Job summary
This role is located in a British Overseas Territory, therefore UK legislation such as the Data Protection Act (2018) and the Equality Act (2010), or similar, may not apply.
The Falkland Islands Government is seeking to recruit a registered social worker with five years post qualifying experience. You will work with vulnerable adults within the community but you must be prepared to work flexibly as our role is generic, spanning the whole spectrum of tasks and client groups due to the small size of the community. Additionally developing policy for Adult and Childrens social care will be a key element of this role.
The Falkland Islands offers unique lifestyle opportunities including having a good work/life balance. Stanley is a friendly and busy town with a wide range of amenities and a variety of clubs and associations. If you are an enthusiastic Advanced Practitioner we would like to hear from you.
- In return we offer: Fixed Term Contract up to 4 years.
- Salary Range, basic starting salary £42,641 - £49,090 (depending on qualifications and experience) rising to £52,555.
- Eligibility for a 25% Gratuity (taxable).
- 41 days paid leave, 30 days annual leave and 11 public holidays.
- Relocation Allowance, to help with moving costs.
- Flights Package for you and recognised dependents at the beginning and end of contract, and additional annual return flights contingent on the duration of the contract.
- Government Housing for rent and a starter pack to help you settle in.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will lead on adult safeguarding and complex cases in the Falkland Islands, delivering statutory social work services in accordance with relevant legislation, including the Assessment and Safeguarding of Adults Ordinance 2020 and the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, in preparation for the introduction of the Mental Capacity Ordinance.
The role involves multi-departmental working, developing and delivering training on adult safeguarding and the forthcoming Mental Capacity Ordinance, and establishing internal procedures to ensure effective oversight of deprivation of liberty applications and reviews.
About us
The Health and Social Services Directorate, Falkland Islands provides emergency, primary, secondary and community healthcare as well as social services assistance, support, and advice. Most health services are based at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) which is the Islands only hospital and is based in the capital Stanley. We serve the local community of about 3,700 residents, short-term residents and visitors.
The Falkland Islands are an unique natural environment located in the South Atlantic, 8,000 miles south of the UK mainland, which is a British overseas territory with a full internal self-government. The Islands boasts unspoilt beaches, outstanding wildlife, and stunning landscapes with a good work/life balance. Stanley is a friendly and busy city with a wide range of amenities and a variety of clubs and associations. Our vacancies are in our local currency, Falkland Islands pound (FKP), which is directly equal to the U.K. pound (GBP).
The hospital environment is one in which clinical staff have the time, resources, and support to provide the highest standards of care and to develop their careers. In addition to being supported to practise with a broad scope, clinical staff are encouraged and assisted to develop particular areas of clinical expertise.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Safeguarding Duties
- Undertake or contribute to Section 10 safeguarding enquiries in accordance with the relevant legislation.
- Ensure the principles of safeguarding are applied when assessing risk and take timely, appropriate safeguarding actions, whilst ensuring the individual is central to the process.
- Work with adults, families, carers, and professionals to develop protection plans that reduce or remove risk.
- Participate in safeguarding strategy discussions and case conferences, contributing to multi-agency planning.
- Ensure safeguarding cases are recorded accurately and in line with statutory guidance.
- Escalate serious concerns and liaise with the Team Manager and legal team as required.
- Conduct Achieving Best Evidence interviews in accordance with guidance.
- Undertake S69 enquires under the Children Ordinance 2014 if required.
- Act as a Falkland Islands Designated Officer if required (similar role/responsibilities as Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) in England and Wales) as outlined in the Safeguarding of Children and Young People Procedures.
- Assessment and Case Management: Carry out strengths-based assessments of adults and carers to determine eligibility for care and support.
- Develop person-centred care and support plans that promote independence and meet assessed needs.
- Review and monitor support plans to ensure outcomes are met and risks are managed appropriately.
- Apply the Mental Capacity Ordinance, including undertaking capacity assessments and best interest decisions.
