Social Worker/Mental Health Officer - MID07366

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established mental health social work service in Midlothian. The service is part of Midlothian’s overall Joint Mental Health Team which involves professionals from psychiatry, CPN’s, Occupational Therapy and Psychology. There is a strong team spirit and a focus on delivering the best possible outcomes for our service users.

Peer support within the team is well developed and all staff have opportunities to liaise with their colleagues regularly, both within the office environment and when working remotely. All staff take part in either the MHO duty rota or the number 11 office duty rota on a regular basis. We have a strong focus on training and development within the team and staff are encouraged to attend relevant training events when possible.

Midlothian Mental Health Team is based at ‘Number 11’ recovery hub in Dalkeith and the team is co-located alongside colleagues from community mental health teams, substance use teams and the justice service. Some of our third sector partners are also based in Number 11. It can be a busy and fast paced environment which allows professionals to come together quickly if needed, to make decisions and offer support to people who are experiencing distress in several areas of their lives.

The social work mental health team currently has 9 social workers, 7 are qualified as MHO’s with one member of the team currently on MHO training. The focus of the team is on working primarily with people who have become involved with secondary mental health services and need MHO input and/or social work support. We also deal with a variety of referrals in relation to people who have mental health issues of any kind and the team is responsible for assessing and providing/signposting to appropriate services. The team offers support and advice to other adult service teams within Midlothian in relation to mental health queries and statutory interventions.

You need to have an interest in working full time within the field of mental health and the enthusiasm to undertake work that can at times be difficult and challenging. You will have access to a primarily office-based line manager, regular professional supervision and supportive colleagues.

Knowledge

A degree in Social Work and registration with the SSSC as a Social Worker is essential. A Diploma in Social Work with SSSC registration as a social worker is an acceptable alternative together with a Mental Health Officer academic qualification.

Requirements

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children and Protected Adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with Children and Protected Adults. Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children and Protected Adults. You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council, the cost of which will be met by you.

If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please email recruitment@midlothian.gov.uk to discuss with a member of the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.

Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you.

If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child, you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.