Experienced Social Worker, Mental Health Team

Swindon Borough Council; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Swindon Borough Council is seeking an Experienced Social Worker to join the Mental Health Team. You will manage Care Act assessments, S117 planning, and related processes with a strength-based approach in a fast-paced supportive environment.

Flatly required are a formal social work degree and registration with Social Work England, fluency in English, and a willingness to travel across borough and beyond. Hybrid working with two office days weekly is expected.

Qualifications

• Formal social work degree and registration with Social Work England.
• Experience with mental health clients is beneficial.
• Wilingness to learn more about mental health work.

Responsibilities

• Complete Care Act assessments and proportionate support planning.
• Conduct S117 needs assessments and determine protection plans.
• Undertake S42 Enquiries and follow care management processes.
• Complete Mental Capacity Assessments and Best Interests decisions.
• Office-based in Swindon at least two days per week; travel to out-of-area visits as required.

Education

Social Work degree

Job description

Experienced Social Worker, Mental Health Team

Ref: 172970-2

Salary: £51,928 p.a, plus benefits

37 hours per week

Swindon Borough Council are on an exciting journey to transform service delivery. We want our town to be the best it can be. Our ambitious vision in the new Swindon Plan is supported by realistic transformation programmes, with the people of Swindon at their heart. Because that's who we're doing it for - the communities and businesses that make our town great. As part of the Council, you'll support a friendly local authority making decisions with real impact. It's all for better public services. Better processes. And a better quality of life, for everyone. Join us, and Swindon will be better with you.

Your next role

We are looking for an Experienced Social Worker in the Mental Health Team.

You will have sound strength-based skills and be passionate about ensuring people with a mental illness are supported to live their best lives. You will demonstrate excellent communication and assessment skills and enjoy working in a fast paced but supportive environment.

Experience of working with mental health clients is beneficial to the role but we will consider people who have sound practice skills (including recent, comprehensive experience of undertaking complex Care Act assessments and Mental Capacity Act assessments) and are willing to learn more about mental health work.

This role will see you working closely with the residents of Swindon and their families as well as a number of professionals including health, provider services, safeguarding and housing.

You will be responsible for completing Care Act assessments, proportionate support planning and S117 needs assessments. In addition, you will be undertaking S42 Enquiries and ensuring appropriate protection plans. You will follow the care management process of reviews, completing Mental Capacity Assessments and Best Interest decisions.

You will be expected to be in the office (based in Swindon) for a minimum of 2 days a week. Visits in Swindon outside of these times are likely; therefore, you must be able to commute to Swindon on a regular basis. You will also be expected to travel to visit people we support out of area, such as Salisbury, Bath, Bristol and Devizes.

You must hold a formal social work degree and be registered with Social Work England to apply for this post.

You must be fluent in the English language (as a requirement of Part 7 of the Immigration Act "for the effective performance of a customer-facing role").

You will require access to a car to be able to travel throughout the Borough and in wider geographical areas as required.

The team operates a hybrid working model, with all practitioners expected to be in the office for a minimum of two days per week. You may also need to be in the office for additional time if required.

You will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check.

Your next package

Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details.

As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance.

For Swindon to thrive in the future, we need to lay the foundations now. It's why our regeneration and transformation programmes are already underway. So, you'll be joining us at an exciting time on our journey. We'll look to you to share your knowledge, influence decisions and drive real, positive change. With your contributions, we'll achieve our vision of a prosperous, revitalised Swindon together. And you'll be proud to say it was made better with you.

Please see our Vision and Values page for more details and our new Swindon Plan.

Potential applicants are sometimes put off if they don't meet 100% of the requirements. We think individual experience, skills and passion make all the difference, so if you meet the majority of the criteria, we'd love to hear from you.

For further information about the role please contact Alison James, Team Manager, at [e-mail] who can arrange a call with you.

As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from a diverse range of communities, and in particular disabled people and people from ethnic minorities.

Closing date: 20 October 2026