Social Worker (Home Safe Team)

Make a real difference in one of England's most beautiful counties and help shape brighter futures for those who need it most in Northumberland. At Northumberland County Council, we’re committed to delivering a high‑quality service to vulnerable adults and their loved ones across the County – and we’re looking for professionals who share our vision.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Social Worker to join our Home Safe Hospital Discharge Service working at Wansbeck General Hospital. The post is predominantly based at Wansbeck General Hospital, but the postholder must be flexible in providing service cover at other hospitals across the County. The post will be 37 hours per week on a permanent basis. The salary range for this position is £39,862 – £44,075.

The Role

You will work alongside and in partnership with individuals, families and carers using a range of interpersonal and communication skills to comprehensively assess complex psychosocial needs, set objectives, develop care plans and deliver appropriate interventions to facilitate safe hospital discharges. You will complete Urgent Needs Assessments, Mental Capacity Assessments and collaborate with a range of external services to access resources required to meet the identified care and support needs. As you provide comprehensive assessments, you will benefit from a good balance of autonomy and support. You will be responsible for the day‑to‑day management of your caseload but will have regular supervision and the full support of your Team Manager. It is essential that you have a clear understanding of the Care Act and the Local Authority statutory duties. We are committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Social Work and registered with Social Work England.
• Successfully completed the UK Skills for Care ASYE programme.
• Valid UK driving licence and ability to use a car for work purposes.

Benefits

• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of local authority continuous service (pro‑rata for part‑time employees).
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Flexi scheme – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro‑rata for part‑time employees).
• Essential Car User scheme.
• Free parking in majority of NCC base sites.
• Free electrical car charging at County Hall.
• Equipment provided including mobile phone and laptop.
• Local government discount schemes available to all employees with offers at local businesses and various national brands.
• Commitment to work/life balance offering flexibility through various schemes including job sharing and flexible working arrangements.
• Range of salary sacrifice schemes available.
• Staff networks – run by staff, for staff, providing opportunities for peer networking, mutual support, staff development (e.g., Apprenticeship, Armed Forces, ASD, Enable (disability), LGBT+, Menopause, Mental Wellbeing and Racial Equality).

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.

Alternative application format: British Sign Language – http://northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net/. For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: https://www.relayuk.bt.com/.