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Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time experienced Social Worker to join our dynamic multi-disciplinary Community Mental Health Team serving the needs of older people within the population of Luton.

Social workers in ELFT work across a range of settings including Adult and Older Person’s Mental Health, Forensic, Crisis and CAMH’s Services and increasingly in Primary Care settings.

There are social workers in various management posts across ELFT including a Director of Social Work and a Learning and Development Lead for Social Work.

Wherever the base, ELFT values the skills and contribution of social workers and encourages them to maintain the requirements of their professional registration and will uphold the values and practice of Social Work across the organisation.

We want social workers to feel valued and supported in ELFT and to promote and support social work as a profession.

We will offer you:

• Training and development opportunities specific to social work including ASYE, AMHP training and PE training
• Social work professional supervision
• Social work forums and seminars
• A voice in the organisation and recognition of the skills and values you bring
• The opportunity to progress through the organisation as a social worker in a senior role

If you would like to know more about working in ELFT as a social worker, please contact Kerenhappuch Tazvivinga

Mobile: 07554370031

Direct Dial Tel: 01582657590

Social Workers within Luton are embedded within the Mental Health Teams under a Section 75 agreement which requires them to deliver the statutory duties under the Care Act 2014. Social Workers will be working with members of the multidisciplinary team including CPN’s, Doctors, Psychologists, Support Workers and Occupational Therapists.

As we move forward with the development of the NHS Long Term Plan and the vision for Community Mental Health, our social workers will be at the heart of achieving the aspirations of the service users and carers we work with providing the opportunity to focus on people’s assets and strengths and to consider holistic, creative solutions to support the individual.

Social Workers will endorse and act in accordance with the principles of personalisation within The Care Act 2014 to ensure that care and support is person centred and as far as possible places people in control of their own lives. In doing so they will carry out assessments of need in accordance with The Care Act, plan and deliver services and review outcomes with the individual, their personal networks and support providers.

Section 42 of The Care Act requires that the local authority must make enquiries if it believes that an adult is experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse or neglect. It is vital that Social Workers within Mental Health services possess a high level of knowledge and skills within the safeguarding arena to ensure a high standard of enquiries and investigations. The ability to work with other agencies is also a key skill to ensure that service users receive their desired outcomes under the Making Safeguarding Personal guidance.

Social Workers are expected to work in partnership with service users and carers, identifying and utilising strengths and working closely with other agencies and voluntary groups to ensure good outcomes which, as far as possible, maintain independence. Social Workers will have a good working knowledge of The Care Act, Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act/DOLS and other social care legislation. Within the team it is vital that Social Workers maintain a social perspective to their work and promote social care issues within the team.

We have Social Workers who are also Practice Educators and ASYE assessors and are currently promoting this training. ELFT are currently part of a pilot programme for ASYE training of newly qualified social workers. ELFT and Luton Borough Council offer training opportunities to support Social Workers to maintain their professional registration with Social Work England. We believe the natural progression for a Social Worker within Mental Health Services is to strive towards completing their Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) training and this is something that we will expect and you will be supported to do.

We are proud to work with the diverse communities of Luton and want our workforce to reflect this diversity, which we believe is beneficial for our employees, the organisation and the communities we serve. It is an exciting time to be joining Mental Health Services as a Social Worker in ELFT and the Social Care Management team are committed to supporting your continued development

Key Responsibilities:
Quality of Service Provision• To be responsible for an identified community caseload, ensuring high standard of professional conduct to comply with best practice and professional accountabilities.

• To deliver delegated statutory social care duties under the Care Act, Safeguarding and other relevant legislation in a complex, multi-disciplinary environment.
• To access appropriate care and support packages for people with mental health needs, and/or their carers, adhering to local authority procedures.
• To practice as an Approved Mental Health professional (AMHP), or be willing to train and deliver duties and responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983.
• To promote a service user focussed service
• Participate in audits and survey relevant to the team
• To participate in development of new policies and procedures as required
• Ensure that clients receive a culturally competent service and that Equal Opportunities and Human Rights are recognised and respected.
• To establish and maintain good relationships with service users, carers and voluntary sector colleagues
• To provide best evidence practice to service users which complies with legislation, policies and procedures and relevant quality, governance and local and national guidelines.
• Liaise with General Practice and Primary Care colleagues to promote partnership working

Service Improvement• To adhere to Health & Safety requirements

• To be aware of the Trust Complaints Policy in order to promote excellence of service and consumer satisfaction.
• Attend statutory training and ensure continuing professional development
• Awareness and understanding of effective use of risk management techniques
• Awareness of service standards/targets and ensure they are being met
• Knowledge of national and international best practice and innovation and implementation
• Participate in Quality Improvement (QI)

Staff Management• To provide supervision to all support staff as required

• To mentor / supervise trainees as directed by deputy / team manager
• To coordinate the day-to-day activity and manage the workload of the team in the absence of the deputy/team manager
• Support newly qualified (ASYE) Social Workers following relevant training

Financial Management• To be responsible for the safe use of equipment and resources within the workplace.

Data Quality and Administration

• To adhere to the Trusts policies on Record Keeping and Care Programme Approach.
• Ensure data is input accurately into the relevant information system

Statement on Employment Policies

In addition to the requirement of all employees to co-operate in the implementation of Employment related policies, your attention is drawn to the following individual employee responsibilities: -

Health and Safety

Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 it is the responsibility of individual employees at every level to take care of their own health and safety at work and that of others who may be affected by their acts at work, and to co-operate with management in complying with health and safety obligations, particularly by reporting promptly any defects, risks or potential hazards.

