At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health needs through assessments and personalised care plans.
- Company: Join a passionate team at Kirklees Council, dedicated to mental health support.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a strong focus on wellbeing.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic role with a supportive team and varied daily tasks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your career in social work.
- Qualifications: A commitment to supporting mental health and social care needs.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are looking for individuals who are passionate, flexible, creative, and who are committed to working alongside people with mental illness and social care needs. We are a multi-disciplinary team, in partnership with South West Yorkshire Partnership Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, working collaboratively to develop high-quality, strength-based and recovery-focused packages of care and support. The team works in a Restorative and Trauma Informed way which focuses on skills development to promote recovery and independence. Our teams work with service users, their families, and carers to enable them to be independent, fulfilled and to live within their communities.
What We Offer
We are committed to providing our Social Workers with exceptional levels of support, from a comprehensive induction, through to continuous personal and professional development. We have a strong emphasis on your professional wellbeing, career progression and job satisfaction. We are committed to you feeling safe and supported in your practice and will help you to grow and develop through learning and development opportunities, which will enable you to continuously refresh and enhance your knowledge and skills. Social Work is not always an easy profession, and we understand the importance of taking care of ourselves. As a Kirklees Council Social Worker, you will be fully supported by a dedicated team to undertake these complex and demanding roles. We have a supportive management and senior leadership team who have an open-door approach to support our team members. We encourage sharing expertise through peer support forums which comprises both social care and health practitioners. The role will involve a blended approach to office and home working to meet the needs of the service and yourself. IT will be provided to ensure comfortable working environments both at home and in the office. As a local authority, we are committed to flexible working and always promote a healthy work-life balance.
What You Will Do
As a Social Worker in a Mental Health Team, you will be responsible for a caseload which will include completing assessments under the Care Act 2014, undertaking holistic strength-based assessments and commissioning personalised support plans. You will also act as a Care Coordinator working across a range of agencies to coordinate appropriate care and support, including creating care plans and undertaking risk assessments. You will be expected to provide a least restrictive and preventative approach to service users to avoid hospital admission to ensure people remain in their homes. You will provide an important and valued professional function working within a multi-disciplinary team with some of the most vulnerable people in society. Your professional expertise and approach will ensure individual needs and aspirations are always supported, risk is managed proportionately, and safeguarding is of paramount importance. You will be part of a dynamic, responsive and innovative team with varied tasks and no two days are the same.
Social Worker - Mental Health Team employer: Kirklees Council
Kirklees Council is an exceptional employer for Social Workers, particularly within the Mental Health Team, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment that prioritises professional wellbeing and career progression. With a strong emphasis on flexible working arrangements and a commitment to continuous personal development, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals in the community. The open-door management approach and peer support forums foster a culture of shared expertise and camaraderie, ensuring that every team member feels valued and supported.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Mental Health Team
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Kirklees Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Kirklees Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Kirklees Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Kirklees Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Mental Health Team
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Kirklees Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kirklees Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
