Social Worker - Level 1

We are looking for a Social Worker to join us. You will be part of the South East unplanned service (D2A) and will work closely with other Multi-Disciplinary team members including Social Workers, Social Care Assessors, Nurses, Therapists and the Home First team.

At MPFT we pride ourselves on staff wellbeing and development and can we offer you:

- Our SOOTHE resources - supporting staff across the trust with their physical, mental and financial health. In addition to the support offered from our occupational health provider Team Prevent.
- Counselling support and lifestyle information with advice on a variety of personal matters
- “In our Gift” providing a platform for your voice to be heard to inform change
- The opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
- Opportunities for flexible working (depending on the role)
- Career development opportunities and coaching plus access to in house training programs
- Innovative research training program entitled STARS (Supporting the advancement of Research Skills)
- Child Care Vouchers Scheme
- Recognition and engagement through our staff LOVE awards, LOVE long service awards and Staff Engagement Surveys
- NHS discounts available via the Blue Card and Red Guava schemes

Main duties of the job

You will be part of the South East unplanned service (D2A) and will work closely with other Multi-Disciplinary team members including Social Workers, Social Care Assessors, Nurses, Therapists and the Home First team.

The post holder will be responsible for supporting the delivery of the personalisation and social inclusion agenda, in line with the principles of the Care Act 2014. We are looking for an enthusiastic, proactive and innovative individual who possess excellent communication and organisational skills and has a good working knowledge of the Care Act. This is a dynamic post that requires the post holder to work closely with multi-disciplinary teams/agencies in addressing a range of care/support issues, enabling individuals to remain in their own home through the promotion of independence; preventing unnecessary hospital admissions and improving the health and wellbeing of the population served.

Working for our organisation

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) is an award winning organisation with over 9000 employees. We are one of the largest integrated Health and Social Care providers, covering services across North & South Staffordshire, Shropshire, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Isle of Wight and Essex.

Demonstrating our strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and in context of our objective aligned to the growth of diversity across the workforce; we are particularly seeking applications from individuals who may be from under-represented groups, such as black, Asian or other ethnic groups, individuals with a disability, or LGBTQ+ individuals who meet the specific criteria.

We are embedding values based and inclusive recruitment practices to ensure that all applicants, from any backgrounds, have an equal chance of success in achieving a role with us.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The successful candidate will have a flexible approach and be a team player who is able to forge excellent working relationships with multi-disciplinary teams and partner agencies. The applicant will work within a range of relevant principles including Recovery and Personalisation; empowering individuals to take control through personalised, strengths and asset based models of assessment and intervention and putting them at the centre of everything we do, recognising the rights of all individuals to gain access to valued roles, relationships, activities and facilities within their local community.

The post holder will need to be a registered Social Worker and will have responsibility for completing statutory assessments under the Care Act 2014 to facilitate safe and timely discharge from D2A pathways within the community and the hospital setting. The role will involve assessing; accessing; and implementing a range of social care services, and providing guidance/advice and information for adults with acute or long term physical health, mental health needs and for older people and carers.

The post holder will be expected to work 08:30 – 17:00 and have a full driving licence and access to a car. There is options for flexible working hours and this can be discussed.
Person specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria

- Professional Social Work qualification, DipSW, CQSW, CSS, BA, MA or Foreign qualification where certified by the Professional Social Work regulatory body
- Ensuring current registration with the Professional Social Work regulatory body at all times
- A commitment to on-going personal and professional development
- To undergo appropriate training to achieve Assessed Year in Practice (ASYE)
- Good keyboard / IT skills including word processing, spreadsheets, email and PowerPoint
- A clear understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice

Experience
Essential criteria

- Experience of working with Adults and older Adults with mental health needs and their carers

Desirable criteria

- Experience of social work in other user groups/settings i.e. Children and Families, Learning Disability, Mental Health