Newly Qualified Social Worker

Hillingdon Council; Uxbridge; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in England is seeking a Newly Qualified Social Worker to join their Adult Social Care Single Point of Access Team. In this role, you will manage a caseload focused on short-term interventions, working closely with experienced practitioners under a supportive framework. The ideal candidate will have excellent organisational skills and knowledge of relevant legislation, and will be committed to professional development within a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Flexible Working Hours

36 Hour Week

Generous Holiday Entitlement

Discounts at council owned leisure centres

Salary Sacrifice Schemes

Cycle to Work scheme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Mental Health Support and Counselling Services

Travel Support

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the Care Act (2014) and Mental Capacity Act (2005).
• Commitment to professional development and reflective learning.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-agency team.

Responsibilities

• Manage a duty-based caseload focused on short term intervention.
• Undertake Care Act assessments and support planning.
• Collaborate with internal colleagues and external agencies.

Skills

Excellent organisational skills

Risk assessment

Prioritisation

Interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Education

Recognised Social Work qualification

Job description

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Newly Qualified Social Worker to join Hillingdon’s Adult Social Care Single Point of Access (SPA) Team.

SPA are a busy duty team and the point of access for all community-based referrals to adult social care including self-referrals and professional referrals. SPA has a focus on short term and immediate intervention and specialises in:

• Triaging concerns, determining risk and urgency
• dealing with cases that require an urgent or immediate response, crisis management
• completing duty assessment and support planning including for clients presenting with legal complexities such as homelessness arriving via housing or Heathrow airport
• conduct Mental Capacity Assessments and Best Interest Decisions where indicated
• completing home visits where there are urgent welfare concerns
• Working with partner agencies such as housing, Heathrow Travel Care/Foreign Commonwealth office, reablement, safeguarding, mental health etc.

The candidate will have wide knowledge of the Care Act (2014), Mental Capacity Act (2005), excellent organisational skills and can evidence an ability to work in a fast-paced environment with skills around risk assessment and prioritisation.

This role provides a supportive environment to develop your skills and confidence as a social worker while completing your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE). Working under supervision, you will manage a caseload of duty-based tasks with a focus on efficient and timely progression of tasks to support to improve outcomes for adults, their families, and carers.

You will work closely with experienced practitioners and a supportive team, receiving regular professional supervision and reflective learning opportunities as part of your ASYE journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain professional registration and comply with the Council’s DBS requirements.
• Participate in and complete the ASYE programme, demonstrating progression against the Professional Capabilities Framework.
• Manage a duty-based caseload focused on short term intervention, within a supervised framework.
• Undertake Care Act assessments, support planning and coordinate interventions primarily in a community setting.
• Carry out capacity assessmentsand best interest decisions in line with the MCA (2005) where there are concerns around capacity.
• Apply a variety of social work models and techniques to meet assessed needs and promote independence.
• Make effective use of available resources to enable people to live better lives.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure compliance withdata protection protocols.
• Receive regular supervision while maintaining a critically reflective approach to practice.
• Recognise professional limits and seek appropriate advice and guidance where required.
• Work collaboratively with internal colleagues and external agencies including the police, health services, and voluntary sector partners.
• Advocate for individuals who may require additional support.
• Demonstrate awareness and compliance with professional standards, including the Social Work Professional Capabilities Framework (ASYE level).

About You

You will be a newly qualified social worker who is passionate about supporting adults, families, and carers through person-centred and strengths-based practice. You will have wide knowledge of the Care Act (2014), Mental Capacity Act (2005), excellent organisational skills and can evidence an ability to work in a fast-paced environment with skills around risk assessment and prioritisation. You will be committed to professional development, reflective learning, and achieving positive outcomes for residents.

You should also have:

• A recognised Social Work qualificationand registration withSocial Work England.
• A commitment to completing the ASYE programme.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-agency team
• A flexible and calm approach noting that duty work can at times be unpredictable
• An understanding of theCare Act 2014,Mental Capacity Act 2005, and safeguarding principles.
• A proactive and compassionate approach to working with residents.

Why Join Us?

At Hillingdon, you will benefit from:

• A structuredASYE programmewith dedicated support and mentoring.
• Regular professional supervision and reflective practice sessions.
• Opportunities for continued professional development and progression.
• A supportive, collaborative working culture focused on learning and growth.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.

Ready to start your social work career with purpose?

Join Hillingdon’s SPA Team and make a real difference in the lives of our residents while building a strong foundation for your professional journey in a supportive team.

About us

We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:

• Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information

Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:

• Enhanced DBS Check
• Qualifications Check
• Professional Registration Check
• 5 years of Referencing

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.