Borough Lead Social Worker Adult Community

Job summary

Borough Lead Social Worker Adult Community Mental Health Services The post holder will provide strategic and professional leadership for Adult Social Care within an integrated mental health service. They will ensure the quality and lawful delivery of statutory duties under the Care Act 2014 and related legislation, lead safeguarding practice, and oversee complex legal and court-related work. The role will strengthen partnership working across the wider system, support the delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan for Community Mental Health Services, and champion the professional identity, development, and impact of social work. As a lead social worker, the post holder will contribute to directorate-wide quality improvement, assurance, and best practice, while providing expert guidance and support to managers and practitioners.

Main duties of the job

For further details please refer to the attached job description and person specification for main duties of the job

About us

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for details of job description and responsibilities.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

Essential
oProfessional Qualification in Social Work (CQSW, Diploma or 1st Degree)
oEvidence of recent practice at a senior practitioner/team manager or equivalent level, supported by 5 years sound front line exposure to a wide ranging field of practice
oCommunity Work
oEvidence of ability to provide specialist advice on social care and social work issues to senior management and to stakeholders
oEvidence of initiating and managing change
oEvidence of risk assessment and management
oKnowledge of commissioning services
oUnderstanding of social systems and social development
oEvidence of supervising and developing staff
oAbility to compile meaningful reports from complex data
oAbility to undertake regular service evaluations or research activity in order to inform service and practice developments
oKnowledge of the Care Act, 2014 and other statutory frameworks
oKnowledge on Mental Health Act and associated legislation
oInter-personal and cross-professional communication
oCapacity to function effectively as a leader demonstrating ability to motivate people and to manage change.
oPolitically aware and sensitive
oSkills in prioritising work to meet multiple and simultaneous deadlines.
oClear written and verbal communication skills

Desirable
oPost Graduate Qualification at Masters Level Social Work, or an agreement to work towards such
oPracticing Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)
oProject management qualification
oEvidence of developing and managing project or service delivery
oMust have the ability to analyse management information in line with the requirements of Performance Management to demonstrate the effectiveness if service delivery and to improve service delivery
oKnowledge and experience in community development methods

Personal Skills

Essential
oLead, Shape and Influence for the purposes of improved experience for service users and their carers.
oExperience which would contribute to successfully managing change.
oAn open and supportive leadership style
oFlexible approach.
oSolution focused
oA willingness to challenge accepted norms to improve ways of working.
oCommitment to high quality, best value services.
oEffective communicator
oLateral thinker
oAble to create and maintain partnerships
oCalm and focussed approach

Experience

Essential
oExperience of multi-agency working.
oExperience of working within Mental Health Services or ability to demonstrate transferable skills and experience
oExperience of service user and carer involvement
oExperience of taking leadership in a team/ service
oExperience of practicing independent

Desirable
oExperience of project work
oEvidence of experience working with providers and commissioners
oExperience of leading and implementing change in an operational or service delivery context.
oExperience in developing and implementing strategy and policy

Competencies

Essential
oCustomer/Client Relationships; focuses on customer satisfaction and delivers a quality service to the agreed standards.
oInterpersonal Skills; Works effectively with individuals, teams, clients, and staff. Supporting others and showing clear personal values in line with those of the organisation.
oAdapting and Coping; Adapts and responds well to change. Manages pressure effectively and copes well with set backs.
oAnalysing, Interpreting and judging; Thinks analytically, ability to solve complex problems and issues, makes rational, realistic and sound judgements
oPlanning & performing; Plans ahead and works in a systematic and organised way. Follows direction and procedure's

Additional Information for example physical skills or working environment

Essential
oMust be able to visit locations within the Borough easily and travel outside the borough using public transport
oValid driving licence and car available for business use