At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults with mental health challenges, enhancing their quality of life through tailored care.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Bexley, a vibrant community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, excellent pension, generous leave, and coaching opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in adult safeguarding and a commitment to person-centred care is essential.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 31200 £ per year.
About Bexley Adult Social Care
Bexley is an outer London Borough with the best of both worlds, located between the hustle and bustle of London and the Garden of England, Kent. Within the borough we have award-winning parks and open spaces, listed heritage sites and bustling shopping and eating places. Here at London Borough of Bexley, we are transforming our practice model to support our commitment to providing the highest level of care. Our determination to consistently achieve positive outcomes drives the changes we have made. We are now looking for likeminded individuals who share our passion to join us as we move towards an exciting future. We firmly believe that all adults deserve to live their lives with as much dignity as possible and so we promote choice, control and independence. With increased investment and dedicated staff, we’re working to achieve exactly that.
Key elements of the redesigned pathway include:
- Care Teams Approach: Moving toward dedicated assertive outreach teams to provide more focused, long-term support for severe and enduring mental health conditions.
- Occupational Therapy Expansion: A strong emphasis on functional independence, social engagement, and vocational rehabilitation through expanded group and individual OT sessions.
- Step-Up/Step-Down Functionality: Flexible movement across care zones based on clinical need. People experiencing symptoms can "step up" to intensive monitoring, while stabilising can be "step down".
- Evidence-Based Care: Continued alignment with NICE guidelines, focusing on CBT for psychosis, family interventions, and physical health well-being.
We are looking for a Social Care Assistant with a firm grasp of Adult Safeguarding and of working in a multi-disciplinary environment. You should preferably have a clear understanding of the Care Act. You should be able to demonstrate a firm commitment to person-centred working, recovery model focussed and have a ‘can do’ approach to day-to-day challenges. You’ll work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, assessing the service user’s needs (and that of their carer), to come up with a creative, yet practical, programme that will enhance their quality of life. You’ll help provide vulnerable adults who experience mental health problems in our community with brighter, more positive futures.
Please note that the successful candidate will be required to be office based at the Erith Centre at least 5 days a week.
Candidate Profile
You’ll be flexible, approachable and adaptable – towards service users and your colleagues alike – as well as being someone whose expert professional and legal knowledge is backed by a human touch. For the full list of essential and desirable criteria for this role then please refer to the Person Specification within the Job Description attached.
Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This Local Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This post is considered by the Local Authority to be a customer-facing position; as such it falls within scope of the Code of Practice on English language requirement for public sector workers. The council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the JD/Person Specification. These will be applied during the recruitment/selection and probationary stages.
Interviews are scheduled to be held on 12 and 13 August 2026.
About Us
Bexley is a vibrant and diverse outer London Borough nestled in the Thames Gateway between London and Kent which means it combines the perfect blend of city vibe and the tranquillity of Kent. It's got award-winning parks, open spaces, and heritage sites. The borough has excellent transport connections, including the Elizabeth Line and proximity to the M25. Bexley offers fantastic amenities such as libraries, leisure centres, and shopping areas. Our borough is also home to numerous primary and secondary schools, as well as further education institutions.
Our Offer to you
We will offer you in return a package that includes a competitive salary, coaching and mentoring programmes, an excellent pension scheme and generous annual leave plus bank holidays.
Recruitment Information
As a disability confident employer Bexley welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us on recruitment@bexley.gov.uk.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This role may be available as a development opportunity through secondment for the Council’s existing employees. The Council’s Secondment Scheme can be found here. We reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date.
Social Care Assistant- Adult Social Care in Erith employer: London Borough of Bexley
Bexley is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises employee growth and development through coaching and mentoring programmes. With a strong commitment to inclusivity, we provide a competitive salary, excellent pension scheme, and generous annual leave, ensuring our Family Hub Practitioners can thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Care Assistant- Adult Social Care in Erith
✨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 London Borough of Bexley.
✨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 London Borough of Bexley!
✨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 London Borough of Bexley, 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 London Borough of Bexley 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 Care Assistant- Adult Social Care in Erith
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 London Borough of Bexley:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Bexley! 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 London Borough of Bexley
✨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.
