Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Mental Health Social Worker OPMH

The closing date is 29 September 2025

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for a dynamic, enthusiastic and driven individual.

If you are a qualified AMHP this attracts an enhancement of 12% on your salary for a commitment to the AMHP duty rota , minimum of 2 duty's per month

As a Social Worker in the Older Persons Mental Health Team

  • To be a core member of a multi-disciplinary Mental Health team and contribute to the effective provision of mental health services to working age adults in the area of Torbay.
  • To undertake holistic social care assessments, in partnership with service users, families and carers, prepare care plans, commission services to ensure the most beneficial and cost-effective care packages are established, delivered, monitored and reviewed, and comply with all statutory requirements for Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust/Devon Partnership Trust standards, policies and guidelines.
  • To have clear responsibilities for the safeguarding of adults and children and for operating in a manner consistent with Human Rights legislation
  • To be compliant with and practice utilising social care legislation including Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005
  • To be able to make a positive difference in people's lives, by working in partnership with service users, their carers and families

Main duties of the job

  • The post holder will work within the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust's Excellence Model of Social Work and to promote its practice and values and to support the development of the highest quality social work , working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
  • Be skilled in initial assessment and risk management of client's presenting to the service, having an understanding of basic human needs, emotional social and physical
  • An understanding of the Mental Health Act/ Mental Capacity Act requirements.
  • Sound understanding of Care Act 2014 and related code of practice
  • Understanding of recovery principles in Mental Health and strength based approach

Act with professionalism and integrity, being a role model to those around us and ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity.

About us

About your new team and department

The Over 65MH Social Care teams aims to ensure robust assessment, support and review of clients open to secondary mental health services who require social care input.

The team work to maximise the independence of all clients through providing personalised and proportionate assessment of their social care needs.

Working closely with the local CMHT's and community voluntary sector the team aim to provide a strength based approach to all their work.

Details

Date posted

15 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata ( if Amhp plus 12% for min of 2 duty's per month)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

388-7409925-FC&I

Job locations

Chadwell

Torquay Road

Torquay

TQ3 2DW


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Informed verbal and written consent should be obtained from service users and patients for all assessments care plans and interventions.
  • Communications may include dealing with those people who have difficulties relating to highly complex, contentious emotional, psychological conditions associated with their presenting conditions. People may have difficulties in communicating or understanding their condition. Communication may involve skills in managing anger, motivating, negotiating, counselling, training, empathising and reassuring

To plan and prioritise own work and caseload.

To draw up detailed care plans in partnership with service users, patients and carers

To take part in referral allocation meetings, or self-allocate new work, depending upon team practice.

  • Physical ability to carry out duties in the community with appropriate adaptations/adjustments
  • Ability to travel efficiently around the Torbay and surrounding area in order to carry out duties
  • To ensure people who use our services, needs are assessed holistically, taking into account their needs, such as housing, employment, education and general health within the individual care plan.
  • To promote service users. carers and families participation in the co-design of appropriate support plans based on measurable outcomes within agreed policies and budgetary provision. This will include ensuring transparency of action plans with service users in relation to any changes or withdrawal of services as necessary
  • To complete Care Act assessments and care plans records in line with service policies and procedures , working in a strengths based and outcome focussed approach.
  • To work as part of an integrated health and social care mental health team exchanging professional knowledge, experience and providing mutual support
  • Third sector organisations, identifying suitable resources providers to arrange for the delivery of appropriate support plans within available resources. To identify and feed back to the Social Care lead any service provision deficiencies.
  • commission and review care packages and services to meet service users needs in line with their assessed social care needs and within budgetary constraints
  • To actively participate in regular supervision with line manager
  • To identify development needs with your line manager and to attend training courses, develop knowledge as appropriate
  • To maintain accurate, factual and up to date records of work completed as directed by line manager
  • To complete Social care panel paperwork as and when required
  • Embrace challenges as an opportunity to learn constructively about ways of improving our services
  • Help to develop and foster a learning environment where feedback is welcomed and valued
  • Act with professionalism and integrity, being a role model to those around us and ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity.
  • To provide a service that is tailored to meet the needs of the individual and to understand what our patients/clients need and be adaptable and responsive

A

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Informed verbal and written consent should be obtained from service users and patients for all assessments care plans and interventions.
  • Communications may include dealing with those people who have difficulties relating to highly complex, contentious emotional, psychological conditions associated with their presenting conditions. People may have difficulties in communicating or understanding their condition. Communication may involve skills in managing anger, motivating, negotiating, counselling, training, empathising and reassuring

To plan and prioritise own work and caseload.

