Social Worker - Community Mental Health Recovery & Wellbeing, Brentwood

This position is open to Experienced and Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW). The starting salary for NQSWs is £34,902 per annum, rising to £37,185 per annum upon successful completion of the ASYE programme.

Why Join Us?

With us, you can achieve more - for yourself as well as the vulnerable adults you work to support. We’re always looking for new ways to deliver even better services; Social Workers 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 within Essex County Council (ECC) Adult Social Care services. Whatever you want to achieve in your social care career, you can do it here.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join mental health social work in our Partnership organisation that promotes the standards for Employers of Social Work and subscribes to the Department of Health's Social Work for Better Mental Health programme, and the Think Ahead initiative. You will work at the forefront of our community mental health treatment teams providing EPUT's secondary mental health services.

As a Social Worker, you will play a key part in providing social care service and exemplar social work practice within the Recovery Wellbeing Community Mental Health Team, ensuring that excellence of service is provided across the department. You will contribute to change management, concluding ECC's transformation and ensuring it is configured for continuous improvement adhering to the Key Performance Indicators as provided by ECC under the Section 75 partnership agreement.

The post requires an individual with a high degree of flexibility and creativity and a positive, forward-thinking attitude with experience of working within a MDT and Mental Health. You need to have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, be proactive in your approach to tasks and comfortable working in a multi-disciplinary environment. The team consists of multiple disciplines, including existing social workers, nursing, psychology, OT and psychiatry, along with other associated professionals. All of this will provide you the opportunity to gain invaluable experience to further enhance your career.

The team is established and cohesive and able to provide an environment that can nurture Social Workers undertaking their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).

About You

To apply you should be a qualified social worker with a current Social Work England registration. You’ll bring social work experience, evidence of continuing professional development, and capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards. In addition, you will bring experience of mental health and MDT working along with sound knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and Care Act.

As a subject matter expert in relevant professional practice, you should have a comprehensive understanding of current legislation, regulations, and guidance. With experience of chairing meetings involving clients, family members, carers, and other multi-agency professionals, we’re looking for your ability to develop strong relationships with partner agencies and the local community to provide a supportive framework for vulnerable adults.

You’ll also bring:

• Evidence of continuing 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.

This role involves travelling around Essex and beyond. A driving licence and car - or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means - is essential.

What We Offer

We’ll support you to be your best…

• Training and development to empower you from our award-winning Essex Social Care Academy.
• Flexible working options.
• Support with employee wellbeing and counselling.
• Lease Car scheme.
• Up to £8000 for relocation.
• Life assurance of three times annual salary.
• Payment of professional fees for approved professions.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Volunteering leave.
• 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising with service.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - access to free and confidential information, support, and guidance from a team of highly qualified professionals.
• Employee Networks - communities to support you, connect you and help influence change at ECC.

*T&Cs Apply.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone’s Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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