Social Worker

Job responsibilities

To uphold standards of practice for social workers as defined by the Health and Care Professions Council and in accordance with the Professional Capabilities Framework for Social Workers. Practitioners working in line with the Social Worker level of the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) are expected to practice effectively, exercising higher quality judgements, in situations of increasing complexity, risk, uncertainty and challenge. Through growing understanding, they expect and anticipate, but do not pre-judge, the issues that may develop. They have greater confidence and independence (whilst accessing support when needed), and use their initiative to broaden their repertoire of responses; they have expertise in one or more areas of practice, are familiar with local resource networks and are recognised by peers as a source of reliable knowledge and advice. Specific duties and responsibilities include:

To undertake person-centred social work with customers and to plan for the provision of support and/ or services with customers in order to assist them meet their outcomes and to live as independently as possible.

To ensure accurate and timely recording of all information and activity onto the social care records database in accordance with work targets set by the Team Manager and Supervisor. To support carers to continue in their role

To have a well-developed understanding of assessment, support planning and the management of risks for individuals and to be able to apply Council policy and support customers to manage risk appropriately. To identify where adults may be at risk and to act in accordance with safeguarding policies and procedures.

To gather sufficient information about customers in order to be able to accurately assess their needs against eligibility criteria. To ensure that local knowledge about universally available services is up to date including what is available within the voluntary and community sector, as well as the service areas commissioned and contracted services and to signpost/advocate for customers accordingly.

To ensure that Council corporate and service policies and procedures are followed at all times.

To ensure that support plan reviews are carried out in a timely and person-centred way, as required and identified by departmental targets. To ensure agreed outcomes have been met. To evidence need for continuing support at all times in accordance with eligibility criteria and to work with customers and care providers to identify promotion of increased independence.

To contribute proactively to the effective working of the team with positive attitude, by sharing knowledge, offering advice and support and by preparedness to be involved in the development of services.

To fully engage and prepare for own supervision and appraisal through self-evaluation, ensuring that continual professional development is evidenced.

To be an ambassador for the Council and the department at all times, always representing the Council positively, professionally and appropriately at meetings with customers, external partners and agencies.

Attending Civil Emergencies when a Rest Centre is set up (as required)

Flexible working There will be a requirement to occasionally work outside of standard hours, including weekends, to meet the needs of the service, for example assessing customers abilities at different times of the day or provide support to other members of the team. The number of out of hours worked will not exceed 10% of the total contracted hours per week.

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified Social Worker
• Social Work England registered
• Up-to-date knowledge and understanding of strengths-based social work with adults,
• including the safeguarding of adults.
• Knowledge and understanding of health & social care and other relevant legislation and wider
• policy context.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate with people in a
• variety of ways and levels.
• Ability to utilise a range of Microsoft and electronic social care record software
• A self-starter, well organised person who is passionate about delivery of high quality
• customer-centric services.
• Ability to work with others in a developmental way.
• Must be able to write clear, complex and accurate reports.
• Evidence of appropriate work experience and reflective learning from placement experience
• whilst qualifying as a Social Worker and of appropriate professional and personal
• development relevant to length of post-qualifying experience
• Fully fluent in spoken and written English

Desirable

• Post qualification experience within adult services

Experience

Essential

• Some relevant professional experience post qualification in a similar work environment.
• Expert knowledge of relevant policy, systems, work practices, professional guidelines, legislation in
• the area of specialism.
• Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems.
• Authoritative knowledge of the relevant range of procedural and legislative frameworks, systems
• and initiatives.
• Experience of multi-disciplinary and partnership working and awareness of the issues involved.
• Planning and workload management skills.
• Proven assessment and investigation skills appropriate to the scope of the role. Ability to carry out
• complex client assessments.
• Experience of using professional knowledge to work within referral systems according to
• established criteria.
• Proven ability to work with challenging client groups and situations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven ability to deliver training.
• Accurate record keeping and report writing.
• Good presentational skills.
• Knowledge of financial assessment processes.

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).