At a Glance
- Tasks: Help people access vital care and support services in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join West Sussex County Council, a diverse organisation serving over 850,000 residents.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, work-life balance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Office-based role with occasional travel; supportive environment for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in health and social care.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in negotiation or coordination are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30515 - 33119 £ per year.
About us
West Sussex County Council is a diverse organisation that provides services to more than 850,000 residents every day. As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.
About the job
- Salary: £30,515 to £33,119 per annum
- Working Pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week
- Contract Type: Fixed term contract until March 2027
- Location: Littlehampton office base
We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join our dedicated Care and Support Brokerage Team (CPST), helping customers access the right care and support services at the right time. We are looking for someone with strong communication skills who can work effectively with a range of services, teams, and customers. You will play a key role in navigating changing demands and ensuring the best support is provided. As part of CPST, you will work across both health and social care. You will be responsible for planning and sourcing support for people being discharged from hospital, as well as for those with assessed social care needs. This is an office-based role, with occasional travel, and standard working hours between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
You may come from a health or social care background, or you may bring transferable skills such as negotiation and coordination experience from other sectors. Strong administrative skills - particularly the confident use of Microsoft Excel - are essential.
To be successful in this role, you will need to:
- Communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
- Work in partnership with services and organisations across the health and social care system.
- Have a passion for helping people and delivering high quality support.
- Be well organised and able to manage multiple caseloads under pressure.
- Influence and negotiate with key stakeholders to source timely, cost effective support services.
- Understand the duties and requirements of health and social care services and apply these in line with CPST operating procedures.
- Demonstrate strong administrative and IT skills, with regular use of Excel.
- Negotiate competitive rates with providers to ensure best value for money.
Experience, qualifications and skills
Key Skills (please cover within your application with examples as these are the short listing criteria):
- Able to support the planning and arranging of customer focused and strengths-based services for people with care and support needs.
- Able to accurately relay information to service providers and health and social care colleagues to enable appropriate services to be sourced quickly.
- Able to organise / prioritise work, work independently, and work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
- Able to interpret intelligence received to determine risks and communicate safeguarding and service quality issues through the relevant channels.
- Excellent written, verbal, influencing and negotiation skills.
- Sound and accurate IT and keyboard skills.
Qualifications and/or experience (please cover within your application with examples as these are the short listing criteria):
- NVQ level 3 in a relevant subject, or equivalent qualification or experience.
- GCSE English and Maths, or equivalent qualification or experience operating at this level of literacy and numeracy.
- Good up-to-date working knowledge of legislations and organisational policies relevant to the specialist area of the post e.g. Care Act (2014), Hospital Discharge Guidance 2020, Mental Health Act (1983) etc.
- Experience of monitoring data and information including financial material and using a range of IT and data systems.
- Good understanding of office systems and practices related to carrying out a health or social care role.
- Experience of influencing and negotiating with individuals, stakeholders and service providers - Desirable.
Benefits
For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.
Further information
For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Geena Rowe (Working Age Mental Health and Forensic Services Team Manager).
We recognise applicants may use AI tools to support their application. This might include assistance with structuring content, improving clarity, or checking spelling and grammar. The council values authentic applications, in your own words, which reflect your experience and skills and how these align with our values. During assessment and interview stages, candidates may be asked to expand upon, or demonstrate, the experience they have described in their application. To help you structure your responses, use this guidance on the STARR technique. Applications found to contain misleading, false or wholly AI-generated content may be rejected.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check. West Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting an environment that is inclusive and free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of its people. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and take every possible step to ensure that no individual will be disadvantaged.
For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veteran's Guaranteed Interview Scheme (if you meet all the essential criteria), this can be found on our application help page.
Care & Support Broker - Mental Health and Forensic Services employer: West Sussex County Council
West Sussex County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises community impact and employee wellbeing. With opportunities for professional development and a focus on strengths-based approaches, you will be empowered to make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model in the beautiful surroundings of West Sussex.
Contact Details:
West Sussex County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Care & Support Broker - Mental Health and Forensic Services
✨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 West Sussex County 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 West Sussex County 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 West Sussex County 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 West Sussex County Council 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 Care & Support Broker - Mental Health and Forensic Services
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 West Sussex County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to West Sussex County 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 West Sussex County 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.
