Social Worker (Mental Health Hospital Discharge)

Job title: Social Worker (Mental Health Hospital Discharge)

Salary: PO1 £39,481 - £42,123

Hours: 37 per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Tribeca House with hybrid working, there is an expectation that you will visit The Mount Hospital on a regular basis for ward reviews

As a Social Worker (Mental Health Hospital Discharge) you'll thrive on helping people achieve positive outcomes and supporting timely, safe discharge from inpatient mental health services.

It's not about simply arranging discharges. It's about building effective relationships, applying sound professional judgement, and ensuring people receive the right support at the right time to maximise independence and recovery.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About You

As a Social Worker (Mental Health Hospital Discharge), you will bring to the role:

• A recognised social work qualification and Social Work England registration.
• Experience of working with adults with mental health needs and applying relevant legislation, including the Care Act and Mental Health Act.
• Strong assessment, risk management and care planning skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively with NHS colleagues, partner agencies, families and carers.
• Excellent communication, organisational and decision-making skills in a fast-paced environment.
  
  

About The Role

As our next Social Worker (Mental Health Hospital Discharge) you'll play a key role in supporting adults through their recovery journey and ensuring safe, person-centred discharge planning from inpatient mental health services.

This is an exciting opportunity to work directly within The Mount Hospital alongside multidisciplinary NHS colleagues. You will be part of the S117 and CHC Social Work Team. You will manage a varied caseload, undertake Care Act assessments, coordinate discharge plans, support safeguarding activity and help people access the services they need to live safely and independently in the community.

To undertake cases, demonstrating an ability to adapt the approach from first principles to deal with more complex or unusual cases, assessing and managing risks appropriately. Maintain and update case notes and other records, write reports as required; if required, give evidence in court in relation to care or other proceedings. Contribute to planning and developing of future services and policies and promote innovative ways of developing support to service users, and supervise students.

The role is integral to our Mental Health Social Work Service, a supportive and experienced team that works across health and social care systems to improve outcomes for people with complex mental health needs. You will benefit from close partnership working, regular supervision, ongoing professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful difference every day.

You will also be working on a rota basis for Mental Health Unit Duty.

What We Offer You

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
  
  

How To Apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact:

Michelle Wood, Team Manager, S117 and Continuing Healthcare Social Work Team Tel: 0113 378 0665

Email: Michelle.Wood@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our  recruitment of ex-offenders policy .

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people. 

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the  Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

Under the general direction of a Team Manager, and with support from Senior Social Workers, provide a high quality and comprehensive social work service to adults, carers and community in accordance with the organisational needs, policy and practices of the Directorate and within statutory guidelines.

The post holder must at all times carry out responsibilities within the City Council’s Policies and Procedures, in particular the Council Policies on Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety, and also within the Social Work England Professional Standards

Core Responsibilities

• To carry a caseload and undertake assessment of service users and carer needs using a person centred approach in accordance with agreed statutory and directorate procedures.
• On the basis of assessed needs and risks and, using a person centred approach, devise and implement service and support plans which correspond to the assessed needs of service users, their families and carers in line with procedures.
• Responsible for analysing information to support the ongoing needs of service users, their families and carers.
• To monitor and contribute to the review of plans relating to the assessed needs of service users, their families and carers in accordance with directorate procedures.
• To use a Safeguarding framework to investigate and manage risks where individuals have experienced or are likely to experience significant harm.
• Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative and based on an analysis of complex evidence which can be used within the legal context.
• Maintain and update case notes and other records, write reports as required.
• Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the limits of data protection.
• Be compliant with relevant governance, policy and procedures.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure an integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of service users.
• Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
• Be responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies and procedures.
• Responsible for planning and negotiating a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of service users within delegated levels of responsibility.
• Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required.
• Appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums and convene and chair multi agency meetings in line with procedures.
• Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
• To work to and within the prescribed national Professional Capabilities Framework.
• Work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal.
• To participate in training and development activities that ensures up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development.
• To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council and Directorate policies and procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under Health and Safety policy and procedures.
• To actively promote and support Leeds City Council’s and Directorate policies on Equality and Diversity.
• To undertake any other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the grade and purpose of the job as may be determined by the directorate.
  
  

