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- Tasks: Lead a team of social workers and assessors to support adults with social care needs.
- Company: Join St Helens Borough Council, a passionate and ambitious local authority in the Northwest.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, free parking, additional holiday purchase, and ongoing training support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England.
- Other info: We encourage diverse applicants and offer guaranteed interviews for disabled candidates.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are St Helens Borough Council, located in the heart of the Northwest close to Liverpool, Manchester and Lancashire. St Helens is a transformational Council which is passionate and ambitious for the communities we support. We provide a wide range of local authority services to the residents, businesses, schools, and visitors to the borough. We can only do this because of our highly valued, highly skilled workforce. Working together, our workplace vision and values guide our organisation, and the contribution of our workforce is key to our culture journey.
Employees with us receive a wide range of benefits including well-being in work, financial benefits, ways of working and learning and development support. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a suitable candidate to join the management team of the CHC and DOLS Team. The management team consists of one Team Manager and one Advanced Practitioner and we report directly to the Head of CHC and DOLS. The team’s base is Forster House and consists of Social Workers, Best Interest Assessors, Assessment and Review Workers and Admin staff. The CHC and DOLS Team works with adults aged 18 years and over. The team is busy and the work is complex and challenging.
As part of the management team, you will be expected to cover for the Team Manager when absent and to provide ongoing support to the staff within the team. The role will be to assist and deputise for the Team Manager, to manage a team of Social Workers, Best Interest Assessors and Assessment and Review Workers to undertake social care assessments, support with participation in health assessments for CHC consideration, social care reviews and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard Assessments. This will assist in delivering outcome-focused support plans for adults with eligible social care needs.
To support and undertake staff management, you will be responsible for supporting wellbeing, training, and development, working with the standards of conduct, performance and ethics as described by Social Work England. You will drive good practice development and improvement in the service and ensure the safe and effective delivery of services to adults with eligible social care needs. You will take a lead role supporting social work staff with complex cases. The team is supportive and we work closely with our health colleagues from the ICB. A good induction and monthly supervision will be provided.
The team has a flexible working arrangement, which means you will be required to divide your working week between home and the designated office. This Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its clients and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Our current benefits package for this role includes:
- Free parking in specified “agile working hubs.”
- Additional holiday purchase scheme.
- Monthly supervision and annual appraisal.
You must be a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England.
For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Gemma Thompson, Team Manager of CHC and DOLS team via email at Gemmathompson@sthelens.gov.uk or telephone 01744 673438. We welcome and encourage visits to the team before applying for the post; if this is something you would like, please contact the team and we will be happy to arrange it.
This post is subject to Enhanced DBS Disclosure. Please note we reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive a sufficient number of applications and encourage you to apply early to avoid disappointment.
St Helens Council is a Disability Confident Leader. This means that the Council guarantees an interview to disabled applicants who demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria for the job, as detailed on the Person Specification, and will, for qualifying disabled candidates, make reasonable adjustments within the interview/selection process.
St Helens Borough Council respects and values the individuality that every employee brings. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, who share our values, our commitment to inclusion, and who will help us on our journey to transform our organisation.
Advanced Practitioner employer: St Helens Council
Contact Detail:
St Helens Council Recruiting Team
Gemmathompson@sthelens.gov.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and complexities of working within a CHC and DOLS team. Understanding the nuances of social care assessments and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards will help you demonstrate your expertise during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Reach out to current or former employees of St Helens Borough Council to gain insights into the team dynamics and workplace culture. This can provide you with valuable information that you can reference in conversations, showing your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you would support and develop staff within the team. Highlighting your experience in managing complex cases and fostering a supportive environment will resonate well with the management team.
✨Tip Number 4
Take advantage of the opportunity to visit the team before applying. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also allows you to ask questions and get a feel for the work environment, which can be beneficial when discussing your fit for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Advanced Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Advanced Practitioner position. Highlight key skills and experiences that align with the role.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your relevant experience in social work, particularly in managing teams and complex cases. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to support staff and deliver effective services.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for social work and your commitment to the values of St Helens Borough Council. Mention how your background aligns with their mission and how you can contribute to the team.
Highlight Your Qualifications: Ensure you clearly state your qualifications, including your registration with Social Work England. Mention any additional training or certifications that are relevant to the role, as this will strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at St Helens Council
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of an Advanced Practitioner. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with managing a team and supporting complex cases.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As this role involves deputising for the Team Manager, highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've supported staff development and managed challenging situations in previous roles.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Local Authority Services
Research St Helens Borough Council and its services. Understanding the local context and the specific needs of the community will demonstrate your commitment and readiness to contribute effectively.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask during the interview. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the team and organisation are the right fit for you.
