Senior Social Work Practitioner

Job responsibilities

Core Clinical Support

• Assess, manage, care plan, support and review care needs in line with policy, procedures and legislation, including the provision of aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act.
• Use strength based approaches to support service users, focusing on them achieving positive outcomes to enhance their wellbeing, look at prevention and increasing their independence in line with the Care Act (2014).
• Provide a clear picture of how a persons independence is being promoted. 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).
• Undertake risk assessments and develop risk management plans. Able to support positive risk taking.
• To ensure that service users open to the team are provided with robust social care assessments by all care co-ordinators and that Care Act assessments are carried out where an eligible assessed need is identified and personal budget plans are put in place.
• Act as a lead for the team in areas of social care for example supporting with Care Act assessments and related social care funding processes, knowledge around the MHA, MCA, Safeguarding and develop knowledge and skills locally.
• You will support adults that need to be safeguarded in line with the Care Act (2014), manage risk and meet eligible need.

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• Possession of recognised Social Work Qualification - Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent
• Registration with HCPC Approved Mental Health Professional.

Desirable

• Studying or willingness to study towards full Post Qualification Award in Social Work

Knowledge

Essential

• Multi-disciplinary Social Care experience within multi-disciplinary team - relevant to people with mental health difficulties.
• Evidence of partnership working with other agencies including Social Care Services, Health Services, Voluntary Agencies and/or Education
• Experience of undertaking assessments and other duties in accordance with the Mental Health Act 1983 and Amendments 2007 and the Mental Capacity Act.
• Knowledge and understanding of Social Care practice as defined by HCPC and appropriate legislation and guidance.
• IT skills to enable effective input and retrieval of data and information.
• Understanding of the Mental Health Act 1983 and Amendment 2007 and Equality Act 2010 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Human Rights Act 1998

Desirable

• A variety of experiences working with people with mental health difficulties.
• Practice teaching experience
• Understanding of social care resources and provision available beyond statutory agencies
• Awareness of government guidance and legislative changes across broad range of NHS and Social Care issues

Skills / Experience

Essential

• Literate in IT/Computer Skills
• Good oral communication skills based on fluency on the English language
• Demonstrates a commitment to highest professional and ethical values.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide and receive highly complex, highly sensitive or highly contentious information.
• Demonstrate well developed motivational, negotiation, training and empathetic skills as required.
• Makes ongoing assessments of frequently complex client needs and associated risks and demonstrates knowledge and understanding of wide range of resource options within budgetary framework/ constraints.
• Negotiates and implements effective plans for support, enablement, prevention, protection and monitoring, within department/government targets Offers practical suggestions and advice on long term implications of alternative courses of action in relation to quality of service provision.
• Supports development of self and colleagues through regular reflection on effectiveness of approach and the acquisition, dissemination and application of new knowledge and skills.
• Able to offer coaching and support to students and/or unqualified staff and supervise as required
• Communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work in a multi-agency environment with an understanding of the differing responsibilities of statutory and non statutory organizations.
• Leadership and influencing skills with the ability to lead and motivate others.
• Flexible, positive and empathetic approach.
• Develops and sustains professional working relationships with clients, carers, colleagues and external agencies based on mutual trust, respect for individual rights and cultural needs, and the promotion of equality and diversity.
• Able to communicate effectively and sensitively with people using appropriate methods of interaction and respecting confidentiality at all times.
• Produces clear, accurate and concise oral and written assessments, records and reports to facilitate decision making within multi-disciplinary teams.
• Selects appropriate medium and format for communication internally and to meet the needs of service users.
• Co-ordinates and chairs meetings as appropriate

Desirable

• Well-developed IT skills and the ability to interrogate and evaluate management information in both written and computerised format

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Shares the Trust's Beliefs and models this in their attitude and behaviour:
• Ensures that the organisational values of open, compassionate and empowering are demonstrated by self and others every day and that any matters of concern are addressed in a timely way, either directly; or raised with the relevant Line Manager; or through the relevant processes within the Trust as appropriate.
• Ability to work on own initiative and under pressure.
• Responds calmly to unexpected and challenging problems, seeking solutions, modifying plans and arranging the provision of additional services and/or resources where appropriate.
• Deals effectively with conflict - involving others when necessary
• Deals effectively with complex interfamilial and interagency problems and develops solutions
• Takes responsibility for own work and demonstrates willingness to learn from others and from experience
• Resilience in dealing with emotive service user issues
• Manage own emotions whilst preparing service user reports on a daily basis.
• Able to identify own stressors and take appropriate action to prevent negative impact of this on wellbeing and seek appropriate and timely support.
• Able to effectively manage their own emotions in response to the emotional distress of others.
• Demonstrates empathy, sensitivity, self awareness and acceptance of others
• Able to prioritise workload, work with competing deadlines and organise time effectively.
• Ability to network with a variety of teams, user and carer groups, and professional agencies

Desirable

• Experience of identifying, developing and managing services through a period of operational change. Planning and implementing programmes which impact across departments, services or agencies
• Proven ability to problem solve and to achieve change whilst at the same time, balancing competing demands
• Good analytical skills, open and creative thinking and effective problem solving in relation to service clinical and staffing issues.
• Willing to assist colleagues to ensure effective service delivery throughout the Trust
• Creative thinker Self-reliant and resilient - able to respond positively to difficult situations
• Willingness to embrace organisational change
• Experience of delivering training

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Fitness Analysis as appropriate
• Ability to travel across sites and across Trust boundaries to attend meetings, etc.

Desirable

• Current UK driving licence

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).