Senior Social Worker

To deliver specialist social work service for people who are Deaf BSL, hard of hearing, deafened, Deafblind and their family/carers.

To work in partnership with people and carers to assess needs, identify outcomes and plan support to meet these.

To be the lead contact for partner agencies sharing professional knowledge and expertise in specialist social work advice.

To provide supervision and line management to a small team including Social Workers and Social Care Assistants.

Principle Accountabilities:

To deliver a person-centred, strength based, service for those who are Deaf BSL, hard of hearing, deafened, Deafblind and their family/carers, support networks and other professionals.

To complete and oversee comprehensive specialist assessments (including risk assessments) of needs, planning towards a person’s identified outcomes.

To provide support that develops and/or maintains communication, safety and promotes independence.

To assist in the explanation of the charging policy, including gathering information to calculate contributions or payment.

To signpost to advocacy services ensuring access is available whenever necessary, appropriate, or requested.

To work in partnership with internal and external professionals to deliver a holistic service provision.

To participate in the duty cover providing appropriate and timely response to those in crisis and coordinating interventions to mitigate risk.

To provide appropriate information, advice, and support in relation to a person’s deafness, and how this is affecting their life direct to the person, their family/carers and to professional partners.

To coordinate, review and allocate referrals across the support team.

Prevent, detect, and respond to safeguarding concerns, implementing safeguarding policies and procedures for people who may be/are at risk.

To provide regular supervision to a social worker and social care assistant/s.

To support the team development through shared learning, reflection practice, and continuous professional development (CPD) delivering best practice.

Ensure appropriate and timely record keeping enabling effective communication and professional accountability.

Contribute towards monitoring and evaluation, including both quantitative and qualitative data collection.

To adhere to the financial controls for the provision of equipment to people we support.

To adhere to the organisation health and safety policies including the lone working policy and procedures.

· To participate positively

with team learning, reflection, and continuous professional development (CPD) to maintain professional registration.

· Team and cross team activities and bespoke projects

· Regular supervision with your line manager, training, and team/organisational meetings

· Engage and support the charities fundraising activities and shared learning opportunities.

· Comply with all operational policies and procedures related to your role including equality policy.

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and may be subject to change. The post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Work Context

Surrey County Council Commission Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey to deliver the Combined Sensory Services Contract. We work in partnership with Adult Social Care to provide specialist support to those with sensory impairment and the Deaf community across all of Surrey.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

Strategic Management/Operational Service Planning/Forward Planning

Understanding the overall aims and objectives of the team and how these contribute to Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey’s strategic plan. Planning their work to meet agreed targets, standards, and service user needs. Working within agreed procedures to achieve team and personal objectives. Thinking ahead and identifying where and how their work impacts on the work of the team.

Inspiration

Valuing and supporting others.

Making things happen

Achieving agreed goals and targets. Managing their own time and available resources effectively. Collaborating with others to make things happen.

Communication

Communicating with all people in a positive, accessible, timely and clear manner. Listening actively, demonstrating their understanding of communications they receive and responding to them appropriately. Listening to the other person’s point of view.

Developing Others/Team Development

Sharing their knowledge and skills with others. Supporting others in their development and contributing positively to team development.

Managing Change/Embracing Change

Seeking ways to continuously improve their own performance. Suggesting where improvements in service could be made. Is open to new ways of doing things. Adapting positively to changes and feeding back the impact of changes to their manager, where appropriate.

Personal Impact

Presenting themselves effectively. Striving to develop the competencies they require to do their job. Acting with integrity and in line with the principles of equal opportunities. Respecting the opinion and expertise of others.

Customer Focus

Building good professional relationships with service users. Endeavouring to understand what the service user wants and being responsive to their needs. Responds positively to service user feedback.

Use of Technology and Management of Remote Teams

Using relevant technology proactively and effectively to do their job and, wherever possible, to deliver services. Supporting and enabling team members to do the same.

You would be joining a highly supportive and compassionate team, passionate about promoting assessable services for Deaf and Deafblind people in Surrey.

Commitment to person centred working, excellent communication and IT skills, the ability to work flexibly, as part of a team, collaborate effectively with others, and an enthusiastic ‘can do’ approach are essential.

You must be a Registered Qualified Social Worker with an up-to-date registration. If you are not fluent in BSL, we will be supporting you with learning BSL and you will be able to access interpreters. We welcome registered qualified social workers applications from the Deaf Community who can sign up to BSL level 2., · Experience and qualifications in Social Work, CQSW, DipSW, BA Hons, MA or equivalent.

· Qualified Registered social worker – registered with Social Work England

· Excellent communication skills with people who are Deaf BSL, hard of hearing, deafened, Deafblind and their family/carers in their chosen communication method e.g. using sign language, clear speech, Esendex, SMS text, skype/Facetime.

· Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of best practice of supporting people who are Deaf BSL, hard of hearing, deafened, Deafblind and their families and carers.

· Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the relevant legislative framework in supporting people with sensory loss, including the Care Act, Safeguarding etc.

· Experience of providing supervision to a support workers/ student.

· Have a working knowledge and application of the social model of disability.

· Have a working knowledge of relevant external agencies for people who are Deaf BSL, hard of hearing, deafened, Deafblind and their families and carers.

· Competent with the use of databases and Microsoft Office Packages.

· Ability to communicate in British Sign Language skills – BSL level 2 or above is desirable (or the willingness to learn)

Working Environment

Office based. Able to travel across the county and deliver a service in different environments suitable for the task. For example, in a person’s homes, care home, hospital, Deaf Café, community hub., * Social care: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (preferred)

• Annual leave

• Company pension

• Free flu jabs

• Free parking

• Health & wellbeing programme

• On-site parking

• Sick pay, * A generous annual leave allowance (full time annual leave entitlement is 28 days per annum, plus bank holidays).

• Investment in your development, with training opportunities available.

• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme.

• Pension contributions matched up to 6% using the Pensions Trust.

• Annual flu vaccinations and an eye test every two years with a contribution towards work related glasses.

• Wide range of training opportunities suitable for your role.

• A growing range of other staff benefits.

• A fun and friendly team!

A Disclosure and Barring Service will be required which we can arrange.

Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey complies with auto enrolment, we match contributions up to 6%. using the Pensions Trust.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Contract length: 12 months

Pay: £40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension

• Free parking

• Health & wellbeing programme

• On-site parking

• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday