Devon County Council

Mental Health Social Worker

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We have an exciting role available in the North & Mid Devon Social Care Team, with a focus on community work or hospital discharge. The Hospital Discharge role will be based in Barnstaple and the Community Work focused role will be based in Bideford, with an expectation you may need to cover the whole of the North and Mid Devon catchment area.The successful candidate will be placed in an experienced social care team with a stable workforce who make a real difference to the lives of individuals with mental health conditions.Please state your preference for either Community Work or Hospital Discharge within your personal statement

We have fully implemented an exciting transformation programme in the way that Social Care is delivered within Devon Partnership Trust.

There are now more Assigned Social Workers in Devon Partnership Trust than ever before delivering the statutory functions of the Local Authority.

We are looking for enthusiastic Social Work professionals across Devon who can evidence a commitment to strengths-based practice, a real pride in their profession and passion for delivering a social care pathway to individuals accessing secondary mental health services.

Main duties of the job

Duties

  • Delivering a social care pathway in line with the requirements of the Care Act 2014;
  • A strong focus on offering a personalised and person-centred approach to assessment, support planning, safeguarding and review;
  • Strong, effective communication skills as you will be working in partnership with other statutory and voluntary sector organisations;
  • Commitment to involving service users and carers in the delivery of a high quality and equitable service

.

About you

An experienced and qualified Social Worker (CQSW, DipSW, BA Hons, MA or equivalent) who is registered to practice with Social Work England (previously HCPC).

You will have completed the Assessed First Year in (post-qualifying) Social Work practice, if appropriate, and can demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development as we are committed to supporting you to look at post-qualifying opportunities during your career with us.

Bringing a comprehensive working knowledge of the issues currently impacting on social care delivery, you will be up-to-date with policy and practice development.

The roles require travelling significant distances, sometimes in urgent situations and without prior notice, in a rural environment where public transport may not be available.

You will need to hold a current full driving licence and have access to a vehicle.

About us

Social Worker Career Pathway

We have implemented the first phase of a new Social Worker Career Pathway within our Adults Services, with our vacancies available at the Social Worker (Grade F) or Experienced Social Worker (Grade G) levels. Our Social Worker and Experienced Social Worker roles align with the nationalProfessional Capability Framework (PCF) for Social Workers, which provides a robust structure for all local authorities to use as a way of standardising professional capabilities and provides a clear career pathway.

What we can offer you

  • We are committed to your continuous professional development.You will receive excellent support and supervision, with regular opportunities to discuss and reflect on your practice, both with your line manager and peers.
  • We offer26 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, rising incrementally to 31 days after 5 years service.
  • Flexible working opportunities are available, these include part-time hours, flexitime, compressed working hours and homeworking (this is subject to the needs of the role please discuss at further at interview)
  • Offer an opportunity to enter agenerous Local Government Pension Scheme.
  • As a place to live and work, Devon is hard to beat with top-performing schools, universities, vibrant cities, pretty villages and some of the most scenic coast and countryside in the UK. Living and working in Devon as a Mental Health Social Worker has never been more attractive.

Details

Date posted

12 May 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£35,412 to £44,075 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

F0011-26-9720

Job locations

Bideford Hospital

Abbotsham Road

Bideford

Devon

EX39 3AG

United Kingdom


Job description

Job responsibilities

For all relevant information please refer to the job description and person specification documents attached.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For all relevant information please refer to the job description and person specification documents attached.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant professional social work qualification recognised by the regulatory body, Social Work England.
  • - Satisfactory completion of the Assessed & Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).
  • - Registration with the regulatory body.
  • - Continuing professional development to the regulatory body required standard - Knowledge of and understanding of legislative frameworks related to social work in either childrens or adult services.
  • - Knowledge and application of social work models and theories

Screening Questions

Essential

  • Do you have current Right to Work in the UK?
  • Did you qualify before 2012, OR have you completed 1 year of your Assessed and Support Year in Employment (ASYE)?
  • Do you hold a Social Work England professional membership?
  • Can you confirm that you hold a valid UK driving licence and have access to a car or require an exception under the Equality Act 2010?
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant professional social work qualification recognised by the regulatory body, Social Work England.
  • - Satisfactory completion of the Assessed & Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).
  • - Registration with the regulatory body.
  • - Continuing professional development to the regulatory body required standard - Knowledge of and understanding of legislative frameworks related to social work in either childrens or adult services.
  • - Knowledge and application of social work models and theories

Screening Questions

Essential

  • Do you have current Right to Work in the UK?
  • Did you qualify before 2012, OR have you completed 1 year of your Assessed and Support Year in Employment (ASYE)?
  • Do you hold a Social Work England professional membership?
  • Can you confirm that you hold a valid UK driving licence and have access to a car or require an exception under the Equality Act 2010?

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.

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.

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

Devon County Council

Address

Bideford Hospital

Abbotsham Road

Bideford

Devon

EX39 3AG

United Kingdom


Employer's website

https://www.devon.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Devon County Council

Address

Bideford Hospital

Abbotsham Road

Bideford

Devon

EX39 3AG

United Kingdom


Employer's website

https://www.devon.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Details

Date posted

12 May 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£35,412 to £44,075 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

F0011-26-9720

Job locations

Bideford Hospital

Abbotsham Road

Bideford

Devon

EX39 3AG

United Kingdom


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