and maintain communication with a wide range of people/services/ agencies about complex Social Care matters with the purpose of sharing developing or resolving difficult or complex issues for the benefit of service users/carer.
12. To exercise a high level of professional judgment in relationship to concerns raised by other professionals to assess and support the level of risk within complex cases and situations
13. To support Social Care Leadership within Specialised Services and CAMHS (Where these services are provided by AWP) to help them develop and maintain good partnership working with the Local Authorities
Providing Professional Social Work Leadership within the Division 16. Under the direction of the SWASFT Head of Mental Health for SWASFT to be responsible for supporting the delivery of high quality professional social work within the EST service.
17. To facilitate and provide professional supervision, support professional development and registration and to ensure that Professional standards are maintained.
18. To lead the development of strategies regarding the recruitment and retention of Social Workers. To assist with recruitment, induction and career development.
19. To lead on the alignment of Social Work Practice with identified National Best Practice in Social Work and to maximise the effectiveness of social work within the Division.
20. To work in partnership with the Local Authorities to create and maintain links with the local universities and to facilitate and support Social Work student placements, Think Ahead trainees and Social Work Apprenticeships within the Division.
21. To support newly qualified social workers through the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment scheme.
22. To work closely with local authority to develop opportunities for training and development, including potentially the development of AWP employed AMHPs
23. In line with all AWP clinical/professional leadership post holders, the post-holder will be required to maintain their practice through working directly with service users for one day per week.
24. Demonstrate responsibility for developing own practice in line with professional qualifications and for the development of others, both practitioners, and those in training by making use of and providing, effective feedback, professional supervision, coaching and regular social work forums.
25. To facilitate links regionally and nationally with Professional Social Work networks. To enable other Social Workers to link with these networks to ensure best practice.
Person Specification
skills
Essential
- Clinical assessment within the Emergency and Urgent Care Pathway
Desirable
- Experience of conducting mental health assessments within a high risk situation such as emergency or urgent response
education
Essential
- Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England
- Formal post-graduate diploma level qualification in a relevant field or expertise gained in practice, alongside a willingness and relevant competence to apply for and complete.
- Substantial post-registration experience gained working in front-line services with the most complex clinical cases equivalent to Masters level
- An in depth understanding of Social Work and mental health services
- Highly developed written communication skills, with experience of compiling and sorting notes and reports, establishing statistical data and analysing information
- Able to articulate an advanced and detailed understanding of the relevant legal frameworks/legislation including CPA process, Mental Health Act , Mental Capacity Act, and Safeguarding, in order to lead and manage others
- Substantial experience of delivering mental health social care - with a well developed understanding of relevant Local Authority processes.
Desirable
- Highly developed verbal communication skills, able to engage effectively with people at all levels even when a more assertive approach is needed.
Knowledge
Essential
- To have awareness of current national social work developments.
Desirable
- Highly developed active listening skills, which allow for reframing and testing of understanding
Person Specification
skills
Essential
- Clinical assessment within the Emergency and Urgent Care Pathway
Desirable
- Experience of conducting mental health assessments within a high risk situation such as emergency or urgent response
education
Essential
- Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England
- Formal post-graduate diploma level qualification in a relevant field or expertise gained in practice, alongside a willingness and relevant competence to apply for and complete.
- Substantial post-registration experience gained working in front-line services with the most complex clinical cases equivalent to Masters level
- An in depth understanding of Social Work and mental health services
- Highly developed written communication skills, with experience of compiling and sorting notes and reports, establishing statistical data and analysing information
- Able to articulate an advanced and detailed understanding of the relevant legal frameworks/legislation including CPA process, Mental Health Act , Mental Capacity Act, and Safeguarding, in order to lead and manage others
- Substantial experience of delivering mental health social care - with a well developed understanding of relevant Local Authority processes.
Desirable
- Highly developed verbal communication skills, able to engage effectively with people at all levels even when a more assertive approach is needed.
Knowledge
Essential
- To have awareness of current national social work developments.
Desirable
- Highly developed active listening skills, which allow for reframing and testing of understanding
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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