Senior Social Worker (Primary Care Networks)

Senior Social Worker (Primary Care Networks)

Employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Salary: £48,710 - £49,764 Per Annum, Plus Benefits
Location: Wokingham
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week.
DBS Check: Enhanced
Closing Date: 04/05/2025 at 23:00
Reference: 711907

We have a fantastic opportunity available for a Senior Social Worker to join our award-winning adult social care team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full time, permanent basis.

As Senior Social Worker, you will act as a key link between Primary Care Networks, General Practitioners, and Health and Social Care. An integral part of the role will be to offer greater availability to support the PCNs, creating increased access to guidance, joint-working, and problem resolution.

Part of this role will focus on the ways we can develop the integration through Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings, joint training, and responsive social work input. Also, developing and enhancing relationships with key stakeholders, including voluntary and community services, and seeking to improve practices and interworking relationships.

Benefits:

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 30 days (rising to 35 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays
• An excellent local government pension scheme
• An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline
• A range of local & lifestyle discounts
• Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
• Cycle to work schemes
• Monthly Supervision
• Opportunities to apply to train as a Best Interest Assessor to support our young people.
• Social Work Registration Paid
• And much more!

Key responsibilities:

• To be a named representative and key link between Adult Social Care and Health. To liaise directly with GP surgeries about case work.
• To have active contact with PCNs, local GP surgeries, Community Mental Health Workers, Social Prescribers, and voluntary services. To be physically present, building relationships and networking to promote better communication and joint working relationships.
• To contribute towards the development of Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings within WBC, with a view to increased frequency and urgent responses. The role will also require chairing MDT meetings and acting as the Adult Social Care representative.
• To be allocated cases referred from the MDT meetings and the PCNs, for people with social care needs, to ensure work is started immediately using a Strength Based Approach. To work with a short term case load and support with the general duty functions of the team on a rota basis.
• To work in accordance with Care Act (2014) to provide preventative support or to assess the needs of customers and their carers, offering access to services in line with their eligible needs, with an emphasis on health, safety, and wellbeing for vulnerable individuals and those that care for them.
• To adopt a Strength Based Approach to care and maintain a professional and respectful working relationship with individual customers and carers. To work in a person-centred way, ensuring that individual dignity is maintained, cultural and communication needs are addressed, and choices and aspirations are acknowledged and heard.

Candidate requirements:

• Social Work (degree or diploma) qualification
• Full EU driving licence (and access to the daily use of a car)
• Ability to use standard Microsoft programs and to learn specialist client record systems
• Ability to communicate well and work collaboratively with team members/customers/families
• Minimum of 2 years post qualifying experience.
• Good working knowledge of the statutory framework for the relevant care group and of an appropriate range of professional interventions.
• Experience in a Social Care or health care environment.
• Experience of managing risk in a social care or health setting.

Our Area:

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools including 69 primary and 21 secondary, a host of international businesses, and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities, and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

For an informal chat about the role please contact Laura Gordon – laura.gordon@wokingham.gov.uk

Closing date: Sunday 4th May 2025, 11pm

Interview date: TBC

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers, and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.

How to apply:

Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

Further information on this vacancy:

• Job Description