Equal Opportunities

ELFT is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees, job applicants and service users. We are committed to ensuring that no one will be discriminated against on the grounds of race, colour, creed, ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation or marital status. The Trust commits itself to promote equal opportunities and value diversity and will keep under review its policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, users and providers of its services are treated according to their needs.

For management posts, to ensure that within their service area fair employment practice and equality of opportunity are delivered.

Dealing With Harassment/

Bullying In The Workplace

The Trust believes employees have the right to be treated with respect and to work in a harmonious and supportive working environment free from any form of harassment and / or bullying.

The Trust has taken positive steps to ensure that bullying and harassment does not occur in the workplace and that procedures exist to resolve complaints as well as to provide support to staff. It is your responsibility as an employee to abide by and support these steps so all employees can work in a harmonious, friendly and supportive working environment free of any harassment or intimidation based on individual differences.

Disciplinary action will be taken against any member of staff found to be transgressing the Harassment and Bullying Policy.

No Smoking

To refrain from smoking in any of the organisations premises not designated as a smoking area.

Alcohol

To recognise that even small amounts of alcohol can impair work performance and affect one’s ability to deal with patients and the public in a proper and acceptable manner. Consumption of alcohol during work hours in not permitted.

Confidentiality

As an employee of the Trust the post-holder may have access to confidential information. The post holder must safeguard at all times, the confidentiality of information relating to patients/clients and staff and under no circumstances should they disclose this information to an unauthorised person within or outside the Trust. The post-holder must ensure compliance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998, Caldicott requirements and the Trust’s Information and IM&T Security Policy.

To safeguard at all times, the confidentiality of information relating to patients/clients and staff.

Data Protection Act

Data Protection – Your Data

To maintain the confidentiality of all electronically stored personal data in line with the provision of the Data Protection Act.

As part of your employment with East London Foundation Trust, we will need to Maintain personal information relating to your work on your personal file. You have a right to request access to your personal file via the Human Resources Department.

To carry out as per Data Protection Act responsibilities with regard to the access and

Health Records Act 1990.

Safeguarding

All employees must carry out their responsibilities in such a way as to minimise risk of harm to children, young people and adults and to safeguard and promote their welfare in accordance with current legislation, statutory guidance and Trust policies and procedures. Employees should undertake safeguarding training and receive safeguarding supervision appropriate to their role.

Service User and Carer Involvement

ELFT is committed to developing effective user and carer involvement at all stages in the delivery of care. All employees are required to make positive efforts to support and promote successful user and carer participation as part of their day to day work.

Personal Development

Each employee’s development will be assessed using the Trust’s Personal Development Review (PDR) process. You will have the opportunity to discuss your development needs with your Manager on an annual basis, with regular reviews.

Clinical Governance

As an employee of the trust you are expected to support the Trust's clinical governance framework for monitoring and improving standards of care. You must do this by: -

• taking part in activities for improving quality
• identifying and managing risks
• maintaining your continuous professional development

Professional Standards

To maintain standards as set by professional regulatory bodies as appropriate.

Conflict of Interests

You are not precluded from accepting employment outside your position with the Trust. However such other employment must not in any way hinder or conflict with the interests of your work for the Trust and must be with the knowledge of your line manager.

Risk Management

Risk Management involves the culture, processes and structures that are directed towards the effective management of potential opportunities and adverse effects. Every employee must co-operate with the Trust to enable all statutory duties to be applied and work to standards set out in the Risk Management Strategy.

Personal and Professional

The Trust is accredited as an Investor in People employer and is Development/Investors in People consequently committed to developing its staff. You will have access to appropriate development opportunities from the Trust’s training programme as identified within your knowledge and skills appraisal/personal development plan.

Infection Control

Infection Control is everyone's responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non-clinical, are required to adhere to the Trusts' Infection Prevention and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the burden of all Healthcare Associated Infections including MRSA. In particular, all staff have the following key responsibilities:

Staff must observe stringent hand hygiene. Alcohol rub should be used on entry to and exit from all clinical areas. Hands should be washed before and after following all patient contact. Alcohol hand rub before and after patient contact may be used instead of hand washing in some clinical situations.

Staff members have a duty to attend infection control training provided for them by the Trust as set in the infection control policy.

Staff members who develop an infection that may be transmissible to patients have a duty to contact Occupational Health.

Factors

Essential

Desirable

How

Tested

Educational/ Qualification

• Qualified Social Worker registered- with Social Work England
• Educated to Degree Level
• Relevant specialist post qualifying/post graduate training

A/I

Experience

• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary environment/community experience.
• Experience of attending funding panel and care commissioning
• Experience of working within an

NHS/Local Authority environment and an understanding of the issues/ policies/ practice within these environments.

• Post-qualification experience within mental health services
• Previous appointment as an AMHP /Best Interest Assessor (BIA)

NB Social Workers are expected to train and practise as AMHP’s

as

A/I

Knowledge/Skills

• Understanding a range of models of mental disorder and the treatment options.
• Comprehensive understanding of the social determinants of mental illness and interventions to support recovery.
• Ability to conduct safeguarding enquiries and investigations when required
• Working knowledge of the

The Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and other social care & mental health legislation, policy & guidance

• Ability to assess manage complex and high risk situations effectively
• A thorough working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and subsequent amendments



A/I