At a Glance
- Tasks: Make a real difference in diverse communities as a Social Worker in Lewisham.
- Company: Join Lewisham Council, a proud Borough of Sanctuary championing rights for all.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and extensive professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a commitment to inclusivity and collaboration.
- Why this job: Empower vulnerable adults and support their journey to well-being and independence.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with strong assessment and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 48000 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities. We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK's first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
Qualified Social Worker Opportunities in Lewisham. We have opportunities in the following teams, so if you are a social worker or occupational therapist follow the links below to learn more about the service area and to access the job description and person specification.
- Social Worker - Neighbourhood Teams: The main purpose of this job is to work as a case management social worker to assess the needs of vulnerable adults and their carers, and support them to arrange services to meet their needs. You will have strong adult social care assessment skills that are informed by strength based practice, experience and knowledge of the Care Act (2014), Mental Capacity Act and adult safeguarding processes.
- Social Worker - Psychological Medicine and Older Adults Team (PMOA): Social Workers are needed in the PMOA Team to provide a range of social care assessments for older people with severe and complex mental health needs, as well as services for adults of all ages who have dementia. This work is undertaken in partnership with South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation Trust and requires a working knowledge of the Mental Health Act (1983), Care Act and Mental Capacity Act.
- Social Worker - Gateway: Social workers in the Gateway provide the initial point of contact for new referrals concerning vulnerable individuals. They screen and prioritise incoming requests, gathering essential information and signposting to appropriate services. Essential knowledge includes referral criteria for various services, local community resources, and effective communication strategies.
- Social Worker - MASH: Social workers in Adult MASH provide a multi-agency response to safeguarding vulnerable adults. They triage and assess concerns, sharing information between social care, police, and health to make joint protection decisions. Essential knowledge includes the Care Act (2014), Mental Capacity Act (2005), and safeguarding processes.
- Social Worker - Transitions Team: The Transitions Service requires experienced social workers to support young adults, aged 18-25, with learning disabilities and/or Autism as they move into adulthood. This involves complex case work and support planning, including Mental Capacity Assessments and safeguarding to promote positive risk-taking and person-centred decision making.
- Social Worker - AWLD & Autism Team: The Adults with Learning Disability and Autism Team is seeking social workers to drive their innovative and continuously improving service. You'll deliver person-centred support across diverse settings, handling complex casework including Mental Capacity Assessments, court work, and safeguarding.
- Social Worker - Complex Hospital Discharge Team: We are seeking qualified and experienced Hospital social workers to join our dynamic hospital discharge team. You'll provide crucial support to patients, ensuring timely, safe, and person-centred transitions of care.
- Social Worker - Discharge to Assess / Enablement SW Team: We have social work vacancies in our Discharge to Assess (D2A) service. You'll work in a multi-disciplinary team, conducting holistic assessments and developing support plans for adults returning home after a period of hospital admission.
- Mental Health Social Worker / Approved Mental Health Practitioner (AMHP) - Adult Mental Health Services: Our integrated mental health services seek social workers to support working-age adults with serious mental health conditions. You'll assess needs under the Care Act (2014), Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act (2005); create person-centred care plans; provide interventions, and coordinate care as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Social Worker - Placement Review Team: The purpose of the Placement Review Team is to regularly review care and support arrangements, particularly for individuals placed in residential or nursing homes. We need competent social workers with practice strengths pertaining to the Care Act (2014), Mental Capacity Act and experience of review process and safeguarding practice.
About Adult Social Care in Lewisham: This is an exciting time to join Lewisham Adult Social Care. Whether you are at an early stage in your career or a more experienced practitioner looking for a change, we have the right job for you. Recently, Lewisham Adult Social Care completed a service restructure to better support our residents and our staff.
We have strengthened our Leadership Teams, refreshed and consolidated our career pathways and enabled better interactions between services. In Lewisham, we invest in and value our staff, and that’s why so many of our Social Workers and Occupational Therapists choose the stability that we offer and build their careers with us.
Our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) offer is the best you are likely to get anywhere. We have a training matrix matched to the regulatory requirements of social workers and occupational therapists and promote the uptake of specialist training and post-qualifying courses.
The interface between social work and occupational therapy in Lewisham is also worthy of note, as we have avoided the unhelpful ASC splits that are features of other Councils. As colleagues, we take pride in our collective achievements, complement one another's work and are supportive and respectful of our unique skills and what we bring to local people.
Perhaps the most important aspect of our 'offer' is enshrined in the Lewisham Values: to be Ambitious; to be Inclusive; to be Collaborative; to be Accountable; and to be Trustworthy. This would be our commitment if you chose to work for us and would also be our expectation of you.
If these words resonate, we would like to hear from you.
Location: The job is primarily based on Lewisham Sites including the hospital but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
Special conditions: Relevant Social Work qualification is needed. Qualified and Registered Social Worker. The job is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Diversity: Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert.
Social Worker employer: Borough of Lewisham
The Borough of Lewisham is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the children they serve. With excellent training opportunities and a strong emphasis on collaboration, staff are empowered to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community. Working in Lewisham not only provides a chance to contribute to service development but also fosters a sense of belonging through various supportive networks.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Lewisham's values and the specific teams you're interested in. Tailor your responses to show how your skills align with their mission of supporting diverse communities and vulnerable adults.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable discussing your experience with the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and safeguarding processes. The more confident you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the Lewisham team and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description. Make sure you understand what we're looking for in a candidate and how your skills align with the role. This will help you tailor your application to stand out!
Showcase Your Experience:When writing your supporting statement, highlight your relevant experience and skills. Use specific examples that demonstrate your understanding of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and any other key areas mentioned in the job description. We want to see how you can make a difference!
Be Person-Centred:Remember, this role is all about supporting vulnerable adults. Make sure your application reflects a person-centred approach. Talk about how you've worked collaboratively with individuals and teams to promote well-being and positive outcomes.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you'll find all the necessary information and resources to help you along the way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Lewisham
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the Care Act (2014), Mental Capacity Act, and relevant safeguarding processes. Being able to discuss these frameworks confidently will show that you understand the legal context of social work and can apply it in practice.
✨Showcase Your Strengths
Prepare examples of how you've used strength-based approaches in your previous roles. Highlight specific cases where you've successfully assessed needs and arranged services for vulnerable adults, as this aligns with the job's focus on person-centred care.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is key in social work. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex casework or inter-agency collaboration. This will demonstrate your ability to work in a high-volume environment and manage multiple stakeholders.
✨Embrace the Values
Understand and embody Lewisham's values: Ambitious, Inclusive, Collaborative, Accountable, and Trustworthy. Be ready to discuss how these values resonate with your own professional philosophy and how you can contribute to fostering a supportive team culture.
