Social Worker - REQ004833

INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.

Job title: Social Worker

Salary: PO3 £42,839 - £46,142

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Newsam Centre

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Social Worker to join the Capacity & Flow Service (Working Age Adult). This service works in close collaboration with system partners to optimise overall capacity across the acute Inpatient pathway.

The post holder will play a prominent role in maintaining efficient patient flow and in preventing unnecessary delays in discharge pathways. They will perform a key role in supporting the identification of barriers or potential barriers to discharge in both LYPFT and OOA acute and PICU placements and will work in close collaboration with the clinical team’s service users, families and key stakeholders to address them.

How to apply

Please complete the online application form

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

DATES TO BE CHANGED: Please submit applications no later than 29.01.26 @ 11pm. We expect for interviews to be held in person at Tribeca House w/c 11.2.26 If you have any questions about the job role, please contact the recruiting manager Holly McKenna-Hylton Holly.McKennaHylton@leeds.gov.uk Tel: 07562439336 or laura.sutton@leeds.gov.uk Tel: 07891271379

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy. 

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.  

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. 

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose: Under the general direction of a Team Manager to provide a high quality and comprehensive social work service adults, carers and community in accordance with the organisational needs, policy and practices of the Directorate and within statutory guidelines.

The post holder must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities within the City Council’s Policies and Procedures, in particular the Council Policies on Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety, and also within the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Code of Practice.

This is an experienced Social Worker role with specific responsibilities for managing a caseload of higher levels of challenge and complexity, which will include assessment and management of risk and to provide casework advice, support and guidance to other team members.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds.

Core Responsibilities:

To carry a caseload of complex cases and undertake assessment of service users and carer needs using a person centred approach in accordance with agreed statutory and directorate procedures.
Provide advice, support and guidance on casework to less experienced team members.
Maintain and update case notes and other records, write reports as required; give evidence in court in relation to care or other proceedings.
Assist in the planning and developing of future services and policies and promote innovative ways of developing support to service users.
Supervise students and offer support to trainees, other team members and/or volunteers.
Manage and monitor a workload of complex and diverse cases within the parameters of agreed policies and practices together with professional guidance and support from Team Managers to safeguard and promote the welfare of individuals, families and their carers. Very highly complex cases may be co-worked within the line management framework.
On the basis of assessed needs and risks and, using a person centred approach, devise and implement service and support plans which correspond to the assessed needs of service users, their families and carers in line with procedures.
Responsible for analysing information to support the ongoing needs of service users, their families and carers.
To monitor and contribute to the review of plans relating to the assessed needs of service users, their families and carers in accordance with directorate procedures.
To use a Safeguarding framework to investigate and manage risks where individuals have experienced or likely to experience significant harm.
Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative and based on analysis of complex evidence which can be used within the legal context.
Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the requirements of data protection.
Be compliant with relevant governance, policy and procedures.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of service users.
Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
Be responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies and procedures. Maintain an awareness of related theories and legislation. Disseminate knowledge and contribute to the delivery of a high standard of service.
Responsible for planning and negotiating a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of service users within delegated levels of responsibility.
Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required.
Appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums and convene and chair multi agency meetings in line with procedures.
Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
To work to and within the prescribed national Professional Capabilities Framework.
To participate in training and development activities that ensures up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development.
To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council and Directorate policies and procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under Health and Safety policy and procedures.
To actively promote and support Leeds City Council’s and Directorate policies on Equality and Diversity.
To undertake any other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the grade and purpose of the job as may be determined by the directorate.
Work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal.
Provide professional advice, and support to colleagues, including newly qualified Social Workers. Supervise, support and provide development for student placements.
Work in a cross section of social work teams, through secondments etc. to continually develop and consolidate knowledge base and level of skills and enabling the assignment of more complex caseloads to meet the ever changing needs of individuals, their families and carers.
Under the direction of the Team Manager undertake specific pieces of work in relation to customer feedback, representations, complaints, multi agency projects or service developments and make recommendations or actions plans to implement these to improve service delivery.
Chair multi agency meetings, determine plans and make recommendations to the Team Manager and contribute to the development of capacity within the community.
To supervise students and contribute to the preparation of practice learning settings for student placements, ensuring induction programmes are provided and continuously monitor learning setting and opportunities provided.

Job Overview

To be responsible for a complex caseload which includes the assessment of needs and management of risk regarding adults, carers and community. Maintain and update case notes and other records, write reports as required and if required, give evidence in court in relation to care or other proceedings. Contribute to planning and developing of future services and policies and promote innovative ways of developing support to service users. Supervise students and develop the practice learning setting. Give guidance to trainees, support staff and social work assistants as required.

