Senior Social Worker x2 in Wakefield

Community Mental Health Older People Social worker, level two or approved mental health practitioner post at Drury Lane, Wakefield.

Are you passionate about improving the health and well‑being outcomes for older people in Wakefield?

Are you committed to promoting the voice of Social Work in Mental Health?

If so, you may be just the person we are looking for.

We have an opportunity for a full‑time level two Social Worker (37 hours) at either grade 10 or grade 11 to join our integrated community mental health older people’s team.

To undertake this role, you will need a proven track record of supporting positive risk‑taking, be adept in strength‑based, outcome‑focused practice and have the relevant Social Worker qualification with post‑qualifying experience.

Mental health experience is desirable; however, your willingness to learn about mental health would be sufficient.

Our team supports service users over the age of 65 who often have complex/severe mental health issues, as well as needing social care support.

Referrals are mainly made through our trust, Rapid Access Older People Service.

We are based in Wakefield centre, which has access to local amenities, transport links and accessible paid car parking.

What will be expected from me?

The successful post holder will manage a caseload of service users who have various diagnoses, complex mental health, and potential social care needs.

As part of the role, the post holder will be responsible for assessing, arranging and reviewing support if needed, as well as collaborative working with other professionals and agencies.

The successful post holder will need to demonstrate that they are able to offer evidence of a strength‑based approach, have a good working knowledge of the Care Act and offer informed advice and support.

The post holder needs to be competent in undertaking assessments and identifying individual needs, as part of their statutory responsibilities, as well as using two IT systems daily.

What might I be doing?

• You will manage a caseload in accordance with the directorate and other agency policies and procedures.
• You will prioritise and risk assess/manage a complex caseload, and you may respond to crises.
• You will undertake planned interventions, as required, across a range of statutory casework.
• You will promote and develop collaborative working with the service user, family, carers, and other professionals looking at least restrictive approaches.
• You will prepare a range of reports, as appropriate, in accordance with policies and procedures.
• You will chair meetings, offering expert support and advice to tribunal hearings, produce high‑quality and more specialised assessments and reports for a range of functions, including court.
• Offer support and guidance to students who are on placement with our team.

Essential Requirements

• Degree in Social Work, or relevant Social Work qualifications recognised by the Central Council for Education & Training in Social Work/Registration with Social Work England
• Evidence of successful completion of post qualifying award or training, i. e., practice educator/ Best interest assessor.
• Evidence of maintaining skill and knowledge base in the professional field through post qualifying training or other opportunities
• Ability to develop and sustain effective working relationships with service users, carers, and other professionals.
• Have a good working understanding of the Care Act, mental health act and mental capacity act.
• Full UK driving license
• Excellent communication and engagement skills with a commitment to improving service delivery within mental health and social care.
• The ability to travel is essential.
• Approved mental health practitioner status, if applicable, as a grade 11 social worker.

If you are committed to working in a person‑centred way and have the skills to work in complex situations, we would be interested in hearing from you.

In return, we can offer you the opportunity to work in an exciting area of mental health and Social Care.

You will have regular supervision and the support of an initiative‑taking team, along with the relevant training required for the post, to develop in your role, and you will have the opportunity to train as an approved mental health practitioner if you are not already an approved mental health practitioner.

What can I expect?

• A competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy up to 10 extra days of annual leave
• Hybrid working (subject to role suitability)
• Access to high‑quality training programs to advance your career to the next level.
• We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We recognise that resilient teams need good work life balance as well as supportive leadership.
• Discounted and subsidised public transport (Arriva Bus Annual Travel Ticket, Northern Trains Limited (NTL), Metro Card).
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and a Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) scheme providing a tax efficient way to increase our pension.
• Great range of benefits including an Employee Assistant Programme, discounted membership to our excellent leisure facilities with free 12 weeks exercise program, discounts for a range of retail, entertainment, health and leisure providers, a cycle to work scheme, and many more.

Want to know more?

Feel free to contact.

• Name: Debra Turner
• E-mail: debra. turner@swyt. nhs. uk
• #J-18808-Ljbffr