Social Worker - Discharge to Assess Hospital Team

Reading Borough Council; England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the United Kingdom is seeking a dedicated Social Worker to join their Discharge to Assess Hospital Team. This role involves conducting assessments, care planning, and working closely with adults, families, and healthcare providers to ensure safe transitions from hospital to home. The ideal candidate will possess a degree in Social Work and have a strong understanding of relevant legislation. Benefits include generous holiday entitlement, flexible working, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Access to training and learning opportunities

Flexible working opportunities

On-site day nursery

Season Ticket Loan

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent in Social Work is required.
• Registration with Social Work England is necessary.
• Understanding of the Care Act 2014.

Responsibilities

• Complete timely Care Act assessments for high-intensity cases.
• Develop strong relationships with providers and health professionals.
• Conduct post-discharge reviews to ensure appropriate care plans.

Skills

Assessment

Care planning

Team collaboration

Strong communication

Education

Degree in Social Work

Job description

Are you a Social Worker looking to make a tangible impact in people’s lives while gaining broad experience in hospital social work? Join our Discharge to Assess Hospital Team and help adults transition safely from hospital to home, promoting independence, wellbeing, and positive outcomes.

This is a frontline, high-impact role where you will work with adults who need timely assessment, reablement‑focused interventions, and support to live safely at home. You’ll be part of a supportive, friendly, and well‑led team, working alongside health professionals, community services, and families to deliver excellent adult social care.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

As a Social Worker in the Discharge to Assess Hospital Team, you will:

Assessments & Care Planning

• Complete timely Care Act assessments for high‑intensity cases
• Conduct post‑discharge reviews to ensure care plans meet eligible needs
• Promote reablement approaches and the use of direct payments to support independence

Working with People & Carers

• Work closely with adults, families, and carers, completing carers assessments where required
• Ensure interventions are strengths‑based and person‑centred, promoting choice and control

Team & Provider Collaboration

• Develop strong relationships with providers, community services, and health professionals
• Support and supervise staff, deputising for senior workers when needed
• Contribute to the team’s efficiency, high performance, and embedding the principles of TEAM Reading

You will apply your professional judgement within the legal and statutory framework, ensuring interventions are safe, effective, and proportionate.

Team Objectives

The Discharge to Assess Hospital Team works closely with other teams in Adult Services who are involved with the delivery of Adult Social Care. We work closely with individuals that have been admitted to hospital to promote the home first principle with a strength base ethos to get the best outcomes for the individuals that we work with. Our aim is to be a high performing, efficient, multidisciplinary team with a clear Team purpose and values that supports staff and values the skills and diversity within and around the team. You will hold a varied caseload and contribute to the team performance and positive outcomes for our residents.

This post offers opportunities to improve your skills and experience in Adult Social Care with high quality, client‑led, interventions to service users in their own homes, in a friendly and supportive team.

Requirements

• A degree or equivalent in Social Work
• Registration with Social Work England
• Understanding of the Care Act 2014

We offer excellent support, supervision and induction. You will have access to our Learning and Development programme and be supported in your career and personal growth with opportunities to learn and develop new clinical skills, helping you to build your Continuing Professional Development portfolio, extending your skills and supporting you to grow as a social worker.

We work closely with our colleagues in Reading Borough Council, Health Professionals, Voluntary and Charity colleagues to facilitate the best possible outcomes for those people we support. You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

• Work Together as one team – work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
• Drive Efficiency – show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
• Be Ambitious – be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
• Make a Difference to Reading – maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave
• Maternity, adoption, parental and sick pay
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Access to a range of training and learning opportunities to help you develop
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• On‑site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work

If you would like to find out more about this role and the team, please contact: Shaun Rogers (Discharge to assess Team Manager) on 07870 483 310 or [e-mail]

Closing date: Sunday 8th February 2026

Interview date: To be confirmed

Visit: www.moretoreading.co.uk to find out more about Reading’s Community & Adult Social Care Services. It’s a chance to hear from the people who already work here and why they have chosen Reading as their professional destination.