Social Worker

As a Social Worker, you will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team, providing high quality social care services to adults of all ages experiencing mental ill-health. The core functions of the role will be to provide assessment, care planning and coordination of care from a social perspective to adults accessing the service. You will deliver recovery-focused care and support to service users and their carers that is focused on the principles of choice, control, and independence, as well as ensuring safety. You will act as a champion of social care and safeguarding in your locality.

Main duties of the job

You will actively address adversity and will support adults at risk of social inclusion and assist adults accessing support to deal with a range of adverse circumstances. You will actively champion equality and diversity and be expected to challenge discrimination in all its forms as part of your role.

You will hold a caseload which may comprise of adults experiencing a wide range of mental health and social care needs. You will ensure that you maintain constant reflection and development of your practice and will ensure your continuing professional development in line with the standards set out by the professional regulator, Social Work England.

If you are not already an AMHP, you will be prepared to undertake the training required to undertake the AMHP role as your career progresses. If you are already an AMHP, you will contribute to the Trust's countywide AMHP rota.

You will be expected to work in partnership with service users and carers, so that they can feel empowered, and services can be improved as a result of feedback of their experiences.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Job description

Job responsibilities

01) To be a champion of social care with a comprehensive understanding of legislation and statutory guidance.
02) To take a lead in the promotion of adult safeguarding practice and undertake safeguarding enquires and contribute to the provision of care plans that protect both adults and children from abuse.
03) To undertake comprehensive assessments and reviews, for people who may present with a high risk, or those with significant interpersonal, social, legal and/or environmental complexities, ensuring people are assessed appropriately against social care eligibility criteria as defined by The Care Act 2014.
04) To offer direct support to service users and their carers, and to colleagues, through information and advice, to ensure that those who do not meet social care eligibility are appropriately signposted and supported.
05) To ensure that appropriate health and social care services are commissioned with and on behalf of service users, including the duty to offer direct payments, and that processes are in place for service users to be charged by the local authority for the social care services they receive, if applicable.
06) To ensure that commissioned services allow choice to service users and carers and focus on people living in the community with appropriate support and access to universal services.
07) To undertake regular risk assessments and ensure that vulnerable people are kept safe.

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

Essential
-An appropriate professional Social Work qualification.
-Education to Degree level.
-Registration with Social Work England.
-Training in principles and application of outcomes, focussed assessments and personalisation.
-Relevant post-qualifying training for Social Workers.
-Training and experience in Safeguarding.

Desirable
-Approved Mental Health Professional / Best Interests Assessment Training.

AREAS OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential
-Post qualification experience.
-Knowledge of legislation, theory and policy in relation to relevant care group.
-Experience of undertaking assessments, focussed as personalisation, choice and control and care planning.
-Understanding and experience of Personal Budgets and Direct Payments.
-Experience of multi-disciplinary working and ability to work collaboratively.
-Experience of partnership working with Service Users and Carers; demonstrating dignity and respect.

Desirable
-Experience of work and an Approved Mental Health Professional and/or Best Interests Assessor.