Experienced Social Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

Care job family overview:

Support and assist the well-being of individuals and groups to assure their protection, security and development

Safeguarding, protection and care.

Community, residential, day or field settings.

Ongoing risk/needs assessment of and advice for individuals/groups.

Specification of any non-council provision.

Individual or small group emphasis.

May involve personal care activities.

Likely to involve immediate response to client.

Service and Function Context

The overall responsibilities of the service/function are:

To provide statutory support to adults with care and support needs and their carers/families, which includes information and advice, assessment, support planning and safeguarding.

Comply with legal framework for social care in line with personalisation principles, which aim to put individuals, families and communities at the heart of care and wellbeing, and in doing so strengthen relationships between members of that community and build social capital.

Operate within defined budgets for social care.

Work in partnership and liaison with partners including primary, secondary and tertiary health care and with voluntary sector organisations.

Job Purpose

To practice in accordance with and uphold the Standards of Professional Practice for social workers as defined by the Health and Care Professions Council, which includes the code of ethics and the continuing professional development requirements in order to maintain registration as a social worker to be able to work in England.

To practice in accordance with the Professional Capabilities Framework for Social Workers (the national occupational standards for the profession) at the level of Experienced Social Worker.

Practitioners working in line with the Experienced Social Worker level of the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) are more autonomous in their role than at lower levels of the PCF. They are expected to demonstrate expert and effective practice in complex situations, assessing and managing higher levels of risk, striking a balance between support and control, liaising with a wide range of professionals, including more senior levels.

They manage complex caseloads, and offer expert opinion within the organisation and to others. They chair a range of meetings, offer expert support to case conferences, and produce high quality assessments and reports for a range of functions. They model good practice, setting expectations for others. They start to take responsibility and be accountable for the practice of others, mentoring newly qualified social workers, and supervising the work of junior staff. They undertake capacity-building with individuals, families, communities, user groups and voluntary organisations, and contribute their views on service provision to commissioners.

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 analysing 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.

Specific requirements for this post:

Flexible working - There will be a requirement to occasionally work outside of standard hours, including weekends, to meet the needs of the service, for example assessing customers abilities at different times of the day or provide support to other members of the team. The number of out of hours worked will not exceed 10% of the total contracted hours per week.

Person Specification

Qualifications

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.

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)