Social Worker (Mental Health)

Hampshire County Council; Andover; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market supplement

AMHP pathway bonus

Training & development

Local Government Pension Scheme

Annual leave

Job summary

Hampshire County Council is seeking a Social Worker (Mental Health) for its Adult Social Care team in Andover. The role is permanent, 37 hours per week, with a market supplement for senior posts and a strong emphasis on person-centred, strengths-based practice.

The post supports transformation of the Mental Health Service, collaboration with health partners, and opportunities for professional growth, training and development throughout the service.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a UK-based adults’ statutory setting.
• Strong understanding of applying a strengths-based approach.
• Understanding of social work issues, legal frameworks and statutory duties.
• Commitment to compassion, empathy and respect in practice.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of individuals’ needs and available support.
• Manage a complex caseload and provide supervision and guidance on complex cases.
• Triage urgent cases and safeguarding referrals; make informed decisions.
• Liaise with Health colleagues to facilitate hospital discharges.
• Hold forensic cases and work closely with the Ministry of Justice.

Skills

Adults’ statutory setting experience

Strengths-based approach

Legal frameworks understanding

Compassion & empathy

Education

Social Work qualification and SWE registration

Job description

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Social Worker (Mental Health)

Job Reference: HCC624300

Salary Range: £41,985 - £49,565 per annum, inclusive of £3,000 per annum Market Supplement for Senior Social Workers

Hours per week: 37 (Part time hours will be considered)

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 28 October 2026

The Role:

Joining our Mental Health and Substance Misuse Team as aqualified and experienced Social Worker, you’ll bring creativity, compassion and a strong commitment to person centred, strengths-based practice. You’ll be part of a supportive team that values collaboration, shared learning and continuous professional growth, with plenty of opportunities for training and development.

Our Mental Health Service is entering an exciting period of transformation, reshaping how we work and adopting innovative, needs led approaches to improve outcomes for the people we support. You’ll play an active role in this evolving landscape – contributing to new ways of working, strengthening collaboration with health partners, and helping us enhance our engagement with individuals who are hardest to reach. It’s a great opportunity to be part of a service that’s moving forward and to help shape positive change through your day-to-day practice.

What you’ll be doing:

• Conducting comprehensive assessments of individuals' needs and available support.
• Managing a complex caseload whilst providing supervision for Case Workers and Senior Case Workers and practice advice on complex cases.
• Participating in duty to triage urgent cases as well as triaging safeguarding referrals and making informed decisions.
• Liaising with colleagues in Health to facilitate hospital discharges.
• Holding forensic cases and working closely with the Ministry of Justice.

What we’re looking for:

• Social Work qualification and registered with Social Work England (SWE). Due to the needs of the team, we’re unable to consider Newly Qualified Social Workers for this post.
• Experience working in a UK-based adults’ statutory setting.
• A sound understanding of how to apply a strengths-based approach.
• Understanding of social work issues, legal frameworks and social services’ statutory duties.
• Commitment to demonstrating our values and behaviours, showing compassion, empathy and respect.

• Make a difference:Watch this shortvideo to find out more about the important work our Mental Health Teams do.
• Career growth: View our career pathways for more information about opportunities within our Adults Social Work service.
• Excellent Practice Validation:Progress to a Senior Social Worker role through our Excellent Practice Validation programme. Our Senior Social Workers are paid a market supplement of £3,000 per annum.
• AMHP pathway: We’ll support you to complete your AMHP training and give you the opportunity to complete AMHP work alongside your Social Work duties. When you’ve completed your AMHP training, you’ll be eligible for a market supplement of up to £2,500 per annum.
• Professional development:Continuous learning and supportive supervision.
• Work-life balance:Enjoy a fulfilling career with a good balance between work and home life.
• Employee support: Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package: Including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here .

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

Other job titles you may be searching for may include: Welfare Worker, Social Services, Case Manager, Social Work Practitioner.

Values Based Recruitment:

We recruit for attitudes and values in Adults’ Health and Care. We invite you to evidence how you demonstrate our 5 core values in your application. For more information on our values, please refer to the candidate pack.

This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.