Overview
What will I be doing? Working as part of a small, supportive Learning Disability and Autism service in the East of Somerset, supporting a team of up to four Social Workers and two Adult Social Care Practitioners. You will have a close working relationship with the Service Manager, who will provide regular supervision and guidance in your role and expectations and plans for the Service and Department. Providing supervision to the Social Workers and informal support, advice and guidance to the team. We operate a duty system in both sides of the County that everyone in the team participates in and Advanced Practitioners share the responsibility of managing the duty system and rota. This offers different ways of working with the people we support for example using motivational interviewing skills and crisis intervention work and positive risk management. You will be given the opportunity to work closely with colleagues and specialist professionals to contribute to decision making as part of our weekly Peer Forum discussions. These are designed to enable a "critical friend" approach to request for increases to personal budgets and packages of care. We work closely with other specialist teams in the Authority such as Preparing for Adulthood, Commissioning, Occupational Therapy, the DOLS team, Mental Health, Safeguarding, and CHC as well as having close links and partnership working with our LD Health colleagues in Somerset Foundation Trust. We advocate working in a strength based and personalised way, operating under the three conversations model to enable people to live more independent and fulfilling lives with positive outcomes. Our goal of working with people to develop gloriously ordinary lives remains the same throughout our practice which means:
* Utilising your extensive skills and experience to guide your team to support and empower the residents of Somerset to remain independent for longer in their communities.
* Tailoring solutions around the needs of citizens and providing continuity of support and intervention.
* Promoting independence in everything your team does
* Working alongside Health and Social Care colleagues.
* Liaising with key partners to facilitate improved provision of services, team training and recruitment.
Responsibilities
* Be an accomplished social work professional with considerable experience since qualification.
* Provide supervision to Social Workers and informal support to the team; participate in a duty system with Advanced Practitioners sharing responsibility for rota management.
* Contribute to decision making in weekly Peer Forum discussions and collaborate with specialist professionals.
* Develop practice using motivational interviewing, crisis intervention and positive risk management approaches.
* Work with partner teams and LD Health colleagues to promote a strength-based, personalised approach and three conversations model.
What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?
* Be an accomplished social work professional with considerable experience since qualification.
* Have access to/use of a vehicle is an essential requirement for this role.
What’s in it for me?
* We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management and a range of employee benefits.
* This grade offers 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and the option to request to buy up to 2 weeks additional annual leave pro rata.
* Hybrid working options where the role allows.
* A clear career pathway with apprenticeships, professional, leadership and academic programmes and qualifications, regular CPD opportunities and a corporate coaching and mentoring scheme.
* A new comprehensive induction programme supported by Practice Development Advanced Practitioners, plus a confidential and impartial welcome call to ensure your induction goes smoothly.
* Ongoing support & development opportunities - regular CPD events, annual Carnival of Practice, and dedicated practice development roles to support the workforce, plus personalised development plans and coaching.
* Local Government pension scheme and employee support networks promoting diversity and equality.
* Guaranteed Interview Schemes (Disability Confident, Veterans, Care Leavers).
* Employee assistance and wellbeing services, including a free online gym offer and mental wellbeing support.
* Relocation assistance up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility).
* Access to Blue Light Card, My Staff Shop, cycle to work scheme, and other discounts.
Anything else you should know
* This is a Grade 9 post with a current salary of £41,771 to £46,142 per annum. Appointments are normally made at the bottom of the salary scale.
* Contact details for questions: Helen Readdy, Recruitment & Engagement Officer, 01823 355166 / 07977 410483 or email.
* Somerset Council offers webinars, events, Q&A sessions, networking groups, and professional development opportunities.
* We are an inclusive council and welcome applications from diverse backgrounds. Contact the hiring manager if you want to chat before applying.
* DBS disclosure information: This post requires a criminal background check via the Disclosure procedure.
About Somerset Council
We are reclaiming narratives about social work and believe in the power of lived experiences. Somerset is a rural county with good city links, countryside, and a range of attractions. We are proud of our culture and diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
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