Mental Health Social Worker – Adult Social Care in Devon

Based in Bideford, with an expectation you may need to cover the whole of the North and Mid Devon catchment area. We have an exciting role available in the North with a strong focus on offering a personalised and person-centred approach to assessment, support planning, safeguarding and review.

Strong, effective communication skills are essential as you will be working in partnership with other statutory and voluntary sector organisations. There is a commitment to involving service users and carers in the delivery of a high quality and equitable service.

About you

An experienced and qualified Social Worker (CQSW, DipSW, BA Hons, MA or equivalent) who is registered to practice with Social Work England (previously HCPC). You will have completed the Assessed First Year in (post-qualifying) Social Work practice, if appropriate, and can demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Bringing a comprehensive working knowledge of the issues currently impacting on social care delivery, you will be up-to-date with policy and practice development. The roles require travelling significant distances, sometimes in urgent situations and without prior notice, in a rural environment where public transport may not be available. You will need to hold a current full driving licence and have access to a vehicle.

Social Worker Career Pathway

We have implemented the first phase of a new Social Worker Career Pathway within our Adults Services, with vacancies available at the Social Worker (Grade F) or Experienced Social Worker (Grade G) levels. Our Social Worker and Experienced Social Worker roles align with the national Professional Capability Framework (PCF) for Social Workers, which provides a robust structure for all local authorities to use as a way of standardising professional capabilities and provides a clear career pathway.

This is a fantastic opportunity to provide you with an achievable, clear pathway for your career; to enable you as a practitioner to reflect and identify your own practice and development on the PCF pathway. If successful in being shortlisted for interview, your experience, skills and knowledge will be assessed against the PCF domains and if found appointable, this will determine your appointment to either the Social Worker (Grade F) or Experienced Social Worker (Grade G) level.

With ongoing learning and support from your line manager, those appointed as a Social Worker will be able to evidence incremental learning and submit an application in due course for progression to the Experienced Social Worker (Grade G) via a portfolio of supporting evidence against the PCF framework.

Social Worker Statements

Adults with mental health diagnoses and substance misuse problems are often stigmatised and marginalised. Mental health social work can be both complex and challenging. The North and Mid Devon social care team is experienced, compassionate and has great camaraderie. We work hard together to make a difference to individuals who live with mental health diagnoses.

Does the job role include personal care?: No

Working Patterns: TBC

Essential details: What we can offer you

We are committed to your continuous professional development, doing all we can to help you to get the most from your career. You will receive excellent support and supervision, with regular opportunities to discuss and reflect on your practice, both with your line manager and peers.

We offer 26 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, rising incrementally to 31 days after 5 years’ service. Flexible working opportunities are available, including part-time hours, flexitime, compressed working hours and homeworking (this is subject to the needs of the role – please discuss further at interview).

We offer an opportunity to enter a generous Local Government Pension Scheme. As a place to live and work, Devon is hard to beat with top-performing schools, universities, vibrant cities, pretty villages and some of the most scenic coast and countryside in the UK. Living and working in Devon as a Mental Health Social Worker has never been more attractive.

Please note: At this time, we are unable to consider overseas applications. For an informal conversation and more information contact Carole Bewes, Team Manager: carole.bewes@devon.gov.uk.

We would also consider offering these posts as a Secondment opportunity for Devon County Council employees. Please ensure you obtain agreement from your line manager prior to making an application, as this is essential for your application to be considered.

DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon.

More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages. Happy to Talk Flexible Working – The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English. Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.

This role requires a DBS disclosure and Social Work England Registration (SWE).