Social Worker

Job summary hours per week.Exciting Opportunity for a Social Worker!Join Livewell Southwest, a leader in integrated health and social care, and make a difference in Plymouth!
We're looking for a motivated Social Worker committed to strengths-based practice to work with health funded individuals ensuring they have the best care possible.What We Offer:Collaborative Environment: Work within a multidisciplinary team (MDT).Diverse Roles: Support health-funded individuals across Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, and Long-Term Conditions.Strong Support: Benefit from guidance by a dedicated social work manager.Your Impact:Help clients achieve person-centered outcomes.Engage in a shared skills model for seamless care.If youre ready to elevate your career and create positive change, we want to hear from you!
Join us at Livewell Southwest!The position offered to thesuccessful applicant will be based on service need and the skill mix of theexisting teams and applicants and can include 7 day a week working.This rolemay not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.Please note that we may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted.
Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
Main duties of the job The post will use social work skills to primarily support health funded individualsThe post holder is required to dischargestatutory social care functions on behalf of the organisation and to uphold thestandards outlined in the Professional Capabilities Framework for Social Work.As such, they are required to undertake complex and proportionate assessmentsthat are evidence-based.
Examples include mental capacity assessments andhealth and social care assessments of people who have a variety of needs thatmay create a high level of risk to their wellbeing.
The post holder is alsorequired to arrange and review the delivery of social care support.
Wherever possible the post holder is requiredto support people to take risks in complex situations so that their outcomesand wishes are promoted.
The post holder is also required to undertake safeguardinginvestigations and consider decisions made in a persons best interest that maydeprive them of their liberty.Promote and uphold the privacy, dignity, rights, health andwellbeing of people who use health and care services and their carers, at alltimes.Work in collaboration with colleagues to ensure the delivery ofhigh quality, safe and compassionate healthcare, care and support.Communicate in an open and effective way to promote the health,safety and wellbeing of people who use health and care services and theircarers.To be legally literate with the Care Act (2014), the MentalCapacity Act (2005) and Human Rights Act (1998).
About us Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall.
Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration.
We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place.
Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships.
Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities.
If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description Job responsibilities Social workers primarily work with people in complex situations.
Complex is defined as - unpredictable or ambiguous situations where the person may be resistant, coerced or a significant risk to self and others.
These situations are often time-consuming owing to the multiple factors that have led the person to becoming socially excluded.
Decisions require proportionality and analysis of many different views and factors, such as psychological, biological, legal, environmental and economical.Livewell Southwest is fully committed to an integrated health and social care workforce which operates a shared skills model, whilst adhering to the core principles of the social work profession.
MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Responsibility for People Management Supervise and/or train students and Band 5 colleagues as and when required to ensure their practice is safe and professional.
Provide supervision on a 1:1 basis or through peer supervision as and when required to ensure practice is safe and professional.
Support the delivery of induction training for new staff within the service as and when required to ensure practice is safe and professional.
Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources Responsibility for the occasional short-term security of a persons cash, legal documentation or valuable items ( house keys) until they can be securely deposited.
Duty to consider best value option when planning for peoples care and support.
Responsibility for administration Plan and organise day-to-day work using an online calendar, recording systems, and workload management tools (that are available on the intranet) in accordance with departmental guidelines.
Ensure records are timely, kept up-to-date, accurate and used in accordance with the GDPR and organisational guidelines.
Have a good understanding of the various computer programmes essential for the completion of daily work, such as Microsoft office.
Arrange and plan meetings with colleagues and/or people who use services and be willing to chair them if required.
Responsibility for people who use our services Maintain contact with people who use our services either face-to-face, telephone or assistive technology such as video links and conference calls.
Design, implement and review care and support plans, which may involve the input of other professionals /disciplines.
Work to a number of protocols/procedures such as lone working, risk management and health and safety.
Complete carers assessments and seek feedback from people who use the service.
Learning some basic clinical skills to enable the undertaking of holistic assessments and liaison with the multi-disciplinary team.
Take an asset-based approach, including signposting to universal services, advice and information and considering the persons links and integration with their community and services such as advocacy.
Duty of candour and supporting people to make complaints if they wish too.
Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments Contribute ideas (and advocate on behalf of the people who use our services) towards the development and implementation of policies and/or services.
Work in other teams and across the organisation in order to support organisational demands and pressures.
Represent the team/organisation on planning or developmental groups as and when required.
A flexible and adaptable approach to organisational change.Other Responsibilities Correct use of computer hardware/software; security; processing and generating information; creating, updating and maintaining information databases.
Awareness of current social care research trends and to take part in development activities, such as Safeguarding Adult Reviews.COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS Maintain positive working relationships and communicate clearly with team colleagues, line manager, other professionals, people who use our service and their families/carers which may include highly sensitive issues.
Listen to and work in partnership with the people who use our services and families and carers.
Maintain professional conduct and communicate clearly when faced with competing demands and in situations that are potentially highly emotive, such as being challenged by families or other professionals.
Present evidence-based decisions and judgements about potentially complex/ ambiguous situations in a manner fit for the audience.
This includes writing court reports, explaining legal requirements to people and their families and projecting social work values in a multi-disciplinary setting.
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB Travel between different offices to attend meetings.
Visit people at home, community setting ( café), hospital, care home or prison.
Visiting people in their own homes may be prejudicial to health and wellbeing.
