Senior Social Worker

Are you looking for a job that challenges your social work practice and provides the opportunity to bring positive change to people’s lives? Our experienced teams have strong connections with the local community and the people and the families they support. We invest in building the strong multidisciplinary partnerships needed to get the right results.

Your role and responsibilities

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Suffolk County Council (SCC) ASC Mental Health East Team and Mental Health South Team.

We are responsible for meeting the Care Act needs of adults in Suffolk who are also supported by secondary mental health services. This includes supporting hospital discharges, carrying out Care Act assessments in the community, and completing safeguarding enquiries. As part of this role, you will also work within the frameworks of the Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Act.

With Suffolk, you can enjoy a great career for yourself and support vulnerable adults. We’re always looking for new ways to deliver even better services. Social Workers working with Suffolk County Council play an integral role in our preventative approach to Social Care. We encourage our multi-disciplinary teams to share their ideas and experience. We work together to get things done. Bring your positive, proactive attitude and we’ll empower you to make the most of your experience.

Senior Social Workers are passionate in demonstrating expert and effective practice in complex situations. Managing your own complex caseload, as well as supporting your colleagues with theirs, you’ll be a source of specialist advice and enable the mitigation of high levels of risk. You’ll also bring professional expertise to contribute to the development of practice standards. You will have experience in developing strong working relationships with partners, other agencies, and the voluntary sector to deliver improved outcomes.

You will need

You’ll bring significant experience of social work, modelling good practice and providing advice and guidance in complex situations. We’re also looking for your ability to mentor both newly qualified and experienced team members. As, a subject matter expert in relevant professional practice, you should have a comprehensive understanding of current legislation, regulations, and guidance.

You’ll also need:

• to be a qualified, registered social worker and have completed your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)

• evidence of 2 years’ continued professional development and capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards

• an in-depth understanding of the financial implications of commissioned care packages

• the ability to make clear decisions, to highlight and limit potential risks associated with intervention.

• valid driving licence and access to personal transport.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx), if you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

Our staff are our greatest asset and with you in our team, we can achieve the authority’s priorities of enabling everyone to live long, healthy, fulfilling lives whilst safeguarding the most vulnerable people in Suffolk. All our staff are provided with Information Technology and devices to allow more flexibility in the role and access to systems like the LAS (LiquidLogic Adults’ System) when working with clients.

We work to a strength-based practice model and would encourage you to apply for our roles if you think you have the same values so we can continue with this approach to help empower Suffolk residents.

In Suffolk, we’re transforming how we deliver Adult Social Care through our "People at the Heart of Care" programme. This puts people at the centre of their own care choices and decisions, from initial advice to assessments and self-commissioning. Find out about our plans to transform Adult Social Care, by putting people at the heart of care (suffolk.gov.uk).

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report

Disability Confident

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.

£40,215 – £45,595 per annum (pro rata for part time)

• Retention payments for 2, 3 and 5 years service of £1,000, £1,500 and £2,000

• 37 hours per week – Flexible working options available

• Permanent

• 2 posts: 1 Mental Health East 1 Mental Health South, This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days

membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits

performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase

training and encouragement to expand your knowledge

a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation

diverse and active staff networks

flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

Mental Health East: Please contact Claire Mulley for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 263664 or emailing claire.mulley@suffolk.gov.uk

Mental Health South: Please contact Libby Clark. You can reach them by calling 01473264127 or emailing libby.clark@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).

Step 2 – Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 – Upload a supporting statement indicating how you meet each of the criteria in the ‘Person Profile’ section of the JPP.

• You should use the Supporting Statement template.

• Please use Arial font size 11 and keep your statement to a maximum of two sides of A4.

Step 4 – Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. If you would like an adjustment to this process due to a disability, please contact us at 03456 014412 or recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk, If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).