Social Care Assessor

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust; Ilkeston; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free staff parking

Job summary

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust in Ilkeston is seeking a motivated Social Care professional to join the Community Support Beds team. The role covers Bennerley Fields Care Home and Ilkeston Hospital, with potential to work across other community locations.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team to support patients through recovery, discharge planning and safe transitions home or to longer-term care, ensuring person-centred care and timely progression through

Qualifications

• Knowledge of legislation, policies and client social needs gained through diploma-level training.
• Experience in social care, health or community settings.
• Knowledge of Care Act 2014, discharge pathways and safeguarding.
• Knowledge of local authority funding, CHC and community services.
• Knowledge of local resources and voluntary sector networks.

Responsibilities

• Undertake holistic, strengths-based assessments to identify care needs.
• Develop and review person-centred care and discharge plans.
• Support assessment, rehabilitation and discharge planning.
• Collaborate with families, healthcare professionals and partner agencies.
• Provide emotional support and guidance during recovery and discharge.
• Assist safe, timely discharges to home or care settings.
• Maintain records in line with governance standards.

Skills

Holistic assessment

Discharge planning

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Diploma level training

Tools

Case management systems

Job description

Main area Social Care Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (some weekend working on a rota basis) Job ref 842-CCS-7990-26

Site Bennerley Fields Town Ilkeston Salary £28,392 - £31,157 pa, pro-rata Salary period Yearly Closing 20/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 01/12/2026

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.

Be outstanding – join an outstanding team!

Job overview

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate individual to join our P2 Community Support Beds team, supporting people through their recovery and discharge journey within community-based settings. The role is primarily based across Bennerley Fields Care Home and Ilkeston Hospital, with opportunities to work across other community support bed locations as required.

Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will support individuals who no longer require acute hospital care but need short-term assessment, rehabilitation, recovery, or discharge planning support before returning home or moving to a longer-term care setting. You will work closely with healthcare professionals, social care colleagues, the person themselves, families, and care providers to ensure safe, person-centred care and timely progression through services.

This is a rewarding role for someone who is passionate about helping people maximise their independence, achieve positive outcomes, and experience seamless transitions between health and social care services. The post holder will need excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills, along with the ability to build effective working relationships across a range of partner organisations.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake holistic, strengths-based assessments to identify a person's health, social care, wellbeing and support needs.
• Contribute to the development, implementation and review of person-centred care and discharge plans, promoting independence and recovery.
• Support assessment, rehabilitation and discharge planning process to ensure safe and timely transitions of care.
• Work collaboratively with families, carers, healthcare professionals and partner agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Provide emotional support, information and guidance to the person and their families throughout their recovery and discharge journey.
• Facilitate safe, timely discharges to home, community services or longer-term care settings as appropriate.
• Promote independence, choice and wellbeing through a strengths-based and person-centred approach.
• Recognise, escal ... respond to safeguarding concerns in line with local safeguarding procedures and organisational policies to protect vulnerable adults.
• Develop an understanding of relevant legislation and be able to explain non-complex legal, social care and welfare matters, including the Care Act 2014 and Equality Act 2010.
• Maintain accurate records in line with professional, organisational and information governance standards.
• Build effective working relationships with health, social care and voluntary sector partners to support integrated care delivery.

Working for our organisation

The Purpose and Activities of DCHS?

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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Person specification

Qualifications/experience

• 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.
• 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

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

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.

If you require any support in completing the application form please do not hesitate to contact the Recruitment Team, 01332 564856, option 1, option 1 or [e-mail] and we will be happy to provide assistance.

Please note - if we receive a high number of applications for this position we reserve the right to withdraw the post before the closing date, therefore it is advisable that you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate’s individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety.

Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements.

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.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

Please be aware this vacancy will close when it has hit a certain number of applications, even if this is before the listed closing date. We recommend you complete and submit your application as soon as you are able.

Name Sian Paddon Job title Social Work Service Manager Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01246 252917 Additional information

Fiona Rushbrook

General Manager - Community First County

[e-mail]

07920 365229