Mental Health Social Worker

The Methodist Church in Britain; Torquay; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme

Holiday entitlement (27 days + bank)

Staff discounts

Career development and training

24-hour employee support helpline

Job summary

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust in Torquay is seeking an experienced social worker to join an integrated mental health team. You will support adults with severe and enduring mental health needs, and work within a multidisciplinary network to meet daily health, social care and wellbeing goals.

Newly qualified social workers are welcome; flexible hours (full-time or part-time) are considered. Registration with Social Work England or HCPC is required, with priority given to those with

Qualifications

• Experience of working with adults with mental health problems.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act requirements.
• Registration with Social Work England or HCPC is required.
• Experience in assessment and care management.

Responsibilities

• Provide interventions tailored to each person’s needs and adapt as those needs change.
• Carry out initial assessment, care management and risk management.
• Manage a complex workload with agreed timescales and deadlines.
• Work in partnership with a wide range of individuals and agencies within a multidisciplinary team.
• Visit secure units, acute psychiatric hospitals, residential homes and supported living settings.
• Promote equal opportunity and act with integrity and professionalism.
• Deliver a high quality service compliant with legislation and NHS employment standards.
• Collaborate with colleagues inside and outside the department with effective communication.
• Foster a no-blame culture and support learning from experience.
• Encourage learning and sharing challenges to improve services.

Skills

Mental health practice

Risk assessment

Care management

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Registration requirements

Education

Protection of vulnerable adults

Tools

IT skills

Job description

The post sits within an integrated mental health team at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. It centres on supporting adults with severe and enduring mental health needs, and those close to them, to meet daily health, social care and wellbeing needs, guided by their own recovery aims. Full-time or part-time hours are considered, and newly qualified social workers are also welcome. Applicants holding recognised Priority or At Risk status across Devon are given priority.

What the job involves

• Provide interventions tailored to each person's needs, adapting as those needs change
• Carry out initial assessment, care management and risk management for people presenting to the service
• Manage a complex workload, meeting agreed timescales and conflicting deadlines
• Work in partnership with a wide range of individuals and agencies, and within a multidisciplinary team
• Visit secure units, acute psychiatric hospitals, residential homes and supported living settings
• Practise with professionalism and integrity, acting as a role model and promoting equal opportunity
• Practise in line with the principles of intervening only when necessary, respecting what people know they need, and upholding their right to live without fear or harm
• Deliver a high quality service that complies with relevant legislation and NHS employment check standards
• Work collaboratively with colleagues inside and outside the department, communicating effectively
• Be honest about mistakes and challenges, and help build a no-blame culture where experience is shared
• Help develop a learning environment where feedback is valued and challenges are used to improve services
• Continually deliver greater value to customers and be open about challenges

What’s required

Qualifications

• Training in the protection of vulnerable adults

Registration & licences

• Registered with Social Work England or HCPC

Experience

• Experience of working with people who have mental health problems, or understanding of mental health service provision
• Community-based experience supporting people to live independently
• Assessment and care management experience
• Experience of working within adult social care

Skills & knowledge

• Understanding of Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act requirements
• Sound understanding of the Care Act 2014 and related code of practice
• Understanding of recovery principles and a strength-based approach
• Skills in initial assessment and risk management
• Effective recording skills
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and as a team member

Nice to have

• Post-qualifying experience
• AMHP or BIA qualification
• Supervision, presentation and group work skills
• IT skills
• Experience of working in mental health services
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
• Experience of working with people with dual diagnosis

What’s offered

• NHS Pension Scheme
• Holiday entitlement starting at 27 days a year for full-time workers, plus bank and public holidays
• Staff discounts
• Career development and training opportunities
• 24-hour employee support helpline