- Undertake social work functions in hospital discharge, community, safeguarding, and learning disability settings (as appropriate).
- Prepare reports and attend court as appropriate. Occasionally undertake statutory work with children and families as required.
- Multi-agency Working: Build positive relationships and collaborate with health professionals, police, housing, probation, and voluntary sector organisations etc.
- Participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings and case reviews.
- Provide advice and guidance to other professionals regarding adult safeguarding processes and thresholds.
- Ensure that a focused service is provided, monitor and resolve service user problems and improve satisfaction of outcomes Learning & Development.
- Keep up to date with contemporary issues in Adult social work including legislation and evidence based practice and use this to inform working practice.
- Use supervision to reflect on cases, and put learning into practice.
Lead Professional
- Liaise with colleagues in own and other directorates and external agencies to gather information to inform assessment and care planning activities, jointly plan and deliver interventions.
- Provide constructive challenge to enhance practice, procedures and policies, promote innovation, and introduce new ways of working.
- Provide formal supervision, advice and support to the Social Work Assistant / Social Workers as required to ensure that effective and sound decisions are made.
- Provide leadership and professional insights to colleagues and other professionals for work in situations of high complexity.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Safeguarding Duties
- Undertake or contribute to Section 10 safeguarding enquiries in accordance with the relevant legislation.
- Ensure the principles of safeguarding are applied when assessing risk and take timely, appropriate safeguarding actions, whilst ensuring the individual is central to the process.
- Work with adults, families, carers, and professionals to develop protection plans that reduce or remove risk.
- Participate in safeguarding strategy discussions and case conferences, contributing to multi-agency planning.
- Ensure safeguarding cases are recorded accurately and in line with statutory guidance.
- Escalate serious concerns and liaise with the Team Manager and legal team as required.
- Conduct Achieving Best Evidence interviews in accordance with guidance.
- Undertake S69 enquires under the Children Ordinance 2014 if required.
- Act as a Falkland Islands Designated Officer if required (similar role/responsibilities as Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) in England and Wales) as outlined in the Safeguarding of Children and Young People Procedures.
- Assessment and Case Management: Carry out strengths-based assessments of adults and carers to determine eligibility for care and support.
- Develop person-centred care and support plans that promote independence and meet assessed needs.
- Review and monitor support plans to ensure outcomes are met and risks are managed appropriately.
- Apply the Mental Capacity Ordinance, including undertaking capacity assessments and best interest decisions.
- Undertake social work functions in hospital discharge, community, safeguarding, and learning disability settings (as appropriate).
- Prepare reports and attend court as appropriate. Occasionally undertake statutory work with children and families as required.
- Multi-agency Working: Build positive relationships and collaborate with health professionals, police, housing, probation, and voluntary sector organisations etc.
- Participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings and case reviews.
- Provide advice and guidance to other professionals regarding adult safeguarding processes and thresholds.
- Ensure that a focused service is provided, monitor and resolve service user problems and improve satisfaction of outcomes Learning & Development.
- Keep up to date with contemporary issues in Adult social work including legislation and evidence based practice and use this to inform working practice.
- Use supervision to reflect on cases, and put learning into practice.
Lead Professional
- Liaise with colleagues in own and other directorates and external agencies to gather information to inform assessment and care planning activities, jointly plan and deliver interventions.
- Provide constructive challenge to enhance practice, procedures and policies, promote innovation, and introduce new ways of working.
- Provide formal supervision, advice and support to the Social Work Assistant / Social Workers as required to ensure that effective and sound decisions are made.
