Senior Social Work Practitioner - Community Learning

Job description

Job responsibilities

1.The post holder will be based in the Adult Disability Services, Community Learning Disability Team and will undertake, as required, social work led needs assessments within current service thresholds, in close liaison with the other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

2.To ensure adults holistic needs are met by working closely with them, their carers, families, colleagues and other agencies, ensuring that the adult is central to all planning.

3.To form positive working relationships with professionals from other departments and agencies.

4.To prepare reports for meetings, reviews, panels and court and to represent The Committee for Health and Social Care in legal proceedings.

5.To collect statistical information regarding long term conditions and care to contribute to the compilation of an Annual Report.

6.To maintain case recordings and files (electronic and/or paper) in accordance with professional standards.

7.To ensure that legislation, policies and procedures in relation to adults with learning disabilities and/or autism who have care and support needs are adhered to and to contribute to the development of policies, procedures and guidelines.

8.To provide professional support and guidance as agreed to team members on specified work as requested by the Team Manager, Community Learning Disability Team.

9.To contribute to a positive culture within the team that promotes mutual respect and good professional standards.

10.To actively participate in the delivery of multi-agency training and audit to enhance understanding of the issues for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism who have complex needs.

11.To undertake other such duties as may be determined by Service Manager.

12.To undertake direct first line management supervision of other team members as required.

13.To actively participate in the mentoring of less experienced staff as required.

14.To promote the rights and independence of service users, encouraging choice, involvement and empowerment.

15.To participate in identified initiatives to develop opportunities for adults, families and main carers to participate in the development of services and service delivery.

16.To receive and participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal.

17.To organise and attend meetings as appropriate.

18.To work collaboratively with service users and their families to assess their needs and plan and deliver services in accordance with the Community Learning Disability Teams service area.

19.Manage a complex workload with a degree of autonomy, developing and maintaining a network of internal and external colleagues, with whom to seek and share advice, expertise and develop practice.

20.Provide professional, reflective supervision and support to staff as relevant to the needs of the team, e.g. staff induction, newly qualified social workers, students.

21.At an advanced level, communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, to a range of audiences including adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, their families, carers and professional colleagues.

22.Ability to gather, analyse and review complex and/or contradictory information quickly and effectively, using it to reach informed decisions to determine and plan interventions and decide a course of action, with minimum support.

23.Plan and prioritise workload with a flexible work environment with a high level of autonomy, modelling workload management skills to others.

24.Demonstrate understanding of, and acceptance and commitment to, the principles of human rights and equality and how they underpin practice.

25.Knowledge and understanding of effective customer care.

26.Must have knowledge understanding and application at an advanced level of:

The values and principles underpinning service user involvement, including the right to access independent advocacy and complaints processes.

The legal and policy frameworks and guidance that inform and mandate social work practice in Adults Social Care, including a sophisticated knowledge of the law and guidance relating to the service area.

The Professional Capabilities Framework as it applies to all social work levels.

27.Carry out all duties in accordance with the Health and Social Care Policy and other policies designed to protect employees and service users from harassment. It is the duty of the post holder not to act in an oppressive or discriminatory manner towards employees or service users. The post holder should respond to such practice or behaviour by challenging or reporting it.

28.The post holder will also, as required, take a lead professional role for certain cases, where it has been identified that the person and their family require an ongoing social work service.

29.To work in an inter-agency context, where activities will be complex and where the post holder will be required to undertake considerable responsibility and to work autonomously.

30.The post holder will advise, support co-work and case hold, within the assessment and social care planning process, ensuring that all aspects of need are identified on a multi-disciplinary basis and care plans, transition and pathway plans address aspects of need, relating to learning disabilities and/or autism.

31.The job and post holder is intended to make a significant contribution to developing new ways of working on the basis of a needs led holistic assessment process, which identifies achievable outcomes, that accord with the persons views and aspirations.

32.To participate in the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of undertaking assessments, care planning, completing Safeguarding reports and compiling Safeguarding reports.
• Good presentation skills, especially with regard to presenting information at panels and meetings.
• Ability to communicate clearly and appropriately at all levels, both orally and in writing, with the ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with people of all levels.
• A thorough knowledge of Health and Social Care Adult Safeguarding Policy.
• Ability to assess and analyse information and draw conclusions which are evidence based and outcome focused.
• Committed to promoting anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities, with an ability to demonstrate an understanding of how equality and diversity can be promoted.
• Good written and communication skills.
• Able to develop good working relationships with service users, carers and other professionals.
• Ability to operate as a member of a team, working in partnership with colleagues and contributing to the development of services through a team approach.
• Ability to make sound judgements and decisions with confidence and to cope in stressful situations and provide calm leadership.
• Experience of developing learning and development opportunities and facilitating training.

Qualifications

Essential

• Social Work Degree
• Relevant post qualification experience with adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, along with knowledge and understanding of relevant Guernsey Legislation.
• A professional management qualification or willingness to study for a management qualification.
• To be in possession of a clean and current driving licence.

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

States of Guernsey

Address

Princess Elizabeth Hospital

Le Vauquiedor

St. Martin

Guernsey

GY4 6UU

Employer's website

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