Specialist Community Social Worker

The newly created Community Social Worker will play a vital role in supporting adults and improving the lives of individuals, families, and groups from within the Deaf, hard of hearing, deafened, Deafblind community We value the opportunity to work creatively, flexibly and provide quality time, keeping ‘caseloads low’ so we can connect the community with the resources, services, and opportunities they need to enhance and maintain their physical and mental wellbeing. You are a compassionate empathic practitioner who has excellent interpersonal skills who can build and maintain relationships with individuals who may be experiencing difficult times. You will have extensive knowledge of the local community resources and services to facilitate, empower individuals and groups, to grow and connect to the right support and resources. A strength based approach will underpin your approach to problem solving to help people navigate through challenges and find person led interventions and strategies. You are committed and able to clearly demonstrate the professional standards of social work, from theory to application using up to date best practices. Joining a highly supportive and compassionate social work team diverse in their different skills and strengths, you will be self-motivated and equally work well as part of a team. Culturally aware you will have an avid interest and understanding of the need of Deaf, hard of hearing, deafened, Deafblind community. Be passionate about promoting accessible services for those in Surrey. Excellent communication and IT skills, the ability to work flexibly, collaborate with others, and have an enthusiastic ‘can do’ approach are essential. You must be a Registered Qualified Social Worker with an up-to-date registration. We welcome applications from the Deaf Community who can confidently communicate in British Sign Language. If you are not fluent in BSL (level 2 min) yet bring other strengths, we will support your learning to excel in your role and access interpreters. Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey is an inclusive organisation dedicated to enabling and empowering people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, partially sighted, and deafblind. We champion independence, where people thrive in their communities and achieve their aspirations. We are a countywide charity based in Fetcham near Leatherhead. Principle Accountabilities: To deliver a strength based, person-centred, service for those who are Deaf, hard of hearing, deafened, Deafblind and their family/carers, support networks and other professionals. To complete comprehensive specialist needs assessments creating person led support plans to reach individual goals and to review and evaluate the effectiveness of support plans. Promote community opportunities to empower access and educate community members on available resources and services. Utilising Deaf Café and Community Hubs. Advocate for and assist people in navigating the wider services and systems eensuring access is available whenever necessary, appropriate, or requested. Connect people with community resources to strengthen, enhance and promote their physical and mental wellbeing mitigating isolation and loneliness. Collaborate with other professionals to deliver a holistic support, sharing specialist social work advice. Provide appropriate information, advice and crisis intervention in situations requiring intervention via face to face ‘casework’ and/or duty service cover. Prevent, detect, and respond to safeguarding concerns, implementing safeguarding policies and procedures for people who may be/are at risk. Clearly demonstrate social work professional standards in both understanding and in the application of best practices and commit and maintain continued professional development. Depending on experience, to provide regular supervision to a social care assistant/s. Ensure appropriate and timely record keeping enabling effective communication and professional accountability. Contribute towards monitoring and evaluation, including both quantitative and qualitative data collection. To participate positively ·       With team learning, reflection, and continuous professional development (CPD) to maintain professional registration. ·       With team and cross team activities and bespoke projects ·       With regular supervision with your line manager, training, and team/organisational meetings ·       Engage and support the charities fundraising activities and shared learning opportunities. Adhere with all operational policies and procedures related to your role including equality policy, financial controls, health, and safety including lone working procedures. The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and may be subject to change. The post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may be expected within the scope and grading of the post. We can offer you: ·       A generous annual leave allowance (full time annual leave entitlement is 28 days per annum, plus bank holidays). ·       Investment in your development, with training opportunities available. ·       Access to an Employee Assistance Programme. ·       Pension contributions matched up to 6% using the Pensions Trust. ·       Annual flu vaccinations and an eye test every two years with a contribution towards work related glasses. ·       Wide range of training opportunities suitable for your role. ·       A growing range of other staff benefits. ·       A fun and friendly team! A Disclosure and Barring Service will be required which we can arrange. This is an office-based role with travel across the county. You must be able to travel independently across the county on a daily basis to meet the needs of the community.