Job summary
We are partnering with Think Ahead - a charity that works with NHS and Local Authority mental health services to strengthen the contribution of social work. We'll be taking on four trainee social workers (participants) who will join the organisation in August 2024. This is a great opportunity for an experienced social worker to take on the role of Consultant Social Worker/Associate Consultant Social Worker.
In this role you will:
- Join a network of leaders across the country promoting and strengthening mental health social work.
- Lead and develop four talented participants, who are passionate about mental health and social work.
- Develop your skills in practice, supervision, and education.
- Get fully funded CPD training with Middlesex University.
Main duties of the job
In this full-time fixed-term position, you'll manage a "unit" of four or six participants who are placed in an adult mental health service. This role is open to job share. You retain a frontline role, share a service user caseload, and act as their leader and role model. You will provide practice education of outstanding quality. You'll work with an academic tutor and assess participants' ability to put social work theories, interventions, and legislation into practice. There may be an option to be an Associate CSW and supervise one or two participants whilst undertaking PEPS training.
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
- Responsible for all cases allocated to the Think Ahead unit ensuring that effective social work support is provided in each case in accordance with relevant legislation and local/national policy.
- Acting as a role-model for outstanding evidence-based social work practice to Think Ahead participants.
To operate at senior social work level within a multi-disciplinary team(s), ensuring the delivery and development of effective and best quality services in accordance with the service operational policy and quality performance targets. To investigate and manage risk, undertake complex assessments, undertake appropriate onward planning of care, providing specialist mental health advice, support and interventions to staff, carers and service users and other agencies. To provide expert leadership in relation to key legislation including the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Safeguarding and other key elements of the Care Act.
Development of a high-quality practice learning experience:
- Approve all allocated work to participants prior to their allocation and develop their practice skills in line with their learning needs.
- Work with the Team Manager / Senior Practitioner to ensure a sufficiently varied caseload, so that participants are best-placed to become practice-ready at the point of qualification.
- Meet regularly with and provide support to Associate Consultant Social Worker if applicable.
- CSW is responsible for managing each of the participants, leave, recall and sickness days.
- Provide weekly individual supervision, weekly case consultation meeting (CCM) and ad hoc support to participants when required.
- Work closely with participants as they are exposed to varied and increasingly complex casework as their placement progresses.
- Engage in and support the coordination of the Contrasted Learning Experience process. In addition support frontline participants CLE placement within teams by providing support and supervision and undertaking direct observations.
- Promote wellbeing and self-care of the participants.
- Promote a growing degree of autonomy in participants practice to ensure practice-readiness at the point of qualification, while retaining accountability for all cases held within the unit.
- Support participants to develop leadership qualities in practice.
- Be proactive in suggesting improvements to the CSW and participant experience as a part of Think Ahead feedback initiatives.
- Active engagement in coaching sessions with Think Ahead Practice Specialist.
- Act as an ambassador for Think Ahead within your organisation, raising awareness of the programme and of the models of intervention that comprise the Think Ahead curriculum, as well as supporting integration of the unit within the organisation.
- Act as an ASYE Assessor where required for year 2 Think Ahead participants. To include 3 direct observations, completion of reports at review points and recommendation of pass or fail. This is in line with AWPs ASYE programme as guided by Skills for Care.
Assessment and performance management:
- Formal assessment of written and practical work completed by Think Ahead participants on placement, including participant reports and regular direct observations of practice, according to Middlesex Universitys assessment timelines.
- Complete midway and final reports for each participant at each placement stage.
- Provide feedback to participants, addressing performance issues together with the Academic Tutor and Practice Specialist (Think ahead) which may lead to support planning processes.
Consultant Social Worker training programme:
- All Consultant Social Workers are required to attend teaching days on social interventions in mental health with the Think Ahead programme plus structured self-learning RBP is for 5 days of teaching.
- There will be 11 CSW Development Days.
- Consultant Social Workers will also be required to complete assignments, direct observations with their academic tutor and other private study outside of teaching days towards their Post-Graduate Certificate in Advanced Social Work (PEPS).
- To be a core and visible member of the team(s), operating at senior social worker level.
- To provide a highly specialised range of social interventions relevant to the care group and have knowledge of evidence based models of practice.
- To deliver care in line with AWP policies and procedures. To oversee, as the lead practitioner, a caseload of service users with complex health needs. Sharing this case load with the Think Ahead participants.
- To work in partnership with the individual service users, their families and carers to ensure the delivery of the care plan, and to enable the development of a plan to facilitate their safety, promote their well-being and support independence and inclusion in the community. This may include working closely with partner agencies.
- To support the development care plans that meet the needs of the individual and their family/carers as appropriate and that are focused on strengths and are outcome based.
- To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment and care in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
- To work with carers and family members, offering carers assessments and providing support and information to them as indicated. Signposting to third sector agencies to ensure they receive appropriate advice and support. Advising them about the risk formulation for the service user, within the boundaries of confidentiality.
