At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct assessments and support individuals in mental health crises with empathy and critical thinking.
- Company: Join Lancashire County Council's innovative Mental Health Service team.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 32 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, diverse workplace, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be registered with Social Work England or equivalent; experience in mental health preferred.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
Overview
Salary: £40,777 - £46,142 per annum • Permanent • Full time, 37 hours per week • Mental Health Service • County Hall, Preston (Lancashire)
Location: Lancashire (county wide)
Role: Dynamic, qualified Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) in Lancashire County Council's Mental Health Service. As a crucial part of our 24-hour service, you will work with confidence and autonomy, utilising your expertise in the Mental Health Act and allied legislation. Operating on flexible shift patterns from 7 am to 8 pm, including one weekend each month, you will conduct assessments, support social care processes and collaborate with internal and external professionals, such as health, police, courts, and housing, ensuring a coordinated response to individual needs. This fast-paced role involves working with all age groups experiencing mental health crises who require statutory interventions, at times with short notice.
Our Values:
- Empathy & Resilience: You will be involved with statutory Mental Health Act assessments where you will need a high level of empathy, compassion and understanding for individuals in mental health crisis.
- Critical Thinking: You will have a range of skills and be able to co-ordinate assessments and act autonomously within a statutory framework.
Living Better Lives in Lancashire: This is a hugely exciting time for us. We’ve created Living Better Lives in Lancashire – our new strength-based vision for social care. We’re driving forward innovative, meaningful, and strengths-based practice that will make a difference to our communities and we need new social workers and Approved Mental Health Professionals to help us achieve our vision.
Why Join Us:
- We offer up to 32 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, and 2 additional statutory days during the festive season. You can also purchase additional leave.
- Our generous Local Authority Pension Scheme.
- Enhanced rates of pay for Bank Holiday and shift work.
- Excellent induction and ongoing support for your career and professional development.
- We’ll pay for any training and registration fees you need to do your job.
- A Wellbeing Support Programme for you and your family.
- You’ll get access to dozens of benefits including discounts on shopping, entertainment, gym memberships, holidays, and more.
- We embrace diversity and have a range of support, groups and networks for staff, including FABEE, the Disabled Workers Forum and the LGBTQ+ Employee Network.
To Apply: If you would like to contact us for an initial informal and confidential chat, call Elliot Sweeney on 07887 831680 or 01772 532876 or email Elliot.Sweeney@lancashire.gov.uk. Please ensure you have uploaded and attached your supporting statement to evidence how you meet the criteria for the role. The panel may be unable to shortlist you for an interview without this evidence.
Important: We reserve the right to close a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications. To be considered for this role, candidates must be registered with Social Work England (SWE) or have applied to register with SWE (or equivalent HCPC, NMC registration if AMHP candidate is not a SW). For this role you are unable to commence post without Registration. The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful, you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab. You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and you must be insured for business use. However, we may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability. International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship.
Social Worker I Approved Mental Health Professional l Mental Health Team l Preston l Fulltime employer: Lancashire County Council
Join Lancashire County Council's Mental Health Service as an Approved Mental Health Professional and be part of a dynamic team dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of individuals experiencing mental health crises. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we offer generous leave entitlements, a supportive work culture, and extensive professional development opportunities, all while embracing diversity and innovation in our approach to social care. Located in Preston, you will enjoy a vibrant community atmosphere and access to numerous benefits that enhance both your personal and professional life.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker I Approved Mental Health Professional l Mental Health Team l Preston l Fulltime
✨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 Lancashire County 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 Lancashire County 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 Lancashire County 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 Lancashire County 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 I Approved Mental Health Professional l Mental Health Team l Preston l Fulltime
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 Lancashire County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lancashire County 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 Lancashire County 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.
