Social Care Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

To act as the key point of contact for the customer and coordinate any activities that are required to meet the outcome for the customer. There will be a requirement to undertake community care assessments, working with the customer, to identify outcomes and how these can be met. The customer coordinator will be the person who liaises with other professionals to ensure that the customer has an organised and coordinated approach in order to meet their outcomes. Specific duties and responsibilities include:

Act as the key point of contact for customers, including those who fund their own care, who require our services and coordinate any care, advice and services that the customer may require. This includes care management (as defined by the NHS & Community Care Act 1990), provision of equipment, arrangement of services and advice and support.

Undertake Community Care Assessments in line with the NHS & Community Care Act 1990 and other legislation and organisational policy and Reviews for customers to identify and agree outcomes and how they can be achieved with the customer. It will be necessary at all times to ensure that the customer has choice and control and that the services provided are cost effective and that any risks are clearly identified. Apply the Fair Access to Care Criteria in relation to the provision of services. Operate within legislative framework for adult social care.

Recognise the role and needs of Carers, offering Carers assessments and providing appropriate advice and support.

Management of own caseload, prioritising work and tasks appropriately and using effective time management skills. Working within guidelines and using own discretion, identify when specialist (Social workers, Occupational Therapists, other professionals etc.) involvement is required, make the appropriate referrals and ensure effective liaison with the specialists. Arrange case conferences (Multidisciplinary and/or multiagency) if required.

Ensure effective, timely and appropriate communication with the customers, colleagues, managers and any specialists who may be involved with the customer.

Be responsible for recording accurate and timely information on the Care First Database and be able to use Microsoft software. Adhere to Data Protection legislation and confidentiality.

Understand and deliver on departmental priorities for high quality services, aiming for good results in key Performance indicators.

To be responsible for your own health and safety e.g. lone working, and that of anybody else who may be affected by your acts or omissions.

Analyse and appraise work and personal development through discussion, participation in supervision and annual appraisal with line manager. Have a commitment to ongoing development.

Be able to identify if a vulnerable person may be at risk and make a Vulnerable Adults alert in line with the Safeguarding policy.

Invite feedback, reporting to the Programme Lead, Customer Services as appropriate. Understand and adhere to Complaints Procedures and advise people appropriately if they wish to complain.

Be able to respond to civil emergencies under instruction.

Approve expenditure within clear guidelines and prescribed limits

Be able to identify ways in which outcomes for people can be met on an individual basis. This involves creative thinking to identify appropriate alternatives. This could include commissioned services, direct payments, individualised budgets and use of universal services within the community.

Working with people to identify how they do tasks (household tasks, personal care) and look at how they can do these tasks differently in order to encourage and maintain independence. This could involve referral to our Reablement Service.

Once a need has been established the post holder needs to be able to identify different ways in which this need can be met. This may involve looking beyond commissioned services and requires the ability to research what universal services are available. It is also necessary to think creatively in order to meet needs e.g. can a local public house provide a meal for someone, can a person be taught how to do shopping on-line. The service user can then be given the opportunity to make an informed choice on how they would prefer their needs to be met.

Identify where a direct payment may be appropriate in order for people to receive a more flexible service or to purchase specific equipment

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• High level of relevant and practical experience acquired on the job.
• An advanced understanding of relevant procedures and working practices.
• Advanced knowledge of specialist function relevant to service area.
• Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems.
• Significant experience of working with clients and client groups with complex needs.
• Proven ability to carry out client risk assessments to identify eligibility for service provision and/or
• risk of harm.
• Proven ability to advise and guide clients to encourage development and to access services to
• which they are entitled.
• Ability to build trust and confidence with clients, client groups and colleagues.
• Proven ability to interpret situations, analyse behaviours to make judgements and deliver
• interventions to achieve outcomes.
• Proven ability to deliver training

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ 4 / HNC in Health or Social Care or ability to demonstrate the skills required and a
• commitment to work towards this qualification within an agreed timeframe
• Educated to at least GCSE (Grade C or above) or equivalent standard, including good passes
• in English and Maths
• Excellent IT skills competent with Microsoft Office packages
• 2 years previous experience working in a health or social care environment.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to prioritise tasks and work on own initiative against deadlines
• Self-sufficient in planning and organising own work, including recording, storing and retrieving
• required data and information
• Work without direct supervision
• Ability to work under pressure
• Good understanding of the national agenda for Transformation in Social Care
• Ability to work in a person centred way to meet individual outcomes
• Ability to work with people to balance choice and independence with risk
• To keep up to date with current policies, work practices within Social care. Understands and
• complies with legislative and policy framework of Adult Social Care.
• Ability to recognise and identify customers who require DoLS pathways 1 & 2
• Ability to recognise all aspects of abuse and a good knowledge of Wiltshire Safeguarding
• policies

Desirable

• Enthusiasm for the objectives of the team
• Aware of Government initiatives in relation to Transformation of Social Care
• To be an active team player by contributing to the development of the service, ensuring the
• customer is always at the centre of such developments

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Wiltshire Council

Address

Wiltshire Council

Monkton Park

Chippenham

Wiltshire

SN15 1ER

Employer's website

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