ASW - Adults Social Worker/Care Manager (Band 3)

What is attractive about this role? Why would someone come and work with you?

As a Step-Down Social Worker, you’ll play a vital role in helping our dedicated, hard-working team deliver outstanding adult social care services across Westminster and RBKC, enhancing our residents’ lives and reducing health inequalities in the process. While you help deliver our services, we’ll support you with strong senior leadership and a range of development opportunities. In this role, you’ll manage a varied caseload, ensuring effective work with our MDT partners, robust risk management, and the smooth running of the Step-Down team. We are a dynamic team who work closely with partners including Health and Community Independence Service (CIS), which comprises Homefirst, Reablement, and the Community Therapy Team (Community Physio), as well as others such as CLCH. We are looking for someone who is a self-starter and a problem solver. You will bring new ideas and energy to this well-established and highly professional team, working collaboratively with colleagues to shape future services. Exceptional communication and collaboration skills are essential to build rapport and ensure the smooth running of the Pathway 1 (P1) team. You will be able to use your initiative to manage workflow, while also benefiting from regular monthly supervision.   Responsibilities of this role - Advert Required:

Step-Down Team is a multi-disciplinary service that works closely with our health colleagues via the Discharge to Assess model to ensure that service users have appropriate care and support following hospital discharge. Our role is to complete Care Act assessments for residents in their own home environment, rehabilitation units, and other step-down settings, ensuring their needs are met in line with Section 9 of the Care Act 2014 (Duty to Assess). This includes completing relevant risk assessments and support plans as required. We are a relatively high-turnover team expected to complete assessments within specified timeframes. Within this period, appropriate care should be arranged in line with the service user’s agreed and person-centred outcomes. As a Social Worker in the Step-Down Team, you can make a meaningful contribution to the lives of vulnerable adults and older people following their discharge from hospital into the community. Working in the community alongside colleagues across different disciplines, you will assess people’s care needs and ensure they receive the support required to live safely in the community. You will be community-based and, although you will carry your own caseload, you will be part of a diverse, dynamic, and supportive team, working closely with our health partners across the bi-borough (WCC and RBKC). About You

Experience: At least one year post-qualifying experience in a Local Authority or health setting. Knowledge of relevant legislation and a fundamental understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of personalisation, independence, and choice. Experience of working with older or physically disabled people and knowledge of service provision for these groups. Knowledge and experience of Safeguarding Adults legislation. Experience of working in a Social Services duty system. Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary setting. Experience of assessment work. Experience of, and commitment to, teamwork. An understanding of, or experience in, budgets and financial controls.

Skills: Ability to carry out accurate and timely assessments and promote self-directed care. Ability to communicate clearly in writing, verbally, and through reports with service users, carers, and other professionals. Computer literacy. Ability to work independently using initiative, prioritise workload, and meet deadlines. Ability to negotiate on behalf of the commissioning authority and/or the service user with other agencies. Ability to work proactively to anticipate, prevent, and manage care breakdown or crisis. Ability to work as a team member in a multi-disciplinary service. Ability to maintain comprehensive case records, which can be shared with service users in line with Open Files Policy. Ability to undertake a comprehensive assessment of service users’ support needs. Ability to communicate professionally in a language other than English (desirable). Ability to complete robust risk assessments.

  Duties and responsibilities of this role: To undertake timely Care Act assessments and develop support plans based on assessment outcomes following hospital discharge. To incorporate, within assessments, the identification of where assistive technology can promote independence, reduce reliance on statutory services, and enable individuals to remain living in their own home wherever possible. To undertake safeguarding enquiries and all aspects of the safeguarding process as required by the service. To carry a caseload of varied range and complexity. To undertake Mental Capacity Act assessments in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. To ensure that the Care Act 2014 is implemented in all aspects of the role. To work with customers, carers, and other professionals to minimise and manage risk while enabling the customer to maintain their chosen lifestyle as far as possible. To provide advice and information to colleagues within the immediate team and to a wider range of stakeholders on the role of the social worker and the service. To work in line with council and service policies and procedures, including health and safety, data and case recording, supervision, data protection, and information governance. To participate in an urgent response/duty system as directed by the manager. To participate in service developments. To ensure that professional registration and DBS are current and up to date, and to inform management if this is not the case. To be responsible for your own CPD and participate in training, reflective practice, and team meetings as required by the service. To participate in appraisals. To ensure that the manager is kept informed of any significant events relating to the service. To participate in audits and practice evaluations when required. To undertake Best Interest Assessor (BIA) and/or Practice Educator training as appropriate as part of CPD and grade progression. To assist the Team Manager with the collection and analysis of service user and staff statistical information required for performance monitoring. To actively participate in supervision and appraisal with the line manager to assess progress, identify development needs, and seek advice from other professionals where necessary. To attend training courses, workshops, and other development opportunities required to fulfil the role and enhance professional performance. With the consent of the customer, to adopt an interdisciplinary approach and work collaboratively with partners to achieve the best outcomes. To undertake carers’ assessments and carers’ support planning. To undertake other duties commensurate with the grade of the post. The ability to work across community social work roles and step-down discharge from rehabilitation hospital settings.

Qualifications: As Social Work is a protected profession, you will be expected to hold a recognised Social Work qualification (CQSW/Diploma in Social Work or Degree in Social Work). Member of the professional register: Social Work England.