Social Worker / Senior Social Worker

Job summary

The Mental Health Unit are opening up an exciting new post for a qualified social worker to be placed within the Duty Team.The post is open to senior social workers or social workers wanting to develop their career.

The Mental Health Unit provides statutory social work services across the city to adults over 18 accessing secondary mental health services.The team supports three area mental health social work teams and the community forensic social work team.The MHU duty team comprises the roles of duty and advice with undertaking short-term pieces of prevention work, dealing with urgent need and managing situations where intervention is required in the absence of the allocated social worker.Visits and assessments in the community and on psychiatric wards will be part of the role.

Main duties of the job

To support you in the role you will have excellent understanding and working knowledge of relevant legislation and experience of implementing statutory responsibilities, including undertaking and overseeing safeguarding enquiries and on behalf of the local authority.You will be involved in screening referrals to the unit, information gathering, decision making and signposting to appropriate services.The role will be varied, responding to unforeseen and sometimes challenging situations and necessitating flexibility and adaptability.You will work within a small team and be confident in liaising with other statutory, independent and third sector organisations.

Duty workers are the first point of contact for users of the service, carers and professionals; therefore, you will have excellent communication skills, an enquiring approach and demonstrate professional curiosity and strong problem-solving skills.The post is office based at Tribeca House enabling collaborative working alongside colleagues, with regular supervision by the Duty Coordinator.As the duty team is expanding and developing, you will be involved in shaping how the team adapts to best support the work of the MHU as a whole.

The Mental Health Unit upholds the values of Leeds City Council to work alongside individuals in a way which is person-centred and values uniqueness, potential and strengths.

About us

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Adults barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.