- To monitor; risk, progress and where necessary compliance including the service users views to their care and treatment and to work in partnership with the service users family and carers.
- To carry out assessments of service users work/educational / vocational and housing needs/aspirations and ensure that these are met where appropriate.
- To carry out carers assessments or make referral to enable this and implement a plan of care accordingly.
- To work closely and in partnership with colleagues in other services within the Trust in a collaborative way, ensuring that decisions are made that ensure the best care for service users and that there is a seamless pathway.
- To signpost service users and carers to other services and make onward referrals to support identified needs.
- To develop professional networks and keep abreast of local resources; third sector partners, primary care, housing, education, social care and other statutory organisations in order to ensure that the patient is able to navigate the full health and social care system.
- To promote awareness of the role of social work within the team and across the service.
- To apply highly specialist skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practice.
- To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.
Communication
- To communicate complex and sensitive information effectively both with colleagues and with service users and carers.
- Key relationships:
- Divisional Social Work Leads
- Service Managers
- Team Managers and Senior Practitioners
- The Think Ahead participants
- The Think Ahead programme team and academic team
Professional
- Maintaining own professional development through full participation in the Think Ahead programme.
- Ensuring that Registration and revalidation is current and compliant with Social Work England regulations and guidelines.
- Ensuring that supervision both clinical and management are undertaken in line with Trust policies.
Research and Development Activity
- Required to undertake regular research and development activity as appropriate.
- Participate in the operational planning, implementation of policy and service development within the team, leading on delegated projects.
Clinical and Practice Governance
- Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any service user/family/staff/ records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
- Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.
- The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.
- Be aware of and adhere to Trust infection control policies and procedures.
- Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by Avon & Wiltshire Partnership NHS Trust
- Participate in clinical and management supervision on a regular basis.
General
- The post holder must at all times carry out his/her duties with regard to Avon & Wiltshire Partnership NHS Trust Equal Opportunities Policy.
- The post holder will be required to attend internal and external meetings as agreed by their line manager, Divisional Social Work and Social Care Lead.
- To be aware of the responsibilities of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for service users, visitors and staff.
- All post holders must adhere to the code of conduct on confidentiality and be aware of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.
- This job description is intended only as a guide to the range of duties involved. The post holder will need to be flexible and adaptable in order to respond to other duties that may be required from time to time and the changes and developments within the Trust.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for disclosure to be made to the Criminal Records Bureau to check for any previous criminal convictions. Avon & Wiltshire Partnership NHS Trust sis committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff or users in line with its equal opportunities policy and policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Responsible for all cases allocated to the Think Ahead unit ensuring that effective social work support is provided in each case in accordance with relevant legislation and local/national policy.
- Acting as a role-model for outstanding evidence-based social work practice to Think Ahead participants.
To operate at senior social work level within a multi-disciplinary team(s), ensuring the delivery and development of effective and best quality services in accordance with the service operational policy and quality performance targets. To investigate and manage risk, undertake complex assessments, undertake appropriate onward planning of care, providing specialist mental health advice, support and interventions to staff, carers and service users and other agencies. To provide expert leadership in relation to key legislation including the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Safeguarding and other key elements of the Care Act.
Development of a high-quality practice learning experience:
- Approve all allocated work to participants prior to their allocation and develop their practice skills in line with their learning needs.
- Work with the Team Manager / Senior Practitioner to ensure a sufficiently varied caseload, so that participants are best-placed to become practice-ready at the point of qualification.
- Meet regularly with and provide support to Associate Consultant Social Worker if applicable.
- CSW is responsible for managing each of the participants, leave, recall and sickness days.
- Provide weekly individual supervision, weekly case consultation meeting (CCM) and ad hoc support to participants when required.
- Work closely with participants as they are exposed to varied and increasingly complex casework as their placement progresses.
- Engage in and support the coordination of the Contrasted Learning Experience process. In addition support frontline participants CLE placement within teams by providing support and supervision and undertaking direct observations.
- Promote wellbeing and self-care of the participants.
- Promote a growing degree of autonomy in participants practice to ensure practice-readiness at the point of qualification, while retaining accountability for all cases held within the unit.
- Support participants to develop leadership qualities in practice.
- Be proactive in suggesting improvements to the CSW and participant experience as a part of Think Ahead feedback initiatives.
- Active engagement in coaching sessions with Think Ahead Practice Specialist.
- Act as an ambassador for Think Ahead within your organisation, raising awareness of the programme and of the models of intervention that comprise the Think Ahead curriculum, as well as supporting integration of the unit within the organisation.
- Act as an ASYE Assessor where required for year 2 Think Ahead participants. To include 3 direct observations, completion of reports at review points and recommendation of pass or fail. This is in line with AWPs ASYE programme as guided by Skills for Care.