- Provide leadership and professional insights to colleagues and other professionals for work in situations of high complexity.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A degree in Social Work approved by one of the following regulators and current registration with one of the below: Social Work England, Social Care Wales, Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) - in Northern Ireland, Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) - in Scotland
- If qualifying after 2013, to have completed and passed the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment
- A Post Graduate Diploma or PQ specialist award or have appropriate equivalent experience, (RQF 7 or NVQ 5 equivalent)
- Best Interest assessor qualification
- Evidence of commitment to CPD as required by one of the registration bodies listed above
- Possession of a full current manual driving licence
Experience
Essential
- Five years relevant post qualifying experience working in the UK
- (Experience in a British Overseas Territory working under a UK model may be considered)
- Experience of assessing and identifying the needs of adults and establishing targeted planning to meet their needs
- Practical experience producing in depth and analytical assessments for complex cases
- Experience of chairing multi-disciplinary meetings
- Experience of undertaking assessments and writing court reports and presenting evidence in court
- Achieving Best Evidence trained and experienced
- Possesses an insight and understanding of the pressures of working in a small community and the professional behaviour required in that context
- Supervisory experience and experience of signing off assessments and supporting colleagues
- Sound knowledge of adult social work practice issues, social work interventions and a good understanding of the assessment of adults Contemporary knowledge of social work theories and models
- In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, guidance and policies
- Good IT skills, including the ability to use Outlook and other IT software packages effectively
- Good organisational and planning skills
- Ability to write appropriate reports and keep documents up to date Ability to develop and deliver training and support the introduction new practices, processed and procedures as required e.g. Mental Capacity Ordinance
- Ability, through reflection, to analyse, interpret and make positive plans
- Ability to effectively solve problems and issues, making rational, realistic and effective judgements
- Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to manage pressure effectively and deal positively and constructively with conflict and challenge
- Ability to prioritise and use time effectively and be prepared to work, sometimes, outside the normal working day
- Proven ability to work effectively as a team and as an individual
- Able to attend meetings and to work in a variety of locations both within Stanley and in Camp
Desirable
- Experience in an Emergency Duty Team or Standby work
- Experience of working with adults with disabilities
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A degree in Social Work approved by one of the following regulators and current registration with one of the below: Social Work England, Social Care Wales, Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) - in Northern Ireland, Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) - in Scotland
- If qualifying after 2013, to have completed and passed the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment
- A Post Graduate Diploma or PQ specialist award or have appropriate equivalent experience, (RQF 7 or NVQ 5 equivalent)
- Best Interest assessor qualification
- Evidence of commitment to CPD as required by one of the registration bodies listed above
- Possession of a full current manual driving licence
Experience
Essential
- Five years relevant post qualifying experience working in the UK
- (Experience in a British Overseas Territory working under a UK model may be considered)
- Experience of assessing and identifying the needs of adults and establishing targeted planning to meet their needs
- Practical experience producing in depth and analytical assessments for complex cases
- Experience of chairing multi-disciplinary meetings
- Experience of undertaking assessments and writing court reports and presenting evidence in court
- Achieving Best Evidence trained and experienced
- Possesses an insight and understanding of the pressures of working in a small community and the professional behaviour required in that context
- Supervisory experience and experience of signing off assessments and supporting colleagues
- Sound knowledge of adult social work practice issues, social work interventions and a good understanding of the assessment of adults Contemporary knowledge of social work theories and models
- In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, guidance and policies
- Good IT skills, including the ability to use Outlook and other IT software packages effectively
- Good organisational and planning skills
- Ability to write appropriate reports and keep documents up to date Ability to develop and deliver training and support the introduction new practices, processed and procedures as required e.g. Mental Capacity Ordinance
- Ability, through reflection, to analyse, interpret and make positive plans
- Ability to effectively solve problems and issues, making rational, realistic and effective judgements
- Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to manage pressure effectively and deal positively and constructively with conflict and challenge
- Ability to prioritise and use time effectively and be prepared to work, sometimes, outside the normal working day
- Proven ability to work effectively as a team and as an individual
- Able to attend meetings and to work in a variety of locations both within Stanley and in Camp
Desirable
- Experience in an Emergency Duty Team or Standby work
- Experience of working with adults with disabilities