Responsibilites

• Undertake Community Care assessments. Investigate complaints of alleged neglect and/or abuse of adults. Undertake safeguarding investigations in accordance with legislative requirements and Multi-agency Safeguarding procedures. Undertake risk assessments, identify needs and options.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with service users, their families and carers: provide advice and support: promote independence and early intervention, as necessary; help resolve conflict, where appropriate.
• Under clear supervision, contribute to the enhanced screening of new referrals and people already in receipt of services.
• Work with adults, carers and communities to help them make informed choices and decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.
• Where necessary work in the court arena with appropriate support to obtain and implement court order.
• Construct value for money care packages; commission a range of services for individuals, groups and communities designed to minimise risk and improve quality of life for service users and their carers.
• Contribute to the development of practice and services through participation in workshops, and consultations.
• Manage an allocated caseload of service users, regularly monitor, review and evaluate changes in service user needs and ensure that all services contribute effectively to the support plan and remain an effective use of resources.
• Work with relevant agencies, including the convening and chairing of meetings.
• Work to be undertaken with supervision and guidance from the Team Manager. This may include elements of co-working more challenging/complex casework alongside more experienced workers.
• Carry out the Practice Educator Level 1 role.
• Participate in office duty on a rota basis, responding to new referrals, assessing urgency of requests and with advice and support, if appropriate, implementing actions to meet immediate needs.
• With appropriate supervision and guidance and following a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience undertake Mental Capacity Act Assessments as set out in statute, document and evidence assessments as required within statutorily defined time frames and make recommendations for authorisation.
• Where required, following a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience to undertake social work duties with regard to the Mental Health Act 2007, including assessment and admissions, where authorised for this duty.
• Participate in the Approved Mental Health Practitioner (AMHP) rota where professionally qualified.
  
  

Specific Responsibilities For Social Workers - Transitions Team:

• To demonstrate an ability to understand how to prepare a young person for adulthood, utilising a creative approach to maximise their independence skills.
• To be able to form relationships with young people and their families, to manage change and work alongside other professionals.
  
  

Specific Responsibilities For Social Workers – Mental Health:

• Work with people aged 18+ with Mental Health issues.
  
  

Specific Responsibilities For Social Workers – Emergency Duty Team:

• To provide an out of hours city-wide high quality emergency social work service for all client groups in accordance with the organisational needs, policy and practices within Adult Social Care and Children’s services and within statutory guidelines.
• To undertake assessments under the Mental Health Act 1983 and provide responses in relation to children where they are referred as in need of protection.
• To fully participate in the EDT Duty Rota.
• Working within safeguarding procedures, to make enquiries and manage risks where children have experienced or are likely to experience significant harm.
• To provide crisis responses to carers who are in need of an urgent provision to alleviate a situation .
  
  

Qualifications

Appropriate professional qualification (BSc, BA, MA, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent). Registration with Social Work England upon commencement in post and maintain registration. The post holder should have achieved or commenced the Practice Educator Level 1 qualification after 2 years post qualification but within an agreed timescale of starting in this post.

Essential requirements It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills Required

• Able to effectively plan, manage, prioritise and evaluate work with users.
• Ability to plan, prioritise and time manage own workload.
• Able to communicate and pass information effectively, accurately and concisely with a range of partners and services users, carers and colleagues.
• Able to engage individuals, families, carers and workers from other agencies.
• Able to identify appropriate social work interventions in order to promote positive change.
• Ability to devise and implement service and support plans.
• Ability to assess the needs of and work with individuals and groups using a person centred approach.
• Ability to maintain accurate service user records, assessments and follow policy and procedure.
• Able to record, evidence and communicate using technology.
• Able to exercise individual judgement, assess risk and consult where and when appropriate.
• Ability to make proactive use of Supervision to reflect critically on practice and explore different approaches to work and understand the boundaries of professional accountability.
• Ability to develop safeguarding investigative skills.
• Ability to chair routine or less complex meetings.
  
  

Knowledge Required

• Appropriate social work professional qualification (BSc ,BA, MA, DipSW, CQSW, or equivalent).
• Registration with Social Work England
• Knowledge of the range of theories and models for Social Work intervention with individuals, families, groups and communities.
• Knowledge off relevant legislation appropriate to the needs of service users from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Awareness of the broad range of factors that impact on service users and families e.g. drugs, alcohol domestic violence.
• Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary agencies.
• Basic awareness of IT systems including Microsoft Office, Internet and Email.
• Of current, trends, policies, legislation and regulatory bodies in relation to vulnerable people within a social care setting.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of individuals, families and carers as appropriate.
• Demonstrate an awareness of needs and safeguarding issues associated with vulnerable people.
• Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities.
• Report Writing and Communications Skills.
• Completion of NQSW programme or the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).
• Approved Mental Health Professional or willing to undertake appropriate training if required on completion of 2 years post qualification experience.
• Best Interest Assessor Qualified on completion of 2 years post qualification experience if required.
  
  

Experience Required

• Of implementing a person centred/child focused approach.
• Demonstrated creativity in tackling and solving problems.
• Of advocacy and user involvement.
• Of using initiative and a commitment to developing services.
• Use of reflective practice techniques to critically analyse information to inform decision making and planning.
• Producing written records and reports to a high standard for a variety of purposes with language suited to function.
• Application of information gathering skills to make and contribute to assessments.
• Of using supervision effectively.
• Minimum of 12 months post qualification experience of working in a statutory setting.
• Experience of devising, implementing and reviewing support plans.
  
  

Behavioural & Other Related Characteristics Required

• Committed to continuous improvement.
• Identify and take account of the significance of diversity on the lives of people and show application of this understanding in practice.
• To carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under the Council’s Health & Safety Policies.
• Take responsibility for improving practice through professional development.
• Registration with Social Work England upon commencement in post and maintain yearly registration.
  
  

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Knowledge Required

• Of working with a wide range of user groups.