Some visits may be out of county and on occasion may require an overnight stay.
Protective equipment may be required such as gloves and facemask in certain settings.
Sitting at a computer either in office or remote working (refer to DSE policy).
Take pro-active steps to maintain self-care and resilience ( through the use of supervision, occupational health services etc.)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL POSTS The post holder is required to comply with all relevant policies and procedures pertinent to their post.
Current versions can be found on the intranet or via your manager.
The areas listed below are those Livewell Southwest currently places particular emphasis on.
Failure to follow correct policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action.Risk ManagementIn accordance with the Risk Management Strategy, employees will participate, whenever required, with the risk management process.
They will support line managers by attending mandatory and statutory training, completing incident/accident forms for every adverse event or near miss that occurs, report all defects and complaints, and communicate any dangerous situation to individuals potentially at risk.Health and Safety at WorkYou must co-operate with those in authority and others in meeting the statutory requirements and in following policies and procedures.
A copy of the Health and Safety Policy is available from the intranet or from the Risk Management Department.You are reminded that in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 you have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injury to yourself and to others affected by your work activities.
You will be notified where your post carries a requirement for immunisation.
You may be required to be able to undertake physical intervention training and participate in physical intervention as part of a physical intervention team and Basic Life Support (BLS).Infection ControlLivewell Southwest is determined to eradicate healthcare-acquired infection and puts a great deal of emphasis on the responsibility of all staff to ensure their own personal and others compliance with Infection Control (including Hand Washing) Policies.
All staff must comply with infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate their concerns to the Director of Operations or Chief Executives Office).Safeguarding Children and AdultsAll employees have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults and are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards their health and wellbeing.
Familiarisation with and adherence to national and local safeguarding adults and children policies is an essential requirement upon all employees.
Livewell Southwest has specific safeguarding policies and in addition, employees also have a responsibility to practice and work within the multi-agency policy developed by the Safeguarding Adults Board and the Safeguarding Children Board.
Staff are also required to participate in related mandatory/statutory training.ResearchFor clinical posts at bands 5 and 6, there is an expectation that engagement in research will be part of this role.
Therefore, an awareness of the value and relevance of research is expected and the post holder should either support existing research within their specialty area as appropriate or identify opportunities to raise awareness of research possibilities.
For clinical posts at band 7 and above, the post holder will be required to actively participate in complex audits using research methodology, or participate as required in clinical trials or equipment testing, and will demonstrate high level involvement in local ongoing research projects.Sustainability and climate changeAll staff are expected to take responsibility for the reduction of carbon emissions within their area of the organisation.
In particular this may relate to reducing energy consumption, making low carbon travel choices, consideration of goods and services being purchased, and waste reduction.
OtherThis Job Description is not exhaustive and may change as the post develops, but such change will not take place without consultation between the post holder and their manager.
Job descriptions should be reviewed at least annually at the appraisal meeting.The Working Time Regulations apply to all employees of Livewell Southwest.
In particular, Livewell Southwest will not permit staff in all employments to work in excess of 48 hours in any one week except where there are exceptional service needs where an absolute limit of averaging over a reference period of 17 weeks would apply.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential Degree or equivalent in Social Work DipSW, CQSW, CSS Commitment to work towards the successful completion of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) (where newly qualified) Registration with Social Work England as a social worker Evidence of Continuous Professional Development by producing documentation to meet the Standards of Proficiency for Social Worker registration Desirable Experience of working in mental health setting.
Evidence of a post qualifying award - such as Best Interest Assessor (BIA).
Experience Essential Experience and knowledge in line with national standards and guidance Ongoing training and evidence of continuous professional development Relevant policies and procedures of the Department and Livewell South West Relevant legislation; The Care Act 2014, Health and Social care act 2012 and the Mental capacity Act 2005, Data Protection, Equal Opportunities, Freedom of Information Act, Disability Discrimination Act, The Human Rights Act 1998 Resources in order to provide advice and information to enable vulnerable adults and carers to make informed choices, Allowances, access to support advice and information.
Safeguarding for vulnerable adults and children and young people Working knowledge and experience of working to address a range of human needs, including personal crisis, disability, ill health.
Awareness of the potential effects of providing regular and substantial unpaid care to a relative, friend or neighbour Practical and procedural knowledge for a range of tasks related to the service area, of the policies or procedures relating to Continuing NHS Healthcare eligibility and interfaces Personal Budgets and Support planning, policies, and standards Multi-disciplinary and partnership working Specialist equipment/Manual Handling Risk Management Skills Essential Competent user of MS teams and undertaking virtual meetings.
Planning skills required to undertake appropriate care plans, manage day to day caseload; may have to plan up to a month in advance.
Keyboard skills required using a range of Microsoft office software to write reports and care plans, assessments, letters, enter data and complete forms.
Highly developed communication skills to enable daily interaction with colleagues, service users and partner agencies.
Write reports for court and statutory reviews as well as for case recording.
Negotiating skills to enable an appropriate way forward or provide an acceptable solution for the service user.
Judgemental skills needed to analyse, interpret and assess each case, using professional knowledge.
Observational skills when visiting service users homes interaction between service user and carer, home hygiene, safety of home.
Prioritise and work flexibly as well as managing time effectively in order to meet specified tasks within agreed timescales.
Work as part of a team and be able to contribute effectively to the achievement of wider service performance objectives.