Social Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

To undertake complex person-centred assessments (including assessment of mental capacity where appropriate) with customers and to plan for the provision of support and/ or services with customers in order to assist them meet their outcomes and to live as independently as possible.

To support carers to continue in their role in complex situations

To ensure accurate and timely recording of all information and activity onto the social care records database in accordance with work targets set by the Team Manager and supervisor.

To gather sufficient information about customers in order to be able to accurately assess their needs against eligibility criteria.

To contribute to local knowledge (within the team and the service) about universally available services is up to date including what is available within the voluntary and community sector, as well as the Departments commissioned and contracted services and to signpost/advocate for customers accordingly.

To have advanced skills and knowledge in assessment, support planning and the management of risks for individuals and to be able to apply Council policy and support customers to manage risk appropriately.

Practice in line with legal requirements, demonstrating a detailed understanding of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and Continuing Health Care guidance.

To undertake Best Interests decision making, including convening and chairing Best Interests meetings to fulfil legal requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Advise, guide and support colleagues to meets legal, procedure and practice requirements

To identify where adults may be at risk and to act in accordance with the Departments safeguarding policies and procedures.

To undertake the role of Investigating Officer, including section 42 (Care Act) enquiries and multi-agency working in accordance with Wiltshire multi-agency policies and procedures for safeguarding adults, including gathering and analyzing complex information and associated risks, and making recommendations in relation to Adult Protection Plans.

Carry out one to one supervision once a month with allocated staff ensuring that supervision is timely and recorded and that any practice concerns are communicated to senior staff/line managers.

To take on formal assessor role for newly qualified social workers undertaking Assessed and Supported Year (ASYE)

To participate in Practice Education Professional Standards (PEPS) training and undertake placement supervision of student social workers.

To represent the council in multi-disciplinary working with health , police and other colleagues, working collaboratively to ensure effective communication/information sharing and to support decision making processes.

To write reports for court hearings and to present evidence in court, including Court of Protection and High Court.

To ensure that Council corporate and departmental policies and procedures are followed at all times.

To contribute proactively to the effective working of the team with a positive attitude, by sharing knowledge, offering advice and support and by preparedness to be involved in the development of services.

Take the lead in organizing and conducting peer group developmental sessions within the team and across teams as required

To fully engage and prepare for own supervision and appraisal through self-evaluation, ensuring that continual professional development is evidenced.

To be an ambassador for the Council and the department at all times, always representing the Council positively, professionally and appropriately at meetings with customers, external partners and agencies.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or equivalent experience/skills.
• ITQ 2 or equivalent skill and ability demonstrating significant experience in IT systems.
• Professional qualification in area of specialism.
• Licence / certificate / qualification required for the role.

Experience

Essential

• Qualified Social Worker with evidence of post qualifying learning and development
• Social Work England registered.
• Proven track record of strengths-based social work with adults, including the safeguarding of
• adults.
• Extensive knowledge of health and social care and other relevant legislation policies and
• guidance.
• Evidenced experience of professional and personal development following achievement of
• professional qualification, likely to be a minimum of 2 years post-qualification
• Evidence of giving informal supervision
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate with people in a variety
• of ways and levels.
• Ability to utilise a range of Microsoft and electronic social care record software
• A self-starter, a well organised person who is passionate about delivery of high quality customer centric services.
• Ability to work with others in a developmental way
• Must be able to write clear, complex and accurate reports
• Fluent in spoken and written English

Desirable

• Post graduate qualification in a relevant area, e.g. Practice Educator or Best Interests Assessor
• or Approved Mental Health Professional.
• Experience of giving formal supervision and appraisal

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

Wiltshire Council

Address

County Hall

Bythesea Rd

Trowbridge

Wiltshire

BA14 8JN

Employer's website

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)