Adult Social Worker - 4 Years (Grade I)

Role Profile

Job Title
Social Worker Mental Health
Barnet Band and scale range
I
Reports to
Team Leader or Lead Practitioner
Service area
Adults and Communities

This post may operate in any one of the Mental Health teams which determine the day to day work priorities
Number of staff responsible for
1
Budget responsibility (£)

1. Purpose of Job:
· To provide a high standard of social work to users arising out of the Council’s duties and powers under legislation and in accordance with divisional and area policy, procedures, guidelines and the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers.
· Operating within a multidisciplinary environment to provide appropriate, professional Social Work support for adults with mental health and carers with a focus on enablement, recovery, meeting the social care outcomes as articulated in the Department of Health’s Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework, and the paper relating to social work in mental health from the college of social work.
· Within the context of an enablement approach ‘enablement approach’, refers to our aim to focus, wherever possible, on providing people with support that increases their skills and independence, as opposed to simply maintaining their condition.
and operating within an integrated service, to provide individualised, outcomes-led, personalised support, based on person centred, structured, individual assessments that inform the setting up and commissioning of appropriate enablement packages of support and meet the principles of mental health enablement model.
· Undertake the more complex assessments, packages of care and long term support for people who are eligible for services that require a professional/ specialist input.
2. Role-specific responsibilities
· To conduct or support individual assessments or facilitate self-assessments using the appropriate assessment tools and techniques in order to establish clear, relevant, proportionate, cost effective and appropriate options for the individual.
· Based on individual structured assessments and in line with the enablement approach, plan and set up appropriate personalised and outcome-led packages of support that maximise long-term independence and choice and minimise on-going support from health and social care
· Conduct risk assessments with adults and carers, in line with eligibility criteria and Mental Capacity legislation and refer to the appropriate professional such as an AMHP if the person is a risk to self or others this may require a Mental Health Act assessment to be carried out. You will then be expected to contribute to the assessment and provide the appropriate information.
· To conduct Mental Capacity Act/best interest assessments in line with statutory guidance and ensuring adults are provided with the opportunity to demonstrate capacity wherever possible.
· To manage an allocated caseload of clients in compliance with statutory requirements, Council policy, professional best practice and with regard for individual choice.
· To facilitate group work in line with the recovery and enablement model of mental health
· Liaise with, establish and maintain effective working relationships with other local services, specialist teams, Mental Health Trust, NHS Barnet, Hospital Trusts and the 3rd sector relevant to the needs of the service users in order to deliver a holistic and seamless service to the client.
· To attend service user forums and contribute to the engagement forums
· To identify when an individual has a duel diagnosis and coordinate the assessment, a range of professionals and the support plan to take in to account the differing needs.
· Value and encourage the contribution of service users and their advocates, relatives, carers and support workers where appropriate, to ensure that they are engaged in the assessment, support and review process. Promote self- assessment.
· Maintain a thorough understanding of available local provision and make appropriate recommendations and action referrals to other specialist teams and providers.
· Support, promote and calculate personalised budgets and understand the principle of direct payments and self-funding to ensure that clients are supported in exercising choice based on assessed risk and expected outcomes. Support clients in navigating through the appropriate procedures.
· Work with the Procurement Brokers to procure support plans including equipment and adaptations and to approach charities and other organisation for financial support if appropriate.
· Act as “trusted assessors” for defined areas of the support plan subject to appropriate training and competency, in line with the objective of reducing case handovers.
· Chair and participate in reviews and meetings attended by users as well as by colleagues and representatives of other agencies, e.g. Mental Health Trust, NHS Barnet, Hospital Trusts, 3rd sector, police, and other emergency services.
· Monitor and carry out timely, regular and frequent reviews of people’s support plans in compliance with service targets.
· Represent the service at external meetings; prepare papers, draft and present statements and reports as required.
· Take responsibility for the administrative processes associated with dealing with cases in accordance with service procedures, standards and targets.
· Maintain up to date, accurate and timely records of communication, decisions, actions and outcomes relating to cases in line with the processes, standards and systems of the Council.
· Take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of people who come into contact with the service, in full compliance with Barnet procedures and that the principles are embedded in all practices, advice, decisions and support associated with this role. To ensure that the Safeguarding policy and procedures are understood and adhered to, undertaking enquiries in line with training and guidance, as required.
· Where appropriately trained and competent, to act as a Best Interest Assessor in relation to assessments for Authorisations under the Deprivation of Liberty safeguards as required.
· To act as lead in a relevant specialist area relating to the client group where appropriate, (such as self -harm, autism/MH, link for children services, employment, training).
· Ensure compliance with policies and procedures of Adult Social Services, and those of any partner agencies, are followed, and that the service is always delivered in accordance with professional standards, policy and practice and the relevant statutory and regulatory frameworks.
· Assist with monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the service and contribute to the development of service improvements through participation and involvement in local and central team meetings, supervision, training, conferences and other forums.
· Work flexibly and respond positively to changing business and client needs and carry out any other duties within the scope of the nature and grade of the post, as directed by the line manager.
· Understand the budgetary framework and context of the role to ensure that the service delivers value for money and cost effective solutions and options within defined budgetary constraints.
· Advise the team manager on a regular basis of casework plans and developments and to seek authorisation in line with divisional delegated powers.
· Deliver a person-centred, outcome focused service to shared objectives ensuring people are offered:
– easy and fast access
– choice and control over flexible service options
– support in making informed decisions
– control over the appropriate risks of care packages
– beneficial changes to reflect changing circumstances and preferences
3. Key accountabilities
· To provide supervision to Assessment and Enablement Officers.
· To support other members of the team as required.
· Provide professional support to staff within and across teams and participate in delivering training/development sessions in area of expertise.
· To be responsible for Continual Professional Development (CPD)_in order to remain professional registration.
4. Promotion of Corporate Values
· To ensure that customer care is maintained to the agreed standards according to the Council’s values.
· To ensure that a high level of confidentiality is maintained in all aspects of work.
5. Flexibility
· The jobholder may be required to carry out other reasonable duties commensurate with the grade, as requested by line manager.
· This job description is not exhaustive and may change as the post or the needs of the Council develop. Such changes will be subject to consultation between the post holder and their manager and, if necessary, further job evaluation.
6. Commitment to Equality
· Deliver the Council’s commitment to equality of opportunity through actively promoting equality and diversity in the work place and in the services delivered.
· Ensure that the needs of all people accessing our service are met, sensitive to gender, race, disability, creed, belief and sexual orientation. Celebrate diversity and challenge stereotyping, prejudice and unlawful discrimination in the delivery of the service.
PERSON SPECIFICATION

