Deputy Team Manager - Discharge to Assess

This is a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity up to April 2027.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Discharge to Assess team in South Essex. As Deputy Team Manager within the team, you'll play a pivotal role in a dynamic, fast-paced environment that operates seven days a week, 52 weeks a year to ensure timely and safe hospital discharges.

Our service runs from 8:00am-6:30pm (8:00am-5:30pm weekends and bank holidays), providing statutory Social Care and Social Work services for people aged 18+ who have been admitted to or discharged from acute or rehabilitative health settings. You will be required to work one weekend in six and a share of bank holidays for which you will receive a 6% flat rate allowance in addition to the basic annual salary.

You’ll work at the heart of an established multi-disciplinary partnership, collaborating to manage patient flow and improve outcomes for people ready to leave hospital. This role is not just about discharge, it's about proactive, responsive intervention to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and support recovery in the community.

As a Deputy Team Manager you will be supporting the development of practice, skills and knowledge with the Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Community Support Workers within the team.

You will be focussed on allocating cases to social workers and community support workers and will also be responsible for deputising for the Team manager, attending various meetings and sharing responsibility in managing the performance of the Team. You will also be expected to supervise some of the workers in the team and will need to be very robust with managing information and statistical information.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Providing leadership and support across a team of professionals to deliver a high-quality service with positive outcomes which enables people to live healthily and independently.
• Supporting the development of individuals with the team.
• Delivering expertise and professional knowledge to provide advice and guidance for complex cases in line with legislative and organisational standards.
• Providing an escalation point for complaints and other feedback from service users in accordance with policy, in a way that fosters positive relationships.
• Implementing effective approaches to integrated working with partners, communities and the voluntary sector to achieve successful outcomes for service users.

• Qualified and experienced Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
• Strong leadership and behavioural skills with the ability to forge a highly performing and motivated team that delivers the best outcomes for those using our services.
• Proven experience of developing individuals to meet professional standards and operate confidently to deliver the best solutions for the citizens of Essex.
• Experience of leading change in a complex environment, and ensuring best practice is delivered within financial constraints.
• Ability to develop strong and collaborative relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community.
• The ability to make clear decisions, to highlight and limit potential risks associated with intervention.
• Significant experience within an adult social care setting, ideally with previous management experience.
• Practice Educator, AMHP or BIA qualified.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards.

This role involves travelling around Essex and beyond. A driving licence and car - or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means - is essential.

In June 2025, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated our Adult Social Care services as "Good" with a score of 73%.

"The local authority had a good structure and processes in place to enable people to be supported successfully, and support people to remain independent and live healthy lives. The workforce was passionate about supporting people to achieve these outcomes and the local authority had good knowledge of their area, the people living there and the demographics."

You can read the full report on the CQC website here.

Our teams are busy but warm, friendly and supportive. We take your career just as seriously as you do, and we have a continuing professional development offer that's second to none.

We welcome diversity because it makes us grow and we're determined to become a fully inclusive and an anti‑racist organisation.

We'll support you to be your best and will offer:

• Ongoing opportunities for continuing professional development
• Flexible working options
• Employee wellbeing and counselling
• Lease Car scheme
• Life assurance of three times annual salary
• Local Government Pension Scheme. View Key Facts and FAQ's about the LGPS.
• Volunteering leave
• 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising with service
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - access to free and confidential information,…