Social Worker

EAST LONDON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; Dunstable; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A health service provider in Dunstable is seeking a qualified Social Worker to provide high-quality social care services within the community mental health team. The role involves assessing, planning, and coordinating care for adults facing mental health challenges. Candidates should have a registration with Social Work England and relevant experience in health or social care settings. The position offers opportunities for professional development and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Relocation assistance up to £10,000

Flexible working arrangements

Professional training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• 1 year of post-qualifying experience in a relevant health or social care setting.
• Desirable: post-qualification experience in mental health services.
• Proven experience working within an NHS/Local Authority environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive Care Act assessments and reviews.
• Lead the promotion of adult safeguarding practices.
• Commission appropriate health and social care services for users.

Skills

Experience in a multi-disciplinary environment

Ability to negotiate and lead

Commitment to equality and diversity issues

Self-motivated and open to new ideas

Education

Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England

Degree level education

Job description

About the Role

Dunstable Community Mental Health Team provides compassionate, person‑centred interventions to people experiencing mental ill‑health in the towns of Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard. Social Workers in the mental health team have access to brand new facilities at the newly opened Grove View Health and Care Hub, strengthening ELFT's award‑winning social care presence.

As a Social Worker in this team you will be registered with Social Work England and will work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team, providing high‑quality social care services to adults experiencing mental ill‑health. The core functions of the role include assessment, care planning and coordination of care from a social perspective. You will hold a caseload of adults with a wide range of mental health and social care needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive Care Act assessments and reviews for people with complex health and social care needs, ensuring eligibility criteria are assessed against the Care Act 2014.
• Take a lead in the promotion of adult safeguarding practice, undertake safeguarding enquiries, and contribute to the provision of care plans that protect both adults and children from abuse.
• Commission appropriate health and social care services on behalf of service users; promote the use of direct payments in commissioning service‑user and carer plans.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and keep vulnerable people safe from harm.
• Maintain accurate records of all work on the service users' electronic patient record.
• Liaise with acute inpatient units, the Crisis Team, primary‑care services, the voluntary and private sector, and contribute to a recovery‑focused model of care.
• Play an active role in the discharge of service users from hospital and in commissioning necessary services.
• Provide management and reflective supervision to newly‑qualified Social Workers and Support Workers, and support them through the ASYE programme, with opportunities to train as an ASYE assessor.
• Participate in regular supervision, maintain and reflect on professional practice, and ensure continuous professional development in line with Social Work England standards.
• Assist as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or acquire AMHP training, and participate in the AMHP role where required.
• Carry out other delegated social‑care responsibilities accepted by the Trust on behalf of Central Bedfordshire Council, and adhere to Trust policies and procedures.

Person Specification

Essential: Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England, 1 year of post‑qualifying experience in a relevant health or social care setting (or newly qualified social worker with relevant pre‑qualifying experience).

Desirable: Post‑qualification experience within mental health services; previous appointment as an AMHP or Best Interest Assessor; education to degree level; relevant specialist postgraduate training.

Experience, Skills & Qualities

• Experience of working within a multi‑disciplinary environment/community.
• Experience of attending funding panels and commissioning care packages.
• Experience of working within an NHS/Local Authority environment and an understanding of issues, policies and practice within these environments.
• Car or full driving licence; ability to travel between Trust sites throughout the county.
• Flexible working to support work‑life balance and improving working lives.
• Team player, able to negotiate and lead other professionals whilst considering competing views and agendas.
• Ability to work independently with initiative, seeking appropriate guidance and supervision when required.
• Self‑motivated, committed and open to new ideas and experiences.
• Committed to equal opportunities, equality and diversity issues, anti‑discriminatory and anti‑oppressive practice.
• Committed to core social work values, recognising that protection is sometimes required and should be carried out in the least restrictive manner observing human and civil rights.
• A commitment to leadership & change management.

Training & Development

The Senior Social Worker and the Social Care Lead provide intensive support and professional supervision. ELFT offers an established ASYE programme for newly qualified social workers, with CPD pathways beyond the ASYE including AMHP/Leadership Academy/AMCP/Practice Educator/ASYE Assessor training structures. Bespoke training opportunities are available as part of the yearly appraisal. You will also be supported to pursue AMHP training and leadership roles.

Quality Improvement & Values

Quality improvement is a key part of our work: we have a global reputation for quality improvement and are committed to the Five Year Strategy and the NHS Long‑Term Strategy. ELFT is rated outstanding by the CQC and has consistently been recognised as a top place to work. Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive.

ELFT is committed to diversity and aims for a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applicants with lived experience of health difficulties and a background that enriches our staff and service users.

Other Information

Flexibility: we support flexible working arrangements, including job share, part‑time or other patterns. We also offer a relocation scheme that may provide up to £10,000 for removal and associated expenses, subject to change and terms and conditions.

For more information or to apply, please visit the central Bedfordshire website or contact the Dunstable Community Mental Health Team.