Nurse Care Manager/Senior Social Worker in Leeds

As a Senior Nurse Care Manager/Senior Social Worker, you will be central to a network of partners working across health and social care in Leeds who are committed to increasing integration for better services supporting people with learning disabilities. You will manage a complex and diverse caseload to safeguard the welfare of individuals, families and carers. You will assess needs and manage risk, devise and implement support plans, commission services and evaluate outcomes, working with colleagues and partners to provide direct support to individuals and their carers.

You will be supported and guided by team managers, and in your turn play a key role in mentoring and advising other team members. We strive to achieve the right balance between support and challenge in all roles, to promote staff wellbeing as well as a clear career development pathway. We value connection and professional relationships so we continually learn from each other and from the people and families we are working alongside. These strong support networks and learning opportunities enable our colleagues to deliver the best possible outcomes for the adults they work with.

Job Purpose

With support from Team Manager, provide a high quality and comprehensive service to learning disabled adults, their carers and community in accordance with organisational needs, policy, practices and within statutory guidelines. At all times carry out responsibilities within the Nursing and Midwifery Code of Conduct or Social Work England.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of higher levels of challenge and complexity, including assessment and management of risk; undertake assessment of service users and carer needs using a person-centred approach; provide advice, support and guidance on casework to less experienced team members.
• Carry out specific pieces of work on cases allocated to other team members.
• Utilise professional skills to provide direct support to individuals and their carers.
• Undertake assessment, support planning, monitoring, reviewing, commissioning services and contributing to service development for individuals using a strength-based approach.
• Maintain and update case notes/records and provide concise, informative reports based on analysis of complex evidence, including evidence in court in relation to care or other proceedings.
• Maintain high standards of conduct and integrity within the organisation, adhering to relevant Codes of Conduct.
• Contribute to improvement of future services including processes and procedures; promote innovative ways of developing support to service users.
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of individuals, families and carers; very highly complex cases may be co-worked within the line management framework.
• Devise and implement service and support plans based on assessed needs and risks, using a person-centred approach and in line with procedures.
• Analyse information to support ongoing needs of service users, families and carers.
• Monitor/contribute to review of plans relating to assessed needs of service users, families and carers.
• Use safeguarding framework to investigate and manage risks where individuals have experienced or are likely to experience significant harm.
• Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within data protection requirements.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with professionals internally and externally to ensure an integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary approach to care management and safeguarding of service users.
• Contribute to promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
• Responsible for understanding and applying relevant practice standards, policies and procedures, related theories and legislation; disseminating knowledge and contributing to a high standard of service.
• Plan and negotiate a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of service users within delegated levels of responsibility.
• Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required.
• Organise work activities, prioritising tasks to ensure statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
• Be compliant with relevant governance, policy and procedures; work within the prescribed national Professional Capabilities Framework; work to prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice.
• Provide professional advice and support to colleagues, including newly qualified Social Workers/Nurses; supervise, support and provide development for student placements.
• Work in a cross section of social work teams, including secondments, to develop and consolidate knowledge and enable more complex caseloads over time.
• Undertake pieces of work in relation to customer feedback, representations, complaints, multi-agency projects or service developments; make recommendations or action plans to improve service delivery.
• Chair multi-agency meetings, determine plans and make recommendations to the Team Manager and contribute to capacity development within the community.
• Supervise students and contribute to the preparation of practice learning settings for student placements, ensuring induction programmes are provided and opportunities monitored.
• Responsible for a complex caseload including assessment of needs and management of risk regarding adults, carers and the community.
• Maintain and update case notes and other records; write reports as required and, if required, give evidence in court in relation to care or other proceedings.
• Contribute to planning and developing future services and policies and promote innovative ways of developing support to service users.
• Undertake range of complex Community Care assessments; investigate complaints of alleged neglect and/or abuse of adults; undertake safeguarding investigations in accordance with legislative requirements and Multi-agency Safeguarding procedures; undertake risk assessments, identify needs and options.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with service users, families and carers, providing advice and support to promote independence and early intervention as necessary to help resolve conflict.
• Contribute to enhanced screening of new referrals and people already in receipt of services.
• Work with individuals, families, carers and communities to help them make informed choices and decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.
• Work in court arena with appropriate support to obtain and implement court orders where necessary.
• Construct value-for-money care packages; commission a range of services for individuals, groups and communities designed to minimise risk and improve quality of life for service users and their carers.
• Contribute to the development of practice and services through participation in workshops and consultations.
• Undertake Supported Learning in Practice, Approved Mentor/Practice Assessor Programme and assess and manage the work of students.
• Participate in office duty on a rota basis, responding to new referrals, assessing urgency of requests and, with advice and support, implementing actions to meet immediate needs.

Qualifications and Requirements

You will be qualified as: a Registered Learning Disability Nurse and registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council or Senior Social Worker (registered with SW England); an Approved Mentor/Practice Assessor; Practice Educator Level 2 or equivalent (or undertake this on appointment, funded by us).

You will bring to the role: a minimum of 2 years post-qualifying experience; knowledge and understanding of current learning disability practice and the role of a multi-disciplinary team; skills in effective assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation; ability to build good working relationships and chair meetings; experience of using a person-centred approach and reflective practice; ability to lead, motivate, mentor and supervise staff; commitment to CPD; right to work in the UK as applicable; and other related competencies listed in the original text.

Following a minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience undertake Best Interest Assessments as set out in statute, document and evidence assessments within statutorily defined time frames, identify a representative for the individual and make recommendations for any proposed authorisation.

Experience of working with Mental Health Act 1983 duties where authorised.

Minimum of 2 years experience in a statutory/health setting; driving licence.

Knowledge of safeguarding, IT systems, confidentiality, diversity, multi-agency working, and person-centred practice.

Experience of supervising and advising qualified and non-qualified staff; reflective practice for decision making and planning.

Essential Requirements

• Able to manage, prioritise, review and evaluate service and support plans with service users; work effectively in a team with organisational and time management skills.
• Effective communication with partners, service users, carers and colleagues; ability to negotiate, challenge, manage conflict and exercise appropriate assertiveness.
• Identify appropriate interventions to promote positive change; use a person-centred approach; exercise judgement and consult where necessary.
• Maintain accurate records, assessments and reports to a high standard; chair multi-agency meetings; lead and develop staff and student placements.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance, policies; ability to interpret and apply them consistently; understanding of statutory and voluntary agency roles.
• Proficient IT skills (Microsoft Office, Internet, Email); confidentiality considerations; safeguarding awareness; diversity awareness.
• Experience of working with people with learning disabilities; supervising and advising staff; reflective practice; minimum 2 years in statutory/health settings; full driving licence.

Benefits

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.