Job responsibilities
To provide, in
partnership with individuals, their carers and other key professionals, a high
quality, person centred, accountable social care service which ensures best
outcomes for people.
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & REPONSIBILITES
To
actively and effectively manage a caseload which will include prioritising and
co-ordinating own workload; reviewing and monitoring individual needs, care
plans and care packages; decision making; managing risk and effective
recording.
At
all times to be mindful of the Mental Capacity Act and to be alert to
situations where vulnerable adults may be at risk and to act in accordance with
the Adults Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.
To
facilitate proportionate holistic assessments (including where appropriate
self-assessments) working collaboratively with the individual, their
carer/family and other professionals in order to identify levels of need and
outcomes required which will inform the appropriate level of associated
resources to help the person optimise their independence and meet their support
needs.
To
consider the needs of carers in all assessment activity and to undertake Carer
Assessments as requested and/or required.
To
work within appropriate timeframes to meet immediate needs and reduce risks in
crisis situations and at all times ensure appropriate and proportionate
responses or referrals are provided in accordance with legislation, guidance
and policies.
Provide
support in self directing the personalised care and support to meet the
assessed needs and agreed outcomes
Proactively
promote peoples well-being by enabling them to prevent, postpone or reduce the
need for care and support by providing information, advice and signposting
which promotes access to universal/preventative services, community and other
natural support resources; maximising their assets using benefits and other
funding sources, (e.g. Continuing Health Care Funding) to ensure independence,
choice and control.
To
work in partnership with other professionals, supporting service users, carers
and families to develop person centred support plans incorporating an
individuals circle of support, positive risk taking, solution finding where
possible through universal services.
Proactively
manage, with a level of autonomy, unresolved support / unmet need and service
issues and make recommendations for resolution in situations where: needs
cannot be delivered by the personal budget allocation; where there is a lack of
suitable services; the apparent failure of providers to meet national or
locally determined quality or performance standards. This may include preparing and presenting
evidential report(s) to the Individual, Commissioning, Approval and Advice
Panel.
Social
Work Practitioners (Disability) will manage a caseload of people with multiple,
complex and profound disabilities and will assess and plan transitions from
Childrens Services into Adults working with a range of appropriate partners
and providers and providing support to the young people through the transition
process.
Identify,
investigate and manage potential high risk situations where service
users/carers safety or liberty may be at risk, making the necessary referrals
as appropriate so as to enable them to take risks whilst protecting them from
abuse, managing the risks to staff and the organisation; this may include
undertaking assessments under the Mental Capacity Act.
To
assist with investigations into allegations of abuse, contribute to strategy
meetings and liaise with other professionals.
To
maintain case records ensuring that all data meets the required levels of
accuracy, quality, confidentiality and timeliness.
To
prepare reports for panels, case conferences & court and to attend as
required and appropriate.
To
work on a duty rota, responding to emergency assessments or other situations
which may occur.
Act
as mentor to less experienced staff / students, providing them with support and
guidance in terms of professional practice and organisational policies and
procedures
To
have an awareness of the performance targets, both national and local and to
ensure all activity is aligned with meeting those targets.
To
work to Social Work Standards set out by Social Work England.
To
be an ambassador for focus at all times, representing the organisation
positively, professionally and appropriately at meetings with service users,
carers, families, other professionals and agencies.
Additional Expectations of Senior Social Work
Practitioner
To provide professional
supervision and development to a range of other Practitioners, both day to day
and through the formal Supervision.
To support the Social
Work Managers with the allocation of work, management of resources and capacity
planning
To deputise for the Social
Managers, as required in their absence, in terms of attending meetings and
providing leadership to the team.
To assist with
recruitment for staff which may include short listing, question development,
interviewing, assessment
To manage on-boarding of
any new recruits for whom the post holder has direct line management
responsibility
To assist with and
provide support to the ASYE Programme and other similar work placement or work
experience initiatives within focus.
To contribute to the
collation and / or analysis of performance activity and data.
To lead on specific
projects or project groups and significant change initiatives.
NB: This job description gives only the principal
duties and responsibilities of the post and, therefore, the post holder will be
required to undertake various other duties which are implicit in the principal
duties and which are commensurate with the post. Focus has the right to modify
the Job Description (in accordance with the grade of the post) and
modifications will be by mutual consent wherever possible.