Closing date: 28 April 2026
Senior Social Worker
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Senior Social Worker to join the High Volume User (HVU) Service at University Hospital North Midlands (UHNM). The HVU team provides assessment and community-based support to patients who frequently attend A&E and impact hospital flow and waiting times. These individuals often present with complex physical, mental health, and social needs, requiring a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to reduce reliance on urgent care services and improve engagement with appropriate pathways. The post holder will manage a complex caseload, acting as the allocated practitioner. You will undertake comprehensive assessments, develop and implement care and risk management plans, and work collaboratively with health, mental health, social care, and community services to ensure individuals receive coordinated and effective support. You will deliver person‑centred interventions in patients' homes or community settings to improve outcomes and quality of life. The role includes maintaining accurate clinical records, effective communication, and acting as an advocate for service users. We are seeking a motivated, flexible, and compassionate practitioner with relevant experience and strong team‑working skills, committed to delivering high standards of care and upholding Trust values.
Main Duties of the job
The post holder will be accountable on a day‑to‑day basis to the Team Leader who will monitor and review all work through regular informal and formal supervision.
The role will involve assessing and implementing a range of interventions and providing guidance/advice and information for service users with acute or increasingly complex long‑term conditions that could include mental health needs, learning difficulties or physical health difficulties.
The post holder will be required to be an integrated and supportive member of a team, planning, actioning, monitoring and evaluating work with the supervision of the Team Leader/experienced Social Worker.
The post holder will act as an experienced and independent practitioner within the role, assessing, formulating, implementing and agreeing support and intervention for Service Users. The post holder will seek guidance and support as needed and/or in relation to high profile, complex and/or very high cost or challenging cases.
Job Responsibilities
* Carry out a range of assessments including holistic assessments, ensuring the service user is at the centre of the assessment, care and review.
* Participate on the Duty Rota where appropriate.
* Undertake assessments, signpost where relevant to other services, including Primary Health Care, providing information, advice and guidance across the spectrum of Universal services, voluntary sector, etc.
* Communicate highly complex assessment information including care and support planning and risk factors to Service Users, carers, professionals, Emergency Services, MDT and Courts, as appropriate and in line with Information Governance. Communicate sensitive issues in a skilled and appropriate manner and address any barriers to participation and understanding.
* Coordinate the signposting and/or referral of Service Users in collaboration with multi‑disciplinary colleagues and external services.
* Uphold the principles of wellbeing and ensure Service Users can access their rights and entitlements, including access to social care resources under a range of relevant statute and eligibility criteria including the Care Act (2014), The Mental Health Act (1983/2007), the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Human Rights Act (1998).
* Organise and chair more complex multi‑disciplinary meetings and professional case conferences as required, with the appropriate level of support and guidance from senior staff.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Professional Social Work qualification, DipSW, CQSW, CSS, BA, MA or equivalent.
* Current registration with the Professional Social Work regulatory body at all times.
Experience
* Significant post‑qualifying experience working with adults, older adults, learning disability or children and young people.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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