Overview
Join East Sussex County Council’s Community Learning Disability Service, where your professional expertise will help adults live independent, fulfilled lives within their communities. We are recruiting 5 experienced and committed Social Workers who are confident working in a complex legal and safeguarding landscape. Offices are based in Hastings and Uckfield.
You'll be part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team committed to strengths-based practice and person-centred care. Whether you’re seeking to expand your skills in legal frameworks, safeguarding, or mental capacity work, East Sussex is the place to do it. The role involves managing complex caseloads, prioritising cases with Court of Protection deadlines and safeguarding needs, and acting as Lead Enquiry Officer in Section 42 Safeguarding Enquiries under the Care Act 2014.
Responsibilities
* Apply the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) in practice and make Best Interests decisions.
* Contribute to community Deprivation of Liberty (DoL) assessments and applications to the Court of Protection (s21A/s16).
* Work collaboratively with partner agencies, legal teams, and health professionals, and attend court where required.
* Potentially apply transferable legal experience such as Mental Health Tribunals or Magistrates Court warrants.
* Hold responsibilities as Lead Enquiry Officer in safeguarding and ensure compliance with safeguarding processes.
Qualifications and Experience
* Registered Social Worker with proven post-qualifying experience in adult social care.
* In-depth understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, Best Interests decision-making, and legal authority in tenancy and finances.
* Familiarity with Court of Protection processes and timelines.
* Desirable: BIA trained or PEPS accredited; knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983.
* Resilience and flexibility to manage a dynamic and complex caseload.
* Ability to meet travel requirements across East Sussex, including rural areas.
Benefits and Career Development
* Hybrid working arrangements.
* Supportive team and professional development opportunities, including pathways to Best Interests Assessor (BIA) and Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS).
* Generous annual leave and family-friendly policies; extensive employee benefits and wellbeing support.
How to Apply
To apply, upload a CV with a supporting statement. Tell us how your skills, experience, and values make you a great fit for this role and ensure your statement clearly addresses how you meet all the criteria in the person specification. Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more information. For guidance on how to write an application, see our how to apply page. Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams within 2 weeks of the closing date. Priority status may apply during shortlisting.
About the Role and Additional Information
We would really like you to choose the Learning Disability service for your next step in social work.
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services. For more information, visit gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record. An overseas police check is required if you have lived or worked abroad. Starting salary will be pro rata if part-time or term-time only. If sponsorship is required to work in the UK, please indicate this in your application. Further information is available at gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to enable participation in the process, please contact the hiring manager.
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