To draw up detailed care plans in partnership with service users, patients and carers

To take part in referral allocation meetings, or self-allocate new work, depending upon team practice.

  • Physical ability to carry out duties in the community with appropriate adaptations/adjustments
  • Ability to travel efficiently around the Torbay and surrounding area in order to carry out duties
  • To ensure people who use our services, needs are assessed holistically, taking into account their needs, such as housing, employment, education and general health within the individual care plan.
  • To promote service users. carers and families participation in the co-design of appropriate support plans based on measurable outcomes within agreed policies and budgetary provision. This will include ensuring transparency of action plans with service users in relation to any changes or withdrawal of services as necessary
  • To complete Care Act assessments and care plans records in line with service policies and procedures , working in a strengths based and outcome focussed approach.
  • To work as part of an integrated health and social care mental health team exchanging professional knowledge, experience and providing mutual support
  • Third sector organisations, identifying suitable resources providers to arrange for the delivery of appropriate support plans within available resources. To identify and feed back to the Social Care lead any service provision deficiencies.
  • commission and review care packages and services to meet service users needs in line with their assessed social care needs and within budgetary constraints
  • To actively participate in regular supervision with line manager
  • To identify development needs with your line manager and to attend training courses, develop knowledge as appropriate
  • To maintain accurate, factual and up to date records of work completed as directed by line manager
  • To complete Social care panel paperwork as and when required
  • Embrace challenges as an opportunity to learn constructively about ways of improving our services
  • Help to develop and foster a learning environment where feedback is welcomed and valued
  • Act with professionalism and integrity, being a role model to those around us and ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity.
  • To provide a service that is tailored to meet the needs of the individual and to understand what our patients/clients need and be adaptable and responsive

A

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered with Social Work England or HCPC
  • Training in the protection of vulnerable adults

Desirable

  • Post-qualifying experience
  • AMHP/BIA qualification

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • An understanding of the Mental Health Act/ Mental Capacity Act requirements
  • Sound understanding of Care Act 2014 and related code of practice
  • Understanding of recovery principles in Mental Health and strength based approach
  • Skills in initial assessment and risk management of client's presenting to the service
  • Effective recording skills
  • Ability to work holistically with a variety of service users with lived experience of complex care needs
  • Commitment to anti-discriminatory practices and compliance with the Equal Opportunities Policy
  • Ability to work to meet conflicting deadlines
  • Time management skills/prioritizing

Desirable

  • Supervision skills
  • IT skills

Specific skills

Essential

  • Experience or understanding of working within mental health service provision
  • Understanding of mental health conditions and how mental health issues can impact on individuals, their families and carers

Desirable

  • Experience of working within mental health services
  • Experience in working within a multidisciplinary team
  • Experience of working with people with dual diagnosis
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered with Social Work England or HCPC
  • Training in the protection of vulnerable adults

Desirable

  • Post-qualifying experience
  • AMHP/BIA qualification

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • An understanding of the Mental Health Act/ Mental Capacity Act requirements
  • Sound understanding of Care Act 2014 and related code of practice
  • Understanding of recovery principles in Mental Health and strength based approach
  • Skills in initial assessment and risk management of client's presenting to the service
  • Effective recording skills
  • Ability to work holistically with a variety of service users with lived experience of complex care needs
  • Commitment to anti-discriminatory practices and compliance with the Equal Opportunities Policy
  • Ability to work to meet conflicting deadlines
  • Time management skills/prioritizing

Desirable

  • Supervision skills
  • IT skills

Specific skills

Essential

  • Experience or understanding of working within mental health service provision
  • Understanding of mental health conditions and how mental health issues can impact on individuals, their families and carers

Desirable

  • Experience of working within mental health services
  • Experience in working within a multidisciplinary team
  • Experience of working with people with dual diagnosis

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).

Additional information

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chadwell

Torquay Road

Torquay

TQ3 2DW


Employer's website

https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chadwell

Torquay Road

Torquay

TQ3 2DW


Employer's website

https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

CSM

Andrea Collings

andrea.collings1@nhs.net

07821581464

Details

Date posted

15 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata ( if Amhp plus 12% for min of 2 duty's per month)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

388-7409925-FC&I

Job locations

Chadwell

Torquay Road

Torquay

TQ3 2DW


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)