Responsibilities

Undertake a range of complex Community Care assessments. Investigate complaints of alleged neglect and/or abuse of adults. Undertake safeguarding investigations in accordance with legislative requirements and Multi-agency Safeguarding procedures. Undertake risk assessments, identify needs and options.
Develop and maintain effective relationships with service users, their families and carers: provide advice and support: promote independence and early intervention, as necessary; help resolve conflict, where appropriate.
Contribute to the enhanced screening of new referrals and people already in receipt of services.
Work with individuals, families, carers and communities to help them make informed choices and decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.
Where necessary work in the court arena with appropriate support to obtain and implement court orders.
Construct value for money care packages; commission a range of services for individuals, groups and communities designed to minimise risk and improve quality of life for service users and their carers.
Contribute to the development of practice and services through participation in workshops, and consultations.
Carry out specific pieces of work on cases that are allocated to other team members.
To undertake the Practice Educator Level 2 role and assess and manage the work of social work students.
Participate in office duty on a rota basis, responding to new referrals, assessing urgency of requests and with advice and support, if appropriate, implementing actions to meet immediate needs.
With appropriate supervision and guidance and following a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience undertake Best Interest Assessments as set out in statute, document and evidence assessments as required within statutorily defined time frames. Where required identify and nominate a Representative for the individual and make recommendations for any proposed authorisation.
Where required, following a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience to undertake social work duties with regard to the Mental Health Act 2007, including assessment and admissions, where authorised for this duty.

Specific Responsibilities for Senior Social Workers – Mental Health

Work with people aged 18+ with Mental Health issues
Participate in the Approved Mental Health Practitioner (AMHP) rota.

Qualifications:

Appropriate professional qualification (BSc, BA, MA, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) upon commencement of the post and maintain registration. Practice Educator Level 1 on appointment, and to undertake Practice Educator Level 2 within an agreed time period.

Essential Requirements: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills Required

Able to effectively plan, manage, prioritise and evaluate work with service users.
Ability to plan, prioritise and time manage a complex workload.
A high level of effective written and verbal communication and the ability to pass information accurately and concisely with a range of partners and service users, carers and colleagues.
Able to overcome resistance and to exercise assertiveness in appropriate situations when working with individuals, families, carers and other agencies.
Ability to negotiate, challenge and manage conflict.
To innovate and problem solve with the ability to identify appropriate social work interventions in order to promote positive change.
Ability to devise, implement review and evaluate service and support plans.
Ability to assess the needs of and work with individuals and groups using a person centred approach.
Ability to exercise individual judgement and consult where and when necessary.
Ability to be flexible, creative and use own initiative.
Ability to maintain accurate service user records, assessments and follow policy and procedure.
Able to record, evidence and communicate using technology.
Able to exercise individual judgement, assess risk and consult where and when appropriate.
Ability to chair multi agency and other meetings and represent the Council in a professional capacity.
Able to develop self and others including mentoring, supervision and development of student placements and other social work staff.
Able to lead and motivate staff.

Knowledge Required

Appropriate social work professional qualification (BSc, BA, MA, DipSW, CQSW, or equivalent).
Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
To undertake Practice Educator Level 2 on appointment.
Recent relevant professional development.
Knowledge and understanding of the legislative framework appropriate to the needs of service users from a wide range of backgrounds.
Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary agencies.
Basic awareness of IT systems including Microsoft Office, Internet and Email.
Of current, trends, policies, legislation and regulatory bodies in relation to vulnerable people within a social care setting.
Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of individuals, families and carers as appropriate.
Demonstrate an awareness of needs and safeguarding issues associated with vulnerable people.
Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities.
A good understanding of the challenges of working within a multi agency environment.
Undertake Approved Mental Health Practitioner training if required.
Best Interest Assessor Training if required.

Experience Required

Significant experience of working in a statutory setting.
Experience of working in a multi agency setting.
Demonstrated creativity in tackling and solving problems.
Of working within and implementing a person centred/child focused approach.
Experience of supervising, supporting, encouraging and advising qualified and non qualified staff.
Use of reflective practice techniques to critically analyse information to inform decision making and planning.
Producing written records and reports to a high standard for a variety of purposes with language suited to function.
Managing a high level, complex and diverse caseload within agreed parameters, policy and procedure.
Application of information gathering skills to make and contribute to assessments.

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

Committed to continuous improvement.
Identify and take account of the significance of diversity on the lives of people and show application of this understanding in practice.
To carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under the Council’s Health & Safety Policies.
Take responsibility for improving practice through professional development.
Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) upon commencement in post and maintain yearly registration.

Desirable Requirements: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Skills Required

Possession of a full current driving licence.

Knowledge Required

Consolidation of learning for specialist practice.
Of the range of services available to users, families and carers.

Experience Required

Of working and reporting within a court environment.
Of working with a wide range of user groups.

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