Assessment and performance management:
- Formal assessment of written and practical work completed by Think Ahead participants on placement, including participant reports and regular direct observations of practice, according to Middlesex Universitys assessment timelines.
- Complete midway and final reports for each participant at each placement stage.
- Provide feedback to participants, addressing performance issues together with the Academic Tutor and Practice Specialist (Think ahead) which may lead to support planning processes.
Consultant Social Worker training programme:
- All Consultant Social Workers are required to attend teaching days on social interventions in mental health with the Think Ahead programme plus structured self-learning RBP is for 5 days of teaching.
- There will be 11 CSW Development Days.
- Consultant Social Workers will also be required to complete assignments, direct observations with their academic tutor and other private study outside of teaching days towards their Post-Graduate Certificate in Advanced Social Work (PEPS).
- To be a core and visible member of the team(s), operating at senior social worker level.
- To provide a highly specialised range of social interventions relevant to the care group and have knowledge of evidence based models of practice.
- To deliver care in line with AWP policies and procedures. To oversee, as the lead practitioner, a caseload of service users with complex health needs. Sharing this case load with the Think Ahead participants.
- To work in partnership with the individual service users, their families and carers to ensure the delivery of the care plan, and to enable the development of a plan to facilitate their safety, promote their well-being and support independence and inclusion in the community. This may include working closely with partner agencies.
- To support the development care plans that meet the needs of the individual and their family/carers as appropriate and that are focused on strengths and are outcome based.
- To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment and care in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
- To work with carers and family members, offering carers assessments and providing support and information to them as indicated. Signposting to third sector agencies to ensure they receive appropriate advice and support. Advising them about the risk formulation for the service user, within the boundaries of confidentiality.
- To monitor; risk, progress and where necessary compliance including the service users views to their care and treatment and to work in partnership with the service users family and carers.
- To carry out assessments of service users work/educational / vocational and housing needs/aspirations and ensure that these are met where appropriate.
- To carry out carers assessments or make referral to enable this and implement a plan of care accordingly.
- To work closely and in partnership with colleagues in other services within the Trust in a collaborative way, ensuring that decisions are made that ensure the best care for service users and that there is a seamless pathway.
- To signpost service users and carers to other services and make onward referrals to support identified needs.
- To develop professional networks and keep abreast of local resources; third sector partners, primary care, housing, education, social care and other statutory organisations in order to ensure that the patient is able to navigate the full health and social care system.
- To promote awareness of the role of social work within the team and across the service.
- To apply highly specialist skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practice.
- To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.
Communication
- To communicate complex and sensitive information effectively both with colleagues and with service users and carers.
- Key relationships:
- Divisional Social Work Leads
- Service Managers
- Team Managers and Senior Practitioners
- The Think Ahead participants
- The Think Ahead programme team and academic team
Professional
- Maintaining own professional development through full participation in the Think Ahead programme.
- Ensuring that Registration and revalidation is current and compliant with Social Work England regulations and guidelines.
- Ensuring that supervision both clinical and management are undertaken in line with Trust policies.
Research and Development Activity
- Required to undertake regular research and development activity as appropriate.
- Participate in the operational planning, implementation of policy and service development within the team, leading on delegated projects.
Clinical and Practice Governance
- Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any service user/family/staff/ records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
- Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.
- The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.
- Be aware of and adhere to Trust infection control policies and procedures.
- Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by Avon & Wiltshire Partnership NHS Trust
- Participate in clinical and management supervision on a regular basis.
General
- The post holder must at all times carry out his/her duties with regard to Avon & Wiltshire Partnership NHS Trust Equal Opportunities Policy.
- The post holder will be required to attend internal and external meetings as agreed by their line manager, Divisional Social Work and Social Care Lead.
- To be aware of the responsibilities of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for service users, visitors and staff.
- All post holders must adhere to the code of conduct on confidentiality and be aware of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.
- This job description is intended only as a guide to the range of duties involved. The post holder will need to be flexible and adaptable in order to respond to other duties that may be required from time to time and the changes and developments within the Trust.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for disclosure to be made to the Criminal Records Bureau to check for any previous criminal convictions. Avon & Wiltshire Partnership NHS Trust sis committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff or users in line with its equal opportunities policy and policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders.
Person Specification
essential and desireable
Essential
- 2 years post qualifying experience
- Social Work Qualification
- Knowledge of legislation
- experience within Adult Mental Health Services
- Communication and organisational skills
Desirable
- PEPS 2 qualification
- Leadership qualification
- Supervisory experience
Person Specification
essential and desireable
Essential
- 2 years post qualifying experience
- Social Work Qualification
- Knowledge of legislation
- experience within Adult Mental Health Services
- Communication and organisational skills
Desirable
- PEPS 2 qualification
- Leadership qualification
- Supervisory experience
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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