Social Worker First Response

Come and work in a supportive environment at Merton Council, where you’ll do a social work role that matters in a place where you matter. Our social workers do important jobs, and we’re focused on looking after you so you can look after others. Our people stay because we have a great culture, and staff tell us their colleagues are the best thing about working here.

You’ll work in a great team with knowledgeable, supportive managers and lots of recognition and reward. You’ll support people to live well in Merton, to maintain their independence, stay at home and improve their safety and quality of life. Merton Council is focused on prevention, and we work closely with our partners to enable people to live fulfilling and meaningful lives in their homes for longer. This could be through connecting people socially in their communities, adding adjustments such as handrails or receiving care at home. You are empowered to help people make the best decisions about their care. Everyone deserves to live with dignity and your invaluable role will change people's lives for the better every day.

The First Response team is based in the Civic Centre in Morden. We are a team of 17 comprising of qualified and unqualified, but experienced staff. We have a generally low turnover of staff but we currently have vacancies for 3 Qualified Social Workers due to staff who are moving on to fresh fields. We are the first point of contact for new people coming to Adult Social Care and we are here to offer individualised advice and information, try to find solutions to customers’ queries and issues and if necessary, take referrals. The approach is strengths based to build upon the ability of the customer and look to their systems of support.

You would be on Duty 2 days per week and would be required to work in the office on a 3rd day each week to ensure adequate support and integration with the team. The worker will also hold a caseload of approximately 10 - 12 cases which will include complex cases, Continuing Health Care assessments and safeguarding so it is important that the successful candidate has experience in these fields.

A career in social care at Merton Council offers great career progression and lots of learning and development opportunities. You will have access to a range of resources, platforms and programmes including: Care Knowledge, the Adult Social Care Development Academy, and the Developing Together Social Work Teaching Partnership. We have great transport links including our tram, making it an easy commute from surrounding boroughs, and central London in just 25 minutes.

Following a pay and benefits review, we now have one of the most progressive offers in outer London. We offer flexible working, employee support, wellbeing activities and active staff networks. We’re a borough on the rise, with big plans for the future and we want you to join us. Bring your ideas, passion and energy and help us put Merton on the map.