At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support young people through mental health transitions, ensuring coordinated care.
- Company: Join a collaborative team within Devon County Council and NHS Trust.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome all applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives by promoting independence and wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Registered social worker with experience in mental health and transitions.
The predicted salary is between 43180 - 50444 £ per year.
This role sits within our integrated system, delivered through the Section 75 partnership between Devon County Council (DCC) and Devon Partnership NHS Trust (DPT). You will be line managed within this arrangement, working across organisational boundaries to support both the TASC team and wider services. Your focus will be on ensuring young people experiencing mental health needs receive the right support at the right time, with transitions that are planned, joined-up, and centred on achieving positive long-term outcomes.
About the Transitions Team (TASC)
The TASC team supports young people aged 14+ who are likely to require ongoing care and support into adulthood. The team focuses on:
- Early identification and planning
- Coordinated transitions from children’s to adult social care
- Integrating support across education, mental health, health, housing, and social care
- Promoting independence, wellbeing, and stability into adulthood
About the role
This is a key practice leadership role within an integrated system.
Responsibilities
- Work across DCC and DPT services under the Section 75 agreement, supporting strong partnership working
- Provide leadership within the TASC team, while also influencing wider mental health and adult social care services
- Support improved pathways and outcomes for young people whose needs are linked to mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Lead high-quality, integrated practice
- Act as a practice leader, championing evidence-based, person-centred social work
- Provide professional supervision, mentoring and coaching to colleagues across the team
- Support practitioners working across organisational boundaries
- Support complex transitions and take a lead in complex transition cases, particularly where there are significant mental health needs
- Ensure plans are holistic, coordinated and forward-looking, bridging children’s and adult services
- Promote a strengths‑based approach that supports independence and positive adult outcomes
- Strengthen partnership and system working
- Work closely with children’s social care, mental health services (including DPT teams), education and SEND services, housing and community providers
- Help develop clear pathways and shared approaches across the system
- Promote joint responsibility and collaborative decision‑making
- Support operational delivery and quality
- Work with the TASC Team Managers, reporting to the Community Services Manager, to support case allocation and oversight, quality assurance and audit activity, practice development and service improvement
- Drive improvement and learning, champion reflective practice and continuous improvement
- Support learning across teams and organisations
- Contribute to service development and innovation
Qualifications
- Significant post‑qualifying experience as a registered social worker
- Strong understanding of mental health and transitions, adult social care and children’s legislation, integrated and multi‑agency working
- Experience working with complex cases and managing risk
- Leadership and influence skills
- Ability to support, coach and develop others
- Confidence to work across organisational boundaries and influence practice
- Commitment to high‑quality, person‑centred and strengths‑based practice
- Strong communication and partnership working skills
- Ability to navigate complexity and challenge constructively
- High‑quality assessment and decision‑making skills
- Recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England
- Practice Educator qualification (or willingness to work towards)
Benefits
- We are committed to your continuous professional development, providing support and supervision, with regular opportunities to discuss and reflect on your practice, both with your line manager and peers.
- 26 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, rising incrementally to 31 days after 5 years’ service.
- Flexible working opportunities including part‑time hours, flexitime, compressed working hours and homeworking.
- An opportunity to enter a generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Relocation support of up to £10,000 may be available for suitable candidates, including visa sponsorship where applicable.
Diversity and inclusion
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. 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 a DBS disclosure and Social Work England Registration (SWE). The role requires fluent English, UK Right to Work, and we cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time.
Working patterns
TBC
Contact
For further information on this role, please contact: Janne Greasley, Community Services Manager – Mental Health Social Care, janne.greasley@devon.gov.uk
Advanced Social Worker- Mental Health Transitions in Topsham employer: Proud to Care Devon
Devon County Council offers an exceptional working environment for Advanced Social Workers in Mental Health Transitions, fostering a culture of collaboration and professional growth. With a strong commitment to continuous development, flexible working arrangements, and a generous benefits package, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people facing mental health challenges. The inclusive atmosphere and focus on diversity ensure that all staff can thrive while contributing to a vital service within the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Social Worker- Mental Health Transitions in Topsham
✨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 Proud to Care Devon.
✨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 Proud to Care Devon!
✨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 Proud to Care Devon, 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 Proud to Care Devon 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 Advanced Social Worker- Mental Health Transitions in Topsham
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 Proud to Care Devon:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Proud to Care Devon! 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 Proud to Care Devon
✨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.
