Immediate Start Available
Job Alert - CHC Social Worker (Adults) - Somerset Council
Salary: £315 Per Day
Hours: 37 Hours
Working Schedule: Monday to Friday
Contract Length: 12 Months
Location: The Crescent, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY
2 Days on Site – Rest from Home.
Job Details
The postholder must have in-depth knowledge of NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) eligibility, including the lawful limits of local authority provision under section 22 of the Care Act 2014, and extensive experience completing CHC assessments and the Decision Support Tool (DST) across a range of settings.
As a core member of the multi-disciplinary team, you will represent the local authority perspective, constructively challenge to support robust decision-making, and consider potential joint funding arrangements.
Job Description – Social Worker
Key Responsibilities
Undertake ongoing assessments of allocated cases, reflecting individual circumstances, risks, strengths, and needs, promoting independence while safeguarding service users from significant harm.
Manage a caseload of varying complexity, appropriate to experience and qualifications, receiving and responding to referrals from multiple sources.
Apply Community Care legislation, the Integrated Care Programme Approach, and risk assessment frameworks to protect individuals’ safety and wellbeing.
Complete statutory assessments, reviews, and care planning in compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
Assess service user needs in collaboration with individuals, carers, and partner professionals, agreeing appropriate levels of support.
Engage effectively with individuals who refuse services but present risks to themselves or others, using sensitive negotiation where there is conflict or lack of insight.
Respond promptly to individuals presenting in crisis, using appropriate legislation, resources, and professional judgement to achieve timely resolution.
Undertake statutory carers’ assessments (including young carers) and develop carers’ support plans.
Prepare and present high-quality written assessments, reports, and statements to support decision-making by managers, courts, and partner agencies.
Maintain accurate, timely, and legally compliant case records in line with policy and practice standards.
Plan, commission, and review care and support services, negotiating care provision and resources where appropriate.
Work collaboratively with internal services, NHS partners, independent, voluntary, and private sector providers to deliver needs-led services.
Multi-Agency & Partnership Working
Develop and maintain effective professional relationships with service users, families, carers, and partner agencies including health, housing, police, and voluntary organisations.
Contribute to multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working, attending case conferences, team meetings, and acting as a link worker where required.
Enable families and carers to address issues impacting health, wellbeing, and social functioning.
Promote equality, diversity, and human rights through anti-discriminatory practice.
Specialist Responsibilities
Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC), including lawful limits of local authority provision under Section 22 of the Care Act 2014.
Complete CHC assessments and Decision Support Tools (DST) across a range of settings.
Represent the local authority within multi-disciplinary teams, constructively challenging and contributing to robust funding decisions, including joint funding arrangements.
Act as an Appropriate Adult in complex cases under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984.
Administer corporate appointeeships and assess the need for Court of Protection applications for individuals lacking capacity to manage finances.
Protect the property (including animals) of service users admitted to hospital.
Participate in duty rotas, responding to referrals and enquiries as required.
Supervise unqualified staff, vocational trainees, or students as directed by the Team Manager.
Contribute to service development, projects, and policy improvement initiatives.
Professional Development & Systems
Use IT systems effectively to record, manage, and retrieve client information in line with data protection and practice requirements.
Maintain and develop professional knowledge through research, training, and post-qualifying development programmes.
Contribute to the development of best practice, policy, and service improvement.
Additional Information
Typically supervises up to two staff members.
Works as part of a multi-disciplinary team, including hospital-based colleagues.
Role involves working across multiple settings, including offices, hospitals, and service users’ homes.
Lone working is required in accordance with health and safety policies.
The postholder must promote and safeguard the welfare of vulnerable adults.
A satisfactory DBS check is required.
Fluency in spoken English is essential for this customer-facing role.
If you to wish to discuss this position further, please send over an up-to-date CV and give me a call on (phone number removed)