Assistant Social Worker

Job overview

Are you in the care sector and looking to progress? Or looking for your first step into social care?

We are recruiting a Social Care Assistant to join the Bucks Social Care team. Social Work Assistants will carry out a range of social care tasks including assessment of need and review of existing packages of care for service users and carers under the Care Act.

This is a  post which has arisen out of the revised s75 agreement between Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Buckinghamshire Council which was implemented in September 2022.

You will arrange for care packages to be set up or amended in line with Care Act and s117 (MHA) eligibility criteria. Training and support to develop your existing knowledge and skills is available.  You will be working in a team that is responsible for working with clients' to help prevent them requiring secondary mental health support.

You will be working across  Buckinghamshire county with a dedicated team of social workers and Assistant social workers.  Your line management and direct support sits within the dedicated social care structure.

The post-holder will be required to visit people in their own homes and in placements across Buckinghamshire and input directly in the Council's electronic information system, LAS. There is an expectation for the post-holder to train to carry out the Appropriate Adult function under the Police & Criminal Evidence Act and act in this capacity on a rota basis.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake Care Act assessments for  adults and their carers  who are ordinarily resident in Buckinghamshire and appear to be in need of care and support.
• Using a strengths-based approach you will help  adults and their families make best use of community resources to support them to live as independently as possible.
• Arrange for commissioned services to be put in place where necessary, in line with eligibility and Council policy.
• Review existing packages of care in line with the Care Act and s117 MHA.
• You will develop a good understanding of the Council's charging and top-up and choice policies and give information and advice to adults and their families when assessing and arranging care and support.
• Work jointly with Social Worker and health colleagues to deliver a supportive and empowering service to adults and their families.

Applicants must have a full valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work. Adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 where required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The  s75 consultation has created a  structure for delivering social care within Oxford Health in Buckinghamshire and streamlined the management and reporting processes. Social care staff remain co-located and work in dedicated CMHT teams, while benefitting from supervision and line-management within the social care framework.

Social Work Assistants are a role within this structure and bring opportunities for workers to extend and develop their skills and knowledge. There are opportunities for career progression into Buckinghamshire Council's Apprenticeship programme to become a qualified Social Worker. Training and development opportunities are available from both Oxford Health and Buckinghamshire Council which provide a wide range of options for learning and development.

To assess and review the needs of clients referred to or already within the service. To develop high quality assessment, reviews and plans which focus on both which focus on both independence for and outcomes desired by the individual. To work in partnership with other professionals and organisations.

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the “supporting statement” element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.