At a Glance
- Tasks: Support safe and timely hospital discharges, completing assessments and plans for patients.
- Company: Join a dedicated team in the Hospital Discharge and Home First Service.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, excellent pension, and health support.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for training and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by promoting independence.
- Qualifications: Experience in care assessments and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity to join the Hospital Discharge and Home First Service as an Independence Advisor on a 12‑month secondment (internal only) or fixed‑term contract. This full‑time role is for 37 hours per week, worked Monday to Friday, and offers the chance to make a real difference by supporting safe, timely and person‑centred discharges from hospital.
The Hospital Discharge Team is responsible for completing Care Act assessments and support plans for people in hospital, helping to facilitate safe, effective and timely discharge arrangements in line with the duties of the Care Act 2014. The team works within Discharge to Assess pathways, completes post‑discharge assessments and reviews and holds cases up to four weeks post discharge to prevent readmission. The Home First Team also completes Care Act assessments, reviews and support plan post reablement assessment where long‑term care needs are identified.
We work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including reablement services, safeguarding enquiries, the Mental Capacity Act capacity assessments and best‑interest decision‑making. Our strong emphasis on Home First enables people to return home wherever possible and live as independently as they can.
Responsibilities
- Support safe, timely, and person‑centred discharges from hospital.
- Complete Care Act assessments and support plans for people in hospital.
- Facilitate safe, effective, and timely discharge arrangements in line with the Care Act 2014.
- Contribute to service development and improvement across the hospital discharge pathway.
- Work with multidisciplinary teams, including reablement services and safeguarding personnel.
- Support capacity assessments and best‑interest decision‑making under the Mental Capacity Act.
- Liaise with carers to ensure they feel informed, supported, and empowered.
- Maintain post‑discharge assessments and reviews, holding cases up to four weeks post discharge.
- Support the introduction of new systems and ways of working.
- Work flexibly between the hospital base, the Sembal Resource Centre, and the Civic Centre as required.
Benefits
- Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution.
- Death in service benefit of three times salary.
- Optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution).
- Generous holiday of 25‑31 days, based on role and service.
- Family‑friendly policies – Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for dependents.
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring.
- Health and wellbeing support – Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks.
- Veteran‑friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform.
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres.
- Sustainable travel benefits – low‑emission car scheme, cycle to work, season‑ticket loans.
- Employee volunteering scheme with two paid days leave to volunteer.
Independence Advisor (16861) in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
Join a supportive and dynamic team as an Independence Advisor, where your contributions will directly impact the lives of individuals transitioning from hospital to home. With a strong commitment to employee development, generous benefits including a local government pension, and a family-friendly work culture, this role offers a fulfilling opportunity to make a difference in the community while enjoying a healthy work-life balance. Located in a vibrant area, you will also benefit from various wellness initiatives and discounts that enhance your overall experience as part of our dedicated workforce.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independence Advisor (16861) in Southampton
✨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 Southampton City Council.
✨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 Southampton City Council!
✨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 Southampton City Council, 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 Southampton City Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 Southampton City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southampton City Council! 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 Southampton City Council
✨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.
