Hospital Discharge Mental Health Social Worker

Richmond and Wandsworth Council; London; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading council is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Social Worker for the Hospital Discharge Team in a hybrid role across Richmond and Wandsworth. You will help ensure timely discharges and work closely with patients and healthcare partners, facilitating support and care plans. The position offers a competitive salary, ongoing training, and a supportive work environment aimed at retaining staff for impactful work.

Benefits

£3,000 retention bonus for qualified staff

Regular reflective and peer group supervision

Bespoke Personal Development Plans

Fully funded career pathways

Access to Research in Practice membership

40 days annual leave

Flexible working

Generous pension plan

Qualifications

• Motivated and compassionate social workers with hospital discharge experience.
• Strong knowledge of legal frameworks and at least one year of post-ASYE experience.

Responsibilities

• Support safe and timely discharge of patients via assessments and support plans.
• Collaborate with health colleagues to prevent unnecessary admissions and reduce discharge delays.
• Conduct Care Act assessments and engage with partners in health and housing.

Skills

Case Management

Risk Assessment

Multi-agency Collaboration

Person-centered Practice

Education

Post-ASYE Qualification

Job description

Hospital Discharge Team Mental Health Social Worker

Salary: £37,766 - £51,127 Competitive + £3,000 retention bonus (every 2 years' service)

Permanent/Full Time

Wandsworth/Richmond & Hybrid

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are recruiting passionate and experienced hospital discharge social workers specialising in mental health.Join our dynamic, integrated social work team and help shape the future of Hospital Discharge Social Work across Richmond and Wandsworth Councils.Our service supports the safe and timely discharge of our residents from several hospital sites, working closely with our community Health and Hospital Trust partners.

About the Role:

As aSocial Worker within our Mental Health Hospital Discharge Team you will be based in a hybrid role across Richmond and Wandsworth councils, hospital sites and working from home.

You will:

• Work closely with residents admitted due to their mental health needs. Collaborate with acute, rehab, forensic, and general wards.
• Prevent unnecessary hospital admissions by partnering with health colleagues. Facilitate swift hospital discharges, reducing delays.
• Conduct Care Act assessments, creating strength-based support plans.
• Engage with health, housing, and voluntary sector partners.
• Undertake carers assessments and support caregivers. Empower individuals with choice and control, ensuring proportionate support.
• Conduct mental capacity assessments and facilitate best interests meetings. Carry out initial reviews of care to ensure effectiveness.

What We're Looking For:

We seek motivated and compassionate social workers with:

• Hospital discharge (or a willingness to gain experience)
• Experience in case management, risk assessment, and multi-agency collaboration.
• Strong knowledge of legal frameworks and person-centered practice.
• At least one year of post-ASYE qualifying experience in a statutory setting.

Why Join Us?

• £3,000 retention bonus for qualified staff.
• Regular reflective and peer group supervision.
• Bespoke Personal Development Plans.
• Fully funded career pathways including Practice Educator, Leadership, Best Interest Assessor, AMHP, Coaching, and Adults Safeguarding at Risk.
• Access to Research in Practice membership and Institute of Leadership and Management resources.

If you're ready to be part of a forward-thinking, supportive team, helping residents retain their independence and remain active in their communities, we'd love to hear from you!

Closing Date:

Shortlisting Date:

Interview Date:

Test/Presentation:

For an informal conversation please contact the recruitment team via [e-mail]

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone.We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.