Advanced Social Worker- Mental Health Transitions

Proud to Care Devon; Topsham; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Flexible hybrid working

Local Government Pension Scheme

Job summary

Devon County Council is seeking an Advanced Social Worker for the Transitions Adult Social Care (TASC) Team. You will lead practice, supervise colleagues, and drive collaborative work across children’s and adult services to support young people with mental health needs.

The role emphasizes evidence-based, person-centred practice, partnership working, and service development within a Section 75 framework with DCC and DPT.

Qualifications

• Qualified and registered social worker with SWE registration.
• Experience leading social care teams and complex cases.
• Practice Educator qualification or willingness to work towards it.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated practice across DCC and DPT under the Section 75 agreement.
• Provide supervision, mentoring and coaching to colleagues.
• Support cross-agency work to improve pathways for young people.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Partnership

Risk management

Education

Social Work England registration

Practice Educator qualification

Job description

Make a difference at a critical point in a young person’s life:

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Advanced Social Worker to join our Transitions Adult Social Care (TASC) Team, supporting young people as they move from children’s into adult services. This role sits within our integrated system, delivered through the Section 75 partnership between Devon County Council (DCC) and Devon Partnership NHS Trust (DPT). You will be line managed within this arrangement, working across organisational boundaries to support both the TASC team and wider services. Your focus will be on ensuring young people experiencing mental health needs receive the right support at the right time, with transitions that are planned, joined-up, and centred on achieving positive long-term outcomes.

About the Transitions Team (TASC)

The TASC team supports young people aged 14+ who are likely to require ongoing care and support into adulthood.

The team focuses on:

• Early identification and planning
• Coordinated transitions from children’s to adult social care
• Integrating support across education, mental health, health, housing, and social care
• Promoting independence, wellbeing, and stability into adulthood

About the role

This is a key practice leadership role within an integrated system.

You will:

• Work across DCC and DPT services under the Section 75 agreement, supporting strong partnership working
• Provide leadership within the TASC team, while also influencing wider mental health and adult social care services
• Support improved pathways and outcomes for young people whose needs are linked to mental health and emotional wellbeing

What you’ll be doing

• Lead high-quality, integrated practice
• Act as a practice leader, championing evidence-based, person-centred social work
• Provide professional supervision, mentoring and coaching to colleagues across the team
• Support practitioners working across organisational boundaries
• Support complex transitions
• Take a lead in complex transition cases, particularly where there are significant mental health needs
• Ensure plans are holistic, coordinated and forward-looking, bridging children’s and adult services
• Promote a strengths-based approach that supports independence and positive adult outcomes
• Strengthen partnership and system working
• Work closely with:
• Children’s social care
• Mental health services (including DPT teams)
• Education and SEND services
• Housing and community providers
• Help develop clear pathways and shared approaches across the system
• Promote joint responsibility and collaborative decision-making
• Support operational delivery and quality
• Work with the TASC Team Managers, reporting to Community Services Manager, to support:
• Case allocation and oversight
• Quality assurance and audit activity
• Practice development and service improvement
• Drive improvement and learning
• Champion reflective practice and continuous improvement
• Support learning across teams and organisations
• Contribute to service development and innovation

What we’re looking for

• Experience and knowledge
• Significant post-qualifying experience as a registered social worker
• Strong understanding of:
• Mental health and transitions
• Adult social care and children’s legislation
• Integrated and multi-agency working
• Experience working with complex cases and managing risk
• Leadership and influenceAbility to support, coach and develop others
• Confidence to work across organisational boundaries and influence practice
• Commitment to high-quality, person-centred and strengths-based practice skills
• Strong communication and partnership working
• Ability to navigate complexity and challenge constructively
• High-quality assessment and decision-making skills
• Qualifications
• Recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England
• Practice Educator qualification (or willingness to work towards)

What we can offer you

• We are committed to your continuous professional development, doing all we can to help you to get the most from your career. You will receive excellent support and supervision, with regular opportunities to discuss and reflect on your practice, both with your line manager and peers.
• We offer 26 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, rising incrementally to 31 days after 5 years’ service.
• Flexible working opportunities are available, these include part-time hours, flexitime, compressed working hours and homeworking (this is subject to the needs of the role – please discuss at further at interview)
• Offer an opportunity to enter a generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Please note: At this time, we are unable to consider overseas applications who aren’t currently residing in the UK.

Life in Devon

From top-performing schools, universities, vibrant cities to charming villages and breath-taking coastlines, and countryside. Devon offers an unbeatable lifestyle. Whether you’re relocating or looking for a fresh start, this is your chance to live and work somewhere truly special.

For further information on this role, please contact:

Janne Greasley, Community Services Manager- Mental Health Social Care – [e-mail]

Does the job role include personal care?: No

Working Patterns:

TBC

Essential details:

Please click here to view the Job Description

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
• For details on the use of AI in applications and Devon County Council’s use of AI in Recruitment please see Use of AI in Our Recruitment Processes - Working for Devon | Devon County Council.
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working -The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
• We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required. For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
• This role requires a DBS disclosure
• This role requires Social Work England Registration (SWE).