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 2023. This is a great opportunity for one experienced social worker to take on the role of 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 fundedCPD training with Middlesex University.
Main duties of the job
In this full-time position, you'll manage a "unit" of four participants who are placed in an adult mental health service. 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.
You will operate at senior social work level within a multi-disciplinary team, ensuring the delivery and development of effective and best quality services in accordance with the service operational policy and quality performance targets.
About us
Benefits
You will be working within a community based mental health team as an experienced social worker.
You will join a group of Consultant Social Workers delivering a prestigious, high-profile initiative across the country (to date, Think Ahead has worked with more than half of NHS Trusts and over a third of Local Authorities).
You'll receive CPD training to develop your expertise in evidence-based interventions and leadership skills. You do not need to be a qualified practice educator as you will receive Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) training stages 1 and 2 with Middlesex University. If you have PEPS 2, you will do one day of PEPS refresher training.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To manage a unit of four participants who are placed in an adult mental health service.
- To retain a frontline role, share a service user caseload, and act as th participants leader and role model.
- To provide practice education of outstanding quality
- To be a core member of the team, operating at a senior social work 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 be responsible for an identified community caseload, shared with the Think Ahead participants, ensuring high standard of professional conduct to comply with best practice and professional accountabilities.
- To deliver delegated statutory social care duties under the Care Act, Safeguarding and other relevant legislation in a complex, multi-disciplinary environment.
- To access appropriate care and support packages for people with mental health needs, and/or their carers, adhering to local authority procedures.
- To practice as an Approved Mental Health professional (AMHP), or be willing to train and deliver duties and responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To manage a unit of four participants who are placed in an adult mental health service.
- To retain a frontline role, share a service user caseload, and act as th participants leader and role model.
- To provide practice education of outstanding quality
- To be a core member of the team, operating at a senior social work 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 be responsible for an identified community caseload, shared with the Think Ahead participants, ensuring high standard of professional conduct to comply with best practice and professional accountabilities.
- To deliver delegated statutory social care duties under the Care Act, Safeguarding and other relevant legislation in a complex, multi-disciplinary environment.
- To access appropriate care and support packages for people with mental health needs, and/or their carers, adhering to local authority procedures.
- To practice as an Approved Mental Health professional (AMHP), or be willing to train and deliver duties and responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential
- oRegistered Social Worker educated to degree level or equivalent.
- oEvidence of post registration continuing professional development, qualifications, or equivalent experience
- oAt least two years post qualifying experience
Desirable
- Post qualifying module in practice Education/ enabling others (or equivalent)
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- oKnowledge of relevant legislation and policy, with the ability to apply this knowledge to practice.
- oAwareness of theories, models of intervention and research activity that underpin best practice in adult mental health social work.
- oSignificant social work experience in community mental health settings.
- oHighly skilled in mental health social work with individuals, groups and communities.
- oExcellent written and verbal communication skills.
Skills
Essential
- Leadership: the ability to act as a professional role model, demonstrate initiative, and engage others and enable them to achieve their goals
- Motivation: personal commitment to transforming the lives of people with mental illness, with an understanding of the positive impact of social work and the Think Ahead mission.
- Adaptability: resilience and flexibility in changing circumstances, with the ability to work under pressure and deal with uncertain or unexpected outcomes.
- Relationship building: empathy and respect for all individuals, with the ability to build relationships and understand people's motives and perspectives.
Working within Professional Boundaries
Essential
- Accepts responsibility and accountability for own work and can define the responsibilities of others
- Recognises the limits of own authority within the role.
- Seeks and uses professional support appropriately.
- Understands the principles of confidentiality and information sharing
Other
Essential
- Awareness of inclusion issues, particularly around disadvantaged groups.
- Full driving license and access to a car for business use
- Able to challenge poor practice and recognise good practice.
- Values diversity and equality.
- Flexibility in respect of working pattern
Person Specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential
- oRegistered Social Worker educated to degree level or equivalent.
- oEvidence of post registration continuing professional development, qualifications, or equivalent experience
- oAt least two years post qualifying experience
Desirable
- Post qualifying module in practice Education/ enabling others (or equivalent)
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- oKnowledge of relevant legislation and policy, with the ability to apply this knowledge to practice.
- oAwareness of theories, models of intervention and research activity that underpin best practice in adult mental health social work.
- oSignificant social work experience in community mental health settings.
- oHighly skilled in mental health social work with individuals, groups and communities.
- oExcellent written and verbal communication skills.
Skills
Essential
- Leadership: the ability to act as a professional role model, demonstrate initiative, and engage others and enable them to achieve their goals
- Motivation: personal commitment to transforming the lives of people with mental illness, with an understanding of the positive impact of social work and the Think Ahead mission.
- Adaptability: resilience and flexibility in changing circumstances, with the ability to work under pressure and deal with uncertain or unexpected outcomes.
- Relationship building: empathy and respect for all individuals, with the ability to build relationships and understand people's motives and perspectives.
Working within Professional Boundaries
Essential
- Accepts responsibility and accountability for own work and can define the responsibilities of others
- Recognises the limits of own authority within the role.
- Seeks and uses professional support appropriately.
- Understands the principles of confidentiality and information sharing
Other
Essential
- Awareness of inclusion issues, particularly around disadvantaged groups.
- Full driving license and access to a car for business use
- Able to challenge poor practice and recognise good practice.
- Values diversity and equality.
- Flexibility in respect of working pattern
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