Service:
Adults and Communities Mental Health Services
Location:
Various
Job Title:
Social Worker
Grade:
I
Post No.:

Reports to:
Team Leader or Lead Practitioner

Knowledge, training and experience
Essential/Desirable
Criteria
Qualifications
E
Registered as Social Worker with the General Social Care Council
CQSW/ DipSW or equivalent qualification
Training in relevant legislation appropriate to client group Training in safeguarding of vulnerable adults
Training in the Mental Health Act
D
Accredited Best Interest Assessor
Experience
E
D
Relevant experience of operating effectively as a practicing Social Worker with a similar client group.
Understanding and experience of operating with a comprehensive assessment framework including self- assessment.
Experience of working with people with complex mental health issues
Experience of preparing clear and accurate correspondence, reports and other written documentation.
Understanding and experience of working with people with a mental health issue within a care environment
Experience of working with people within a social care model of mental health and working with health professionals to meet the medical, physical needs of individuals
Record of high performance in successfully delivering a customer focused service to demanding targets and objectives.
Experience of actively and effectively participating in cross-functional networks and local groups.

Experience of group working
D
Support, understand and ability to apply the enablement approach as a means of promoting independence.
Experience of supervising and supporting staff

Knowledge, Competencies and Special aptitudes relevant to job
E
Sound, practical understanding of relevant legislation (such as the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and the Community Care Act), policies and processes necessary to deliver complex services to adults with mental health issues.
Sound understanding of social care needs of adults with mental health within the context of the job
Ability and knowledge to represent the Council at external meetings in a professional and competent manner
Highly self-motivated with the ability to work effectively on own initiative to challenging deadlines and work demands.
Ability to make sound decisions based on information gathered to meet agreed outcomes and possess the judgement to seek advice where required.
Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with service users, their families ,carers and advocates, colleagues, external organisations
Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a wider, multidisciplinary team to deliver to common objectives.
Understanding of the national and local influences on the organisation and partner organisations and their implications on the service area
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex issues clearly, effectively, accurately and appropriately to members of the public, colleagues and senior management.
Good understanding of National Eligibility framework, Mental Health Act, ability to advise clients on personalised budgets, direct payments and self-funding.
Ability to contribute to service developments in a culture of continuous improvement and responsiveness to change
Ability to contribute to the development and maintenance of IT data and document systems
Problem solving and analytical skills with a creative, flexible and sensitive approach that delivers a personalised and user led outcomes based solution.
Commitment and ability to promote and safeguard the welfare of vulnerable adults
Understanding of and ability to apply the principles of risk management in the context of the job and to take the

appropriate action if someone is in crisis and requires a Mental Health Act assessment.
To be able to deal with situations of conflict and manage difficult conversations with service users, families and other professionals.
Ability to work flexibly and embrace mobile working to meet the needs of the service.
D E
Understanding of and ability to apply the Service’s commissioning agenda
Specialist area of knowledge within Social Work field.
Support, understand and ability to apply the enablement approach as a means of promoting independence for people with a mental health issue.
Sound, practical understanding of relevant legislation (such as the Mental Capacity Act and the Community Care Act), Mental Health Act, policies and processes necessary to deliver complex services to vulnerable adults.
Sound understanding of social care needs of adults with a mental health within the context of the job role
Sound, practical understanding of relevant legislation (such as the Mental Capacity Act and the Community Care Act), Mental Health Act, policies and processes necessary to deliver complex services to vulnerable adults.
Sound understanding of social care needs of adults with a mental health within the context of the job role
Commitment to Council’s Aims and Values
E
Champions a culture that values equality and diversity, and ensures these are built into the delivery of services
Understanding of and ability to work within and promote the principles of the Corporate Plan and service priorities.

Social workers to work in the Adult MASH team, completing section 42 and 9 assessments, risk assessing and use of MCA 2005