Job Description
2 - 3 Month Contract With A Local Authority
Job Purpose
The Mental Health Hospital Discharge Senior Social Worker is responsible for supporting adults with severe and enduring mental health disorders during hospital admission and discharge. This role involves managing complex social work caseloads, providing expert professional advice, and promoting best practice across the team. The post-holder ensures safe, effective, and evidence-based social work interventions in line with statutory requirements and organizational standards.
Key Responsibilities
* Manage a complex social work caseload with high levels of autonomy, including safeguarding adults.
* Conduct thorough assessments and interventions using a range of frameworks relevant to mental health practice.
* Prepare reports for Court of Protection and contribute to Panel processes as required.
* Maintain detailed, accurate, and timely records of judgments, decisions, and analyses using appropriate systems (e.g., Protocol / AIS).
* Apply knowledge of evidence-based practice and current research to decision-making.
* Demonstrate cost-consciousness and effective use of available resources.
* Provide professional supervision and guidance to other Social Workers (typically 3–6 staff), supporting reflective practice, caseload management, and career development.
* Act as a mentor or 'buddy' for new staff and trainees.
* Model professional social work standards, fostering development and professionalism across the team.
* Establish and maintain a network of internal and external colleagues to support effective practice.
* Chair professional meetings with inter-agency partners and clients.
* Contribute to team and service planning, delivering on objectives and demonstrating awareness of the team’s role within wider organizational strategy.
* Recognize discriminatory practices and take appropriate action to challenge these, supporting equity and inclusion.
* Respond proactively to emergency safety and liberty issues.
* Demonstrate compliance with statutory standards, organizational policies, and the Social Work Professional Capabilities Framework at the Experienced Social Worker level.
* Keep up to date with developments in social work practice, mental health legislation, and relevant research.
Requirements
* Qualified Social Worker with [insert number] years’ post-qualification experience in adult mental health services.
* Statutory experience managing complex cases of individuals with severe and enduring mental disorders.
* Experience providing supervision and mentoring to other social workers.
* Demonstrated experience in preparing reports for courts and participating in multi-agency panel processes.
* Expert knowledge of assessment frameworks and intervention techniques relevant to adult mental health.
* Ability to manage complex caseloads independently and make sound professional judgments.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with clients, families, and multi-agency partners.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to produce management information and analysis.
* Commitment to professional development, reflective practice, and promoting best practice in mental health social work.
Additional Information
* Bi-Weekly Payments
* 36 Working Hours Per week