Social Worker (Mental Health)

Shared Services Partnership; Havant; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority service in Havant is seeking an experienced Social Worker for their Mental Health and Substance Misuse Team. The role involves managing a complex caseload, conducting assessments, and providing supervision. Applicants need to be registered with Social Work England and demonstrate a strengths-based approach. The position offers a competitive salary and the opportunity for career progression with a hybrid working model.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Occupational sick pay

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with registration.
• Ability to apply a strengths-based approach in practice.
• Sound understanding of legal frameworks and statutory duties.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of individuals' needs.
• Manage a complex caseload and supervise junior staff.
• Participate in triaging urgent cases and safeguarding referrals.
• Liaise with Health colleagues for hospital discharges.
• Hold forensic cases and collaborate with the Ministry of Justice.

Skills

Social Work qualification

Strengths-based approach

Understanding of social work issues

Compassion and empathy

Education

Registered with Social Work England (SWE)

Job description

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Job Reference: HCC621939
Salary Range: £40,643 - £48,077 per annum (inclusive of £3,000 per annum market supplement for Senior Social Workers)
Work Location: Havant Plaza, Havant (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 20 August 2025

The Role:

Joining our Mental Health and Substance Misuse Team as a qualified Social 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 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).
• 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.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Social Worker role, team and 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 and demonstrate our values, in your application.

• Make a difference: Watch this short video to find out more about the important work our Mental Health Teams do.
• Career growth: Opportunities for experienced and newly qualified social workers. Starting salary for NQSWs: £36,369 per annum for first year of employment. 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: Newly Qualified Social Worker, Senior Case Worker, 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.

Additional Information:

Social Worker (Mental Health) Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

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.