Senior Hospital Social Worker – Discharge & Leadership

Stoke on Trent City Council; Brighton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is seeking an experienced Senior Social Worker to join the Hospital Social Work Team at University Hospital. The role focuses on leading professional practice, supporting staff, and ensuring timely hospital discharges in a seven-day service model.

You will work collaboratively with health partners to deliver high-quality social work in a fast-paced hospital environment, taking responsibility for complex decisions, safeguarding matters and service improvement

Qualifications

• Hold a recognised Social Worker qualification and Social Work England registration.
• Extensive post-qualification experience within adult social care.
• Experience of hospital discharge, safeguarding and complex decision-making.
• Provide strong leadership and support to staff.
• Excellent communication and partnership working skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership, guidance and support to Social Workers and Wellbeing Assessors, promoting high standards of practice and service delivery.
• Manage team performance, workload distribution, case allocation and capacity planning to ensure safe and effective outcomes.
• Oversee complex casework, safeguarding concerns and risk management, providing expert advice and decision-making support.
• Lead and coordinate Section 42 safeguarding enquiries, ensuring statutory responsibilities are met.
• Support hospital discharge planning and patient flow initiatives, helping to reduce delays and improve outcomes.
• Contribute to the delivery of a seven-day service including participation in weekend system calls.
• Lead quality assurance activities, audits and continuous improvement actions including QPRS initiatives

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Partnership working

Hospital discharge

Safeguarding

Risk assessment

Education

Social Work degree

Social Work England registration

Job description

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is seeking an experienced Senior Social Worker to join the Hospital Social Work Team at University Hospital. The role focuses on leading professional practice, supporting staff, and ensuring timely hospital discharges in a seven-day service model.

You will work collaboratively with health partners to deliver high-quality social work in a fast-paced hospital environment, taking responsibility for complex decisions, safeguarding matters and service improvement