Social Care Assessor

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free staff parking

Flexible working

Job summary

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust (DCHS) seeks a Social Care Assessor to coordinate safe, timely, person-centred discharges for adults within hospital settings under the D2A model. You will undertake holistic assessments, develop care plans, and work with patients, families and carers to enable independence and comply with Care Act 2014 and safeguarding requirements.

Join a Trust that is committed to equality, diversity and flexible working, and provides community health

Qualifications

• Knowledge of legislation, policies and client social needs from diploma level training and practical experience.
• Experience in social care, health or community setting.
• Knowledge of Care Act 2014, hospital discharge pathways and safeguarding policies.

Responsibilities

• Undertake holistic, strengths-based assessments of patients to identify care and support needs.
• Provide emotional and practical support to patients and families.
• Escalate safeguarding concerns and follow local safeguarding procedures.

Skills

Social care knowledge

Discharge to Assess

Mental Capacity Act

Safeguarding

IT literacy

Education

Diploma level training

Tools

Case management systems

Job description

The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of individuals from BME backgrounds and welcomes applicants from these communities. DCHS is also an LGBT inclusive employer. Selection will be on a basis of merit. The Trust has achieved the status of a Disability Confident Leader and guarantees to invite to assessment applicants who meet the criteria for the job vacancy. To ensure the diversity of the workforce and understand the differing needs of our communities, the Trust is committed to the principles of Positive Action.

Job overview

To provide Adult Social Care and Care Management services to patients within Acute hospital trusts and Derbyshire Community Health Services discharge pathways. DCHS provides Care Act 2014 functions on behalf of Derby City Council under a Section 75 agreement.

To work within the principles of the Discharge to Assess (D2A) model. To establish the social care needs of patients within a hospital setting and coordinate safe, timely, and person-centred discharges. The role focuses on preventing unnecessary delays, supporting independence, and ensuring patients have the right care and support in place once they leave hospital.

To work with individuals, families, and carers to assess social care needs for people within D2A pathways and support the development of care and support plans. The role focuses on enabling people to live as independently as possible, ensuring services are provided in line with legislation, policies, and best practice.

Main duties of the job

Assessment and Care Planning

Undertake holistic, strengths-based assessments of patients to identify care and support needs.

Support for Patients and Families

Provide emotional support to patients and their families

Safeguarding vulnerable people

• Escalate safeguarding concerns and follow local safeguarding procedures to protect vulnerable adults

Legal Aspects

• Social Care Assessors should understand and be able to explain non-complex legal, social and welfare situations, including the Mental Capacity Act 2009, Mental Health Act 1983, Equalities Act 2010 and Care Act 2014

Working for our organisation

Our purpose is to provide community health services to a patient population of over one million people in Derbyshire and Derby, as part of Joined Up Care Derbyshire.

We employ around 4,200 substantive staff, caring for patients in 11 community hospitals and more than 30 health centres, as well as in clinics, GP practices, schools, care homes and, increasingly, in people's own homes and via virtual consultations.

During the pandemic response we have led the implementation of public vaccination centres in collaboration with partners across health and social care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Person specification

Qualifications/experience

Essential criteria

• Demonstrated knowledge of legislation, policies and client social needs developed through diploma level training and practical experience.
• Experience working in a social care, health, or community setting
• Knowledge of the Care Act 2014, hospital discharge pathways, and safeguarding policies.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of local authority funding processes, Continuing Healthcare (CHC), and community support services.
• Knowledge of local resources, voluntary sector services, and community networks.

knowledge and skills

Essential criteria

• An understanding of and commitment to strength-based practice
• Understanding of people affected by dementia and other cognitive impairments
• Good written and IT literacy for case management systems and report writing
• Ability to work under pressure, manage a caseload, and prioritise effectively

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience in hospital discharge or social care community team

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust (DCHS) is one of the largest providers of specialist community healthcare in England and we currently employ around 4,500 staff. We deliver a variety of services across Derbyshire, caring for nearly 1.8 million patients each year.

We deliver patient care through 11 community hospitals, 4 minor injury units, 29 health centres and a learning disability centre. Another key part of our service is out in the community where we care for people in their own homes via therapists, health visitors and district nurses, and promoting public health in the wider community.

As a Trust we care for patients of all ages with a special focus on the needs of elderly people and the very young.

DCHS has been recognised as a top 10 NHS organisation to work for in the UK by the Health Service Journal and NHS Employers in their Best Places to Work 2015 campaign. The Trust is also the runner-up in the category for the best NHS community trust employer.

Our vision

Our vision is to see the health of local communities improve through partnership working, putting people at the centre and looking to the future.

Our values:

• 1) To get the basics right - For each other, local people and communities
• 2) To act with compassion and respect - For each other, local people and communities
• 3) To make a positive difference - For each other, local people and communities
• 4) To value and develop teamwork - With our partners and within DCHS
• 5) To value diversity and inclusivity - Of each other, local people and communities.

The majority of our locations offer free parking facilities for staff.

We will communicate with you regarding your application via email so please check your email account on a regular basis. If using hotmail, MSN or yahoo email accounts please check your 'junk/spam' mail regularly.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for our service and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that's job share, part time or another flexible pattern.