Social work and social care services

Within social work and social care services our different teams share an overarching goal – better lives for people in Leeds with care and support needs.

We work collaboratively with individuals by drawing on their own strengths and assets to determine an outcome and promote a good and fulfilling life for them. We also have a responsibility to protect people’s health, wellbeing and human rights and enable them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.

We have a well-established learning and development offer, ensuring that everyone in our team has the right skills and experience to deliver high quality care and support. We are committed to growing our own workforce so we invest in a wide range of career pathways from apprenticeships through to leadership to enable our valued colleagues to grow and progress.

Our teams

Social Work and Occupational Therapy

We work with residents who have health, care and support needs to enable them to access services and live independently. We involve their carers and families and provide person-centred support which varies in complexity depending on which services they need.

We work alongside people with mental health conditions, sensory impairment, physical disabilities, learning disabilities and others with specialist needs. We also have a legal responsibility to protect people from abuse and neglect under the Care Act 2014.

Roles include:

  • Learning Disability Nurse Care Manager: a registered qualified nursing professional provides a high quality and comprehensive care management service to learning disabled adults and their carers, working collaboratively across the community and multi-disciplinary team in accordance with organisational needs, policy and statutory guidance
  • Social Worker: a registered professionally qualified role, with responsibility for undertaking comprehensive, holistic assessments of vulnerable people and their carers; advises, advocates for and safeguards people and facilitates outcomes for improved daily living and wellbeing as outlined in the Care Act 2014
  • Wellbeing Worker: provides a comprehensive assessment and support planning service, advising adults with care and support needs and promoting the principles of wellbeing as described within the Care Act 2014; the role is based within community social work teams with support and direction from social work colleagues
  • Community Occupational Therapist: a registered professionally qualified role, that conducts occupational therapy and reablement assessments, maintaining a strengths-based, occupational focus and the key aim of reducing barriers to inclusion; responsible for care planning for the whole process

SkILs Reablement Service

Our SkILs reablement team provides tailored support to people in their own homes for up to 6 weeks after discharge from hospital. We start with an individual assessment which leads to person-centred goal setting to improve wellbeing. We help people build confidence and regain skills to do what they can and want to do.

Our service aim is to empower people to do things for themselves, rather than having things done for them. We are committed to enhancing quality of life for customers and supporting them to achieve their objectives whilst maximising their independence and reducing the need for ongoing support or long-term care.

Roles include:

  • Support Worker: delivers person-centred support in customer’s own home, including personal care and daily living activities as identified in the support plan
  • Supervisor: provides day-to-day support and supervision to SkILs support workers, ensuring service delivery is person-centred and promotes independence
  • Case Officer: line manages and supervises SkILs supervisors and provides additional support to all SkILs Workers to ensure service delivery is person-centred and promotes independence

Care Delivery Service

Using our strength and asset based approach our care delivery team aims to deliver the very best possible outcomes for individuals and their carers.

Our 23 services offer care and support for working age adults and older people. Some examples of our services are:

  • care homes
  • recovery hubs
  • mental health accommodation
  • mental health homeless team
  • physical impairment
  • complex needs
  • dementia peer support
  • Shared Lives and Home Share

We have an inclusive culture, and we welcome staff from underrepresented groups as this better reflects the communities we serve.

Roles include:

  • Support Worker: contributes to providing an integrated package of support to customers to enable them to live independent, safe and fulfilling lives using a strengths-based approach
  • Senior Support Worker: works as part of the management team to achieve the best possible outcomes for customers

Step into care programme

Step into Care is an established sector-based work programme helping people across the city gain employment into the social care industry.  If you are looking for your first role in social care, the Step into Care programme could be for you.  Find out more information here. 

Our colleagues say:

Lucy, Newly Qualified Mental Health Social Worker

“I feel like a valued member of the Mental Health Unit, where I’m part of a team that recognises and celebrates achievements and makes staff welfare a priority. I’m well supported to meet the demands of my role to the best of my ability. The council covers a large area, which offers me opportunities and room for progression, as well as caseloads characterised by diversity.”

Lauren, Senior Occupational Therapist

“I’m so proud when customers say we’ve made an invaluable difference to their lives by enabling their independence. Moments like that never leave you. They uplift and motivate you to work hard each day. It reminds you that you’re a valued employee, doing a vital role to help people in Leeds with any kind of illness or disability to live their lives to the full.”

Our colleagues say:

Liz, SkILs Manager, Reablement Service

“I’m a people person and I love to talk to people, find out about them and support them to achieve the things they want to in life. I have good colleagues – we work hard together and with health and third sector partners to keep people well. I’m supported by the council in my work and I’ve had the opportunity to progress through different roles after starting as a support worker.”

David, Senior Support Worker, Mental Health Accommodation

“I’ve always tried to help people whenever I can so after working in construction I went back to college and qualified as a person-centred counsellor. This opened new avenues for me, and when I see people who are struggling I think ‘surely there’s something to help them’ and that gives me motivation. Everyone works as part of a team and the work is so fulfilling.”