About Us
West Sussex County Council is a diverse organisation that provides services to more than 850,000 residents. At West Sussex County Council there is a supportive culture and employees are genuinely valued and respected. We are committed to fostering personal growth, with ongoing professional development and continuous learning at the heart of our culture.
We’re embracing a strength based approach and working within a community‑led support model that builds on the assets and strengths of both people and their local communities. Together, we’ll focus on prevention, enablement, reablement and safety, to promote wellbeing and independence.
We’ll ensure that residents, families, and communities have the right support in place, and at the right time. We provide a working environment that values professional supervision and offers the right balance between challenge and support.
About the Job
* Salary: £38,862 to £42,839 per annum (grade 10) to £44,075 to £47,181 per annum (grade 11)
* Working Pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week
* Contract Type: Permanent
* Location: Littlehampton office base with county wide travel
As a Mental Health Social Work Discharge Team Social Worker/Senior Social Worker you will be part of a dynamic social work service conducting strengths‑based assessments in complex situations. You will apply relevant legislation and advanced social work skills to develop and implement support plans that enhance wellbeing and achieve positive outcomes, while also contributing to safeguarding efforts.
You will manage a complex caseload, collaborating with individuals and their family or friend carers, conducting strengths‑based assessments and reviews to identify eligible needs and personalised outcomes.
You will apply your social work skills to develop and implement support plans that improve wellbeing and meet eligible needs, while utilising community assets.
You will collaborate effectively with staff and voluntary agencies, demonstrating a strong understanding of relevant health, voluntary, and private services in the area. You will stay informed and compliant with legislation, organizational procedures, policies, and the Social Work England professional standards to maintain a high‑quality, seamless service.
Your office base will be in Littlehampton, with opportunities to work hybrid from home part of the week. You will need to take an organised approach whilst exercising your expertise with knowledge of policies and legislations to support those in need.
There will also be a requirement for you to work flexibly to support customers, carers and families, sometimes out of normal office hours. You will be required to travel county wide, including to locations that are not always easily accessible by public transport so it is desirable for you to have a driving licence.
Experience and Skills
Key Skills & Qualifications
1. Experience of working proactively as a member of the team to make an accurate strengths‑based assessment of needs in complex situations and negotiate and implement effective plans and outcomes (in line with relevant legislation).
2. Demonstrable evidence of leadership skills when working in partnership with people, carers, colleagues and a variety of external agencies in complex situations to meet people’s outcomes.
3. Experience of managing situations with complex and competing risks, utilising a risk enablement approach and using evidence‑based practice.
4. Experience of analysis and interpretation of complex people related information and data to prioritise needs and formulate plans for intervention and service provision.
5. Experience of leading on safeguarding enquiries.
6. Ability to provide supervision and develop the capabilities of less experienced social care practitioners including contributing to performance management. Mentor and coach students and apprentices.
7. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a range of stakeholders to provide clear advice and guidance and interventions.
8. Ability to recognise the limits of own accountability and responsibility, and to seek appropriate support, advice, and supervision, and to prioritise and organise work and meet agreed performance expectations.
9. Sound and accurate IT skills to ensure effective record keeping, compliant with data protection and respecting confidentiality.
* A Degree in Social Work or a recognised equivalent Social Work qualification e.g., Diploma in Social Work.
* Registered with Social Work England
* Experience of undertaking assessments in complex situations and social work intervention planning, implementation, and review by means of creative and pragmatic solutions.
* Extensive experience of working in partnership with those who access the service and maintaining a focus on the needs and strengths of the people, and the outcomes they want to achieve, whilst handling conflict and disagreement.
* Experience of managing risk within a risk enablement approach
* Excellent, up‑to‑date working knowledge of relevant legislation e.g., Care Act (2014), Mental Capacity Act (2005) etc.
* Valid, full driving licence. Desirable
Rewards and Benefits
For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.
Further Information
The reference number for this role is CAFHE06340.
For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Nicola Perriman (Senior Social Work Practitioner) at nicola.perriman@westsussex.gov.uk or Lisa Freeman (Senior SocialWork Practitioner) at isa.freeman@westsussex.gov.uk. For issues or queries regarding your application please contact hrrecruitment@westsussex.gov.uk.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to Social Work England registration, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.
West Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting an environment that is inclusive and free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of its people. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and take every possible step to ensure that no individual will be disadvantaged.
For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veteran’s Guaranteed Interview Scheme (if you meet all the essential criteria), this can be found on our application help page.
Note for Recruitment Agencies: We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a supplier list for when we need a helping hand. We’ll be in touch directly if we need you!
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