Job summary
Are you in the care sector and looking to progress? Or looking for your first step into social care?
We are recruiting a Social Care Assistant to join the Bucks Social Care team. Social Work Assistants will carry out a range of social care tasks including assessment of need and review of existing packages of care for service users and carers under the Care Act.
This is a post which has arisen out of the revised s75 agreement between Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Buckinghamshire Council which was implemented in September 2022.
You will arrange for care packages to be set up or amended in line with Care Act and s117 (MHA) eligibility criteria. Training and support to develop your existing knowledge and skills is available. You will be working in a team that is responsible for working with clients' to help prevent them requiring secondary mental health support.
You will be working across Buckinghamshire county with a dedicated team of social workers and Assistant social workers. Your line management and direct support sits within the dedicated social care structure.
The post-holder will be required to visit people in their own homes and in placements across Buckinghamshire and input directly in the Council's electronic information system, LAS. There is an expectation for the post-holder to train to carry out the Appropriate Adult function under the Police & Criminal Evidence Act and act in this capacity on a rota basis.
Main duties of the job
- Undertake Care Act assessments for adults and their carers who are ordinarily resident in Buckinghamshire and appear to be in need of care and support.
- Using a strengths-based approach you will help adults and their families make best use of community resources to support them to live as independently as possible.
- Arrange for commissioned services to be put in place where necessary, in line with eligibility and Council policy.
- Review existing packages of care in line with the Care Act and s117 MHA.
- You will develop a good understanding of the Council's charging and top-up and choice policies and give information and advice to adults and their families when assessing and arranging care and support.
- Work jointly with Social Worker and health colleagues to deliver a supportive and empowering service to adults and their families.
Applicants must have a full valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work. Adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 where required.
About us
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.
Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible
Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"
Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"
At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
- Excellent opportunities for career progression
- Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
- 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
- NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
- Competitive pension scheme
- Lease car scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Mental Health First Aiders
- Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
- Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Job description
Job responsibilities
The s75 consultation has created a structure for delivering social care within Oxford Health in Buckinghamshire and streamlined the management and reporting processes. Social care staff remain co-located and work in dedicated CMHT teams, while benefitting from supervision and line-management within the social care framework.
Social Work Assistants are a role within this structure and bring opportunities for workers to extend and develop their skills and knowledge. There are opportunities for career progression into Buckinghamshire Council's Apprenticeship programme to become a qualified Social Worker. Training and development opportunities are available from both Oxford Health and Buckinghamshire Council which provide a wide range of options for learning and development.
To assess and review the needs of clients referred to or already within the service. To develop high quality assessment, reviews and plans which focus on both which focus on both independence for and outcomes desired by the individual. To work in partnership with other professionals and organisations.
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The s75 consultation has created a structure for delivering social care within Oxford Health in Buckinghamshire and streamlined the management and reporting processes. Social care staff remain co-located and work in dedicated CMHT teams, while benefitting from supervision and line-management within the social care framework.
Social Work Assistants are a role within this structure and bring opportunities for workers to extend and develop their skills and knowledge. There are opportunities for career progression into Buckinghamshire Council's Apprenticeship programme to become a qualified Social Worker. Training and development opportunities are available from both Oxford Health and Buckinghamshire Council which provide a wide range of options for learning and development.
To assess and review the needs of clients referred to or already within the service. To develop high quality assessment, reviews and plans which focus on both which focus on both independence for and outcomes desired by the individual. To work in partnership with other professionals and organisations.
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.
Person Specification
Question 1
Essential
- Tell me what steps you would take to do a statutory assessment?
Question 2
Essential
- Do you hold a full valid UK driving license and have access to a vehicle for work? Adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 where required.
Question 3
Essential
- You're presented with a client who has complex needs. What first steps would you take in providing them with care and who would you involve?
Question 4
Essential
- Can you tell me about a time you've had to use your initiative to support the care needs of a client?
Question 5
Essential
- Briefly share an example from your life where you have influenced a community you felt part of in a way that has positively impacted upon the wellbeing of those it includes.
Person Specification
Question 1
Essential
- Tell me what steps you would take to do a statutory assessment?
Question 2
Essential
- Do you hold a full valid UK driving license and have access to a vehicle for work? Adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 where required.
Question 3
Essential
- You're presented with a client who has complex needs. What first steps would you take in providing them with care and who would you involve?
Question 4
Essential
- Can you tell me about a time you've had to use your initiative to support the care needs of a client?
Question 5
Essential
- Briefly share an example from your life where you have influenced a community you felt part of in a way that has positively impacted upon the wellbeing of those it includes.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
