Social Worker (Mental Health)

Hampshire County Council; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional local authority in Basingstoke is seeking a qualified and experienced Social Worker to join their Mental Health and Substance Misuse Team. This role involves conducting assessments, managing complex cases, and collaborating with healthcare professionals. Ideal candidates will be registered with Social Work England and have experience in a statutory setting. The position offers hybrid working and focuses on providing compassionate support to individuals in need.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Professional development opportunities

Pension scheme access

Qualifications

• Must have a Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
• Experience in statutory social work settings is essential.
• Understanding of social service statutory duties required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments of individuals' needs.
• Manage a complex caseload and supervise others.
• Liaise with health colleagues for hospital discharges.

Skills

Social Work qualification

Experience in a UK-based statutory setting

Understanding of legal frameworks

Compassion and empathy

Education

Registered with Social Work England

Job description

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Social Worker (Mental Health)

Job Reference: HCC623080

Salary Range: £40,643 - £48,077 per annum inclusive of £3,000 per annum market supplement for Senior Social Workers

Work Location: Dame Mary Fagan House, Basingstoke (Hybrid Working)

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 4 February 2026

Interview Date: 19 & 20 February 2026

The Role:

Joining ourMental Health and Substance Misuse Teamas a qualifiedand experiencedSocial Worker, you’ll be innovative, person-centred and committed to working in a strengths-based way.

You’ll enjoy working in a team that thrives on supporting each other, sharing experiences and learnings to encourage continuous improvement. We have varied experience and backgrounds across the team, with regular opportunities for training and ongoing development.

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 tofacilitate hospital discharges.
• Holding forensic cases and working closely with the Ministry of Justice.

What we’re looking for:

• Social Work qualificationand registered withSocial Work England (SWE). Due to the needs of the team, we’reunable to consider Newly Qualified Social Workers for this post.
• Experience working in a UK-based statutory setting.
• A sound understanding of how to apply a strengths-based approach.
• Understanding of social work issues, legalframeworksand social services’ statutory duties.
• Commitment todemonstratingour values and behaviours, showing compassion,empathyand respect.

Take a lookat ourCandidate Pack for more information about the Social Workerrole,teamand our values. The section‘About you’explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements anddemonstrateour values, in your application.

• Make a difference:Watch this shortvideo to find out more about the important work our Mental Health Teams do.
• Career growth:View ourcareer 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’llsupport you to complete yourAMHP training and give you the opportunity to complete AMHP work alongside your Social Work duties. Whenyou’vecompleted your AMHP training,you’llbe 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 informationhere.

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

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

Travel Requirements:

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

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.