(Part-time) Social Work Assistant - Community Team

Job overview

Are you looking for a part-time role and want to start your career in social work?

We're looking for a Social Work Assistant who 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 role is part-time working 22.5 hours per week.

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 within this supportive and experienced Adult CMHT. While working closely with, and being based within the multi-disciplinary team, your line management and direct support sits within the dedicated social care structure.

Social Work Assistants are a role within this structure and bring opportunities for you to extend and develop your 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.

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 older 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 older 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 older 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.

You will be required to visit people in their own homes and in placements across the south of Buckinghamshire and input directly in the Council's electronic information system, LAS. You will also train to carry out the Appropriate Adult function under the Police & Criminal Evidence Act and act in this capacity on a rota basis.

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.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.