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Senior Social Worker

Employer
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Location
Colchester
Salary
£43,742 to £50,056 per annum
Closing date
13 Aug 2024
View moreView less
Profession
Other Health Profession
Grade
Band 7
Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Essex County Council (ECC) and Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) in collaboration are pleased to introduce a New Senior Social Worker position which supports Community Mental Health Transformation in North East Essex.

This post is a new role developed to strengthen the prevention and early intervention offer to those who do not meet the thresholds for the specialist community mental health teams. The post is situated in the Single Point of Access Team which is a multidisciplinary team through which all referrals for mental health support in the community are received for North East Essex. The post focuses on providing an enhanced social care offer within Mental health services, enabling the ability to intervene as early as possible.

The post sits within the Section 75 Partnership Agreement between ECC and EPUT and the postholder will be employed on an EPUT contract of employment.

The post covers all of NE Essex (Colchester and Tendring) and is based at Severalls House, Colchester providing a service Monday-Friday 9-5pm. A hybrid way of working to ensure flexibility for the service is supported.

Main duties of the job

The focus has moved from long-term care and support, to a model with four key principles: - Prevention Early Intervention Enablement and Safeguarding. This will enable people, their families, and carers to access information and tools, live healthily and independently.

Senior social workers are passionate in demonstrating expert and effective practice leadership in complex situations. Managing a caseload and supporting colleagues with complex cases, with an ability to mitigate high levels of risk. They also lead in working collaboratively with statutory and non-statutory/voluntary agencies, ensuring a joined-up approach.

Significant experience of social work, modelling good practice and providing expert advice and guidance is essential in this role.

We are looking for someone committed to person centred work with individuals and families focusing on their strengths, interests and assets in accordance with the Care Act (2014). As part of a multidisciplinary team you will lead on the understanding and knowledge of the role of social work within mental health and the importance of the social determinants of health and how they impact people's lives.

. You will take a lead on Social Work practice within the team and will be expected to provide supervision to Social Workers.

You will ensure that the service is Care Act compliant, and people are bridged to the most appropriate service for them to meet their needs as early as possible.

About us

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including
  • Season Ticket Loans
  • NHS discounts for staff
  • Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
  • Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
  • The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
  • Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
  • Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Referrals are assessed and triaged to the specialist teams if they meet thresholds or to the Primary care mental health services or the appropriate voluntary sector service. This post will provide proportionate Care Act screening, and for individuals who do not meet the thresholds for specialist services. the postholder will carry out Care Act assessments, and where required support planning.
  • To provide leadership to the multi professional team, focusing on ensuring Care Act compliance when screening referrals.
  • Provide a consultation role to other professionals within Adult Social Care and Children and Families social care within your area.
  • Supporting the lead on development of the team leading training and organising regular training/ development opportunities for staff. Also ensuring staff complete an induction and mandatory training.
  • Support other primary care services such as the Primary Care Mental Health Teams with development of social care knowledge.
  • Screen referrals and support staff with more complex referrals.
  • You will use digital and technology solutions where they will meet the need and offer a more sustainable approach.
  • Taking a lead on complex cases and liaising with appropriate networks and professionals, ensuring collaborative relationship building with statutory and non-statutory organisations.
  • Leading the team within Multi-Disciplinary Meetings as required.
  • Support with maintaining staffing rotas for the service and managing this on a day to day basis as required.
  • Maintaining the responsibility of supervising Social Work staff and support the organisation of the supervising of other professional staff within the service.
  • Taking a lead role on safeguarding and S42 (Care Act 2014) concerns, ensuring these are raised appropriately.
  • Taking a lead role in Safeguarding children and the policies and procedures in place to protect them from harm including Working together to safeguard children 2023.
  • Provide a clear picture of how a persons independence can be promoted and maximised. Promote conversations to draw on the support around each person, their networks, local community and personal resources and support with delivering statutory responsibilities under the Care Act (2014).
  • Establish therapeutic relationships with service users, their families and carers. Supporting them to utilise self-help options and bridging them to appropriate services.
  • Linking in with local communities and services to understand the demographic in which you are working.
  • Undertake risk assessments and develop risk management plans. Ability to support positive risk taking.
  • Ability to work in accordance with the relevant legislation, (including the Mental Health Act 1983, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards 2009 and related Codes, the Human Rights Act 1998, Equality Act 2010 and local policy.
  • You will be able to demonstrate specialist knowledge underpinned by theory and relevant practical experience in order to understand service users with complex needs, their families and carers.
  • You will be able to work autonomously within agreed policies and regulations.
  • To understand and utilise Health and Social Care commissioned services, demonstrating an understanding of eligibility criteria for social care services, and working in collaboration with nursing and other health care professions in a recovery focused way.
  • Lead on the understanding of the statutory responsibility for the assessment of carers (including young carers) needs and ensure advice and information is provided.
  • Prepare and present clear assessments and other reports as necessary to set out the basis of decisions made. Maintain all records to a high standard in accordance with relevant legislation, policy and procedures. Provide information, written assessments, reports and statements to support other service professionals, managers and agencies in making decisions related to care.
  • Be able to work flexibly across areas and teams as required by the service.
  • Be proficient with IT and be able to use Trust systems to accurately record in line with Trust policy/Use I.T. systems relating to client information, complying with practice requirements, legislation and local policy relating to data protection.
  • Complete mandatory training as desired by the trust.
  • Actively practice as an AMHP, undertaking Mental Health Act (MHA) assessments or agree to undertake training as an AMHP within a reasonable time.
  • Participate in Post Qualifying training and regular professional development programmes.
  • To take full personal responsibility for meeting all Professional registration requirements with Social Work England
  • Collate data in relation to social care and outcomes of the new model.
  • Gain support and expertise from the Consultant Social Work Practitioner within the North East Essex area and be professionally supervised by them
  • In delivering your duties you are expected to display behaviours that are aligned with the Trust values and as required in accordance with the NHS Constitution at all times.


Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised qualification in Social Work at certificate or Diploma level e.g DipSW, CQSW or CSS and Current HCPC registration


Desirable

  • Masters Degree (MSW) or Post Graduate (PGDipSW)
  • Best Interest Assessor Qualification or willingness to undertake training.
  • Practice Educator Award or willingness to undertake training
  • Approved Mental Health Professional Qualification


Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of two years post qualifying experience as a Social Worker in a health/social care setting
  • Experience of undertaking assessments and other duties in accordance with the Mental Health Act 1983 and Amendments 2007 and the Mental Capacity Act.
  • Experience of working with clients within community or primary care mental health services


Desirable

  • Practice teaching experience
  • Line management / supervisory experience


Knowledge

Essential

  • Good working knowledge of legislative guidance and policy frameworks including but not limited to: Care Act 2014, Mental Health Act 1983/2007, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Interagency Adult Safeguarding policies, and procedures Knowledge and application of professional standards, codes of conduct and HCPC standards of proficiency.


Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Severalls House

Colchester

CO4 5HG

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

364-A-8060

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