Social Worker, Mental Health

£26k - £37k per annum

Northumberland County Council is seeking a qualified Social Worker to join their team. Candidates who meet the required qualifications, including those in need of sponsorship, are encouraged to apply.

Northumberland County Council, a unitary authority in North East England, employs around 12,500 staff members. Known for its stunning landscapes and rich history, Northumberland offers an excellent work-life balance.

With diverse career opportunities in sectors such as business, regeneration, tourism, leisure, retail, and health, Northumberland provides a supportive environment for both professional growth and personal fulfillment.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Social Worker to join our enthusiastic Home Safe Hospital Discharge Service working at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital. The post will be 37 hours per week on a permanent contract basis.

You will work alongside and in partnership with individuals, families, and carers using a range of interpersonal and communication skills to comprehensively assess complex psychosocial needs, set objectives, develop care plans, and deliver appropriate interventions to facilitate safe hospital discharges. You will complete Urgent Needs Assessments, Mental Capacity Assessments, and collaborate with a range of external services to access any resources required to meet the care and support needs you have identified.

As you work to provide a comprehensive assessment, you will benefit from a good balance of autonomy and support. You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of your caseload but will have regular supervision and the full support of your Team Manager.

It is essential that you have a clear understanding of the Care Act and the Local Authorities' statutory duties. We are committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment.

• Carry a complex mixed caseload of service users in a variety of circumstances.
• Aim to achieve good outcomes for service users and advocate on their behalf.
• Assess service users and their carers; devise plans that address identified needs.
• Assess and manage risk utilizing an evidence-based approach.
• Monitor, review, and update plans effectively.
• Use social work tools, practice, and research to underpin interventions.
• Promote service users returning home from hospital, preventing carer/family breakdown.
• Work directly with service users and their families at the point of crisis, ensuring the welfare of the service user is promoted.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with individual service users, groups, families, and multi-agency partners.
• Understand and apply the locally agreed thresholds for intervention, stepping cases ‘up’ and ‘down’ as appropriate.
• Case manage and record in accordance with statutory agency requirements.
• Use ICT systems competently and effectively.

• Degree in Social Work, Dip SW, CQSW, CSS.
• Completed Assessed Supported Year Employment.
• Two years Whole Time equivalent PQ experience of working with a relevant client group (having carried a full caseload).
• Current Social Work England Registration.
• Up-to-date understanding of key issues and relevant theoretical background facing professional Adult social workers, particularly related to Safeguarding Adults and Mental Capacity.
• Substantial experience of working with Adults.
• Experience of Safeguarding Adults.
• Experience of team working.
• Experience of positive decision making.
• Ability to form positive relationships with service users and colleagues.
• Demonstrable risk assessment and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with service users and other professionals.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity and an understanding of emotional difficulties and addressing challenging behavior of service users.
• Knowledge of Safeguarding Children and Adults.
• Ability to undertake holistic assessments.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and have strategies to cope with own stressors.
• Organizational skills.
• Ability to operate within a variety of health and social…