Social Care Specialist

This role is offered on a fixed term/secondment basis for 12 months. The hours are part-time, 18.75 hours per week.

Internal applicants who wish to be considered for a secondment opportunity should discuss with their line manager the suitability of a possible secondment.

Following an internal secondment opportunity, we are seeking a qualified social worker registered with SWE to join the GHC social care service.

Acting as a social care specialist, you will be overseeing the GHC social care offer to the West locality, primarily covering services based in Gloucester and the Forest of Dean. You will provide supervision, guidance, and support to social workers and the wider GHC MH teams in the West locality, as well as promote and develop relationships with Adult Social Care locality teams and ICB colleagues.

An understanding of the ongoing priorities within Adult Social Care and the Community Mental Health Transformation programme, as well as awareness of local services, is required.

You will participate in the ongoing recruitment, retention, and development of the Mental Health social care workforce, including working with SW apprenticeships, undergraduate and Masters students, and the ASYE programme.

The postholder will be a visible leader, confident in identifying areas for development and opportunities, with the ability to manage change. Willingness, enthusiasm, and self-reflection are essential.

The role requires full-time hours and can be based at either Pullman Place or Invista. We offer a supportive and engaging team environment with opportunities for personal and professional development.

Responsibilities include:

1. Ensuring Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Trust mental health community care services run smoothly, contributing to resource and funding management.
2. Providing expert mental health social work practice.
3. Offering consultation, supervision, and practice guidance to social workers, managers, and practitioners in areas including Social Care, The Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, and Equality and Human Rights.
4. Assisting in the development of voluntary and community services locally.
5. Working within a designated geographical area, with the flexibility to cover beyond this boundary as part of an integrated service.

Qualified candidates may also work as an Approved Mental Health Professional under a local authority contract.

The qualification, training, and experience requirements are detailed in the Job Description/Person Specification.

We have a dedicated workforce of over 5,000 colleagues across 55 sites and in people\’s homes, committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming workplace.

About Us

Our staff surveys and engagement initiatives show high staff satisfaction, with 72% recommending us as a place to work and 76% endorsing our care quality. Our focus remains on continuous improvement and making GHC a Great Place to Work, with top-quartile survey performance.

Contact

For more information or informal visits, contact:

• Name: Amy Alexander
• Job Title: Social Care Lead
• Email: amy.alexander@ghc.nhs.uk
• Phone: 0300 421 4427 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm)

Arrange a call with Amy\’s P.A., Sarah-Jane Joy, at 0300 421 4429.

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