The posting
Position Title: Social Worker - Mental Health
Main Purpose of Post:
To assess and manage the complex needs of people with a mental health issue and their carers to ensure their health, wellbeing and promote social inclusion.
To liaise with professionals to ensure seamless care pathways which safeguard and promote independence.
To promote joint working which supports the person centred outcomes to be delivered for people with a mental health issue.
To undertake safeguarding investigations as required.
To assist the Local Authority to meet their statutory obligations under Mental Health Measure and the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and others.
Undertake the role of an AMHP to deliver on the Local Authorities statutory requirements within the MHA 1983.
Principal Responsibilities:
To ensure the needs of people with mental health and their carers are assessed holistically, support negotiated, monitored and reviewed within the first six weeks
Maintaining own allocated caseload.
- To assess risks to people with a mental health issues and others in a way that promotes independence of service users and their carers ensuring the necessary safeguards are in place.
- To make recommendations about allocating scarce resources are made.
- To ensure equal opportunity and respect for diversity and difference is promoted.
- To ensure social inclusion of isolated and vulnerable people is promoted.
- Abuse of vulnerable adults is investigated.
- To work collaboratively with other agencies.
- Accountable for actions through effective, accurate recording of decisions in line with policy and legislation.
- Safeguarding the welfare of a vulnerable person at immediate risk of harm.
- Engaging in direct work with people with mental health issues and carer/s to carry out assessment for people with mental health.
- In working with people with mental health issues and carers, social workers seek to enhance their problem solving capacities in a way that support maximum independence and choice.
- Considering with people with mental health issues and their carers options to best meet assessed eligible needs and assist in making informed decisions.
- Undertaking the role of an AMHP
- Mental Capacity Act assessments and Best Interests decisions alongside advocates where appropriate.
- Adopting a creative and holistic approach whilst exploring options.
- Seeking to maximise the financial and material resources available to service users from all possible sources.
- Recording unmet need.
- Collating the findings of the assessment and completing assessment documentation in accordance with statutory guidance, legislation and departmental procedures and timescales.
- Preparing court and other specialist reports in the required format.
- Ensuring case file recording and all relevant documentation is completed in accordance with departmental policy and procedures.
- Manage conflict effectively within individual, family and professional situations
- Use professional assertiveness to justify decisions and uphold professional social work practice
- Appropriately challenge judgements and decisions of others where there is evidence that the needs of those you are working with are not being met
- Convening and/or attending interagency meetings/ liaison e.g. case conferences.
- Obtaining managerial/panel agreement for personal plan of care delivery.
- Recording and disseminating care and treatments plan in accordance with statutory requirements, legislation and departmental procedures.
- As well as individual caseloads, having an important role to play both directly and indirectly in shaping services.
- Understand budget and resource implications in constructing high quality and value for money care provision Encourage service users where appropriate to consider positive risk taking to move forward with their lives
- Delegating monitoring task (if appropriate) to another individual e.g. reviewing officer, care provider following six week review
- Arranging and co-ordinating review of the Care and Treatment Plan for ongoing caseload.
- Engaging directly with people with mental health issues / families / carers / in the review of the Care and Treatment Plan and agreeing changes where necessary.
- Negotiating and agreeing changes to plan with providers and other agencies involved.
- Ensuring that people with mental health are aware of complaints procedures and advocacy services.
- Contributing to the professional development of others by acting as a mentor for newly qualified practitioners undertaking professional training following first year in practice.
- Timely administration of all aspects of caseload Preparing and engaging in professional supervision with Line Manager.
- Establishing and maintaining good working relationships with colleagues.
- Identifying and addressing areas for professional development and training.
- Complying with Welsh language requirements of the position (no competency level).
- Adhere to health and safety advice and guidance
- Challenge discrimination and abide by the principles and practice as laid down in the Councils Equal Opportunities Policy.
- Safeguarding
- This position has a requirement for an Enhanced DBS and ISA registration as it is classed as Regulated Activity under the Vetting and Barring Guidance, 2009.
- This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
- Demonstrating Continual Professional Development including meeting the requirements of Social Care Wales for continued registration as a Social Worker.
- Sharing skills, knowledge and learning with colleagues in other specialisms.
- Continue to meet the requirements of the national occupational standards in social work and adhere to the code of practice for social workers
- Undertake post-qualifying training which include practice assessor module, best interest assessor, AMHP or post qualifying assessing.
- Use a range of methods at appropriate times to seek feedback on your performance from service users, carers, colleagues, managers and mentors in order to reflect on your practice.
- Prepare for and engage in practice observations by your line manager or Case Work Manager
- Contribute to team /peer learning programmes.
- Strive to be an effective team player
- Record and agree with your manager examples of your progress and learning in order to meet re registration requirements
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Experience
- 12 months post qualifying experience of working with people with mental health issues and their carers
- Experience of undertaking assessments of need and identifying and managing risks.
- Experience of complex casework
- Experience of care management across the range of health and social care settings
Knowledge
- Understanding of an individuals mental health needs and their carers needs.
- Understanding of safeguarding and the issues affecting people with mental health needs and their carers
- Knowledge of current legislation, national guidance and best practice relevant to the post.
- Knowledge and implementation of the Mental Capacity Act
Qualifications & Training
- Appropriate social work qualification (i.e. Degree in Social Work, DipSW or equivalent).
- Registration as Social Worker with CCW/CQC
- AMHP or willingness to undertake training at the first opportunity following appointment to post.
Safeguarding Requirements
Requirement to undertake an Enhanced DBS Check
Skills
- Good communication skills, written and verbal.
- Good IT skills.
- Ability to organise, prioritise and manage a caseload.
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships
- Ability to manage crisis, conflict resolution and challenging behaviours
- Ability to demonstrate a commitment to equal opportunities and non-discriminatory practice.
- Commitment to the principles of confidentiality.
- Must have knowledge and commitment to the principles of social care as embodied in relevant legislation.
Other requirements
Current driving licence or ability to travel extensively around the county.
