Job overview
We have a vacancy for an Senior Social Worker to join the Adult Community Mental Health Service (ACMHS) in North West Hertfordshire.
Are you interested in working with an outstanding Trust to develop and deliver community treatment in mental health?
We welcome diversity in our workforce and encourage applicants from people of all ages and backgrounds, such as those with lived experience of mental health difficulties.
This role covers two mental health teams; Dacorum and St. Albans.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will:
- oversee and co-ordinate responses to safeguarding concerns raised working closely with members of the leadership teams
- identify safeguarding plans to mitigate risk to the person
- make decisions where situations are complex
- use a person centered approach to develop personalised solutions for adults at risk of abuse, and their families
- have experience of undertaking Safeguarding Adults enquiries in Hertfordshire
- have a good working knowledge of social care and safeguarding duties under the Care Act 2014.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a more extensive Job Description please read documents attached
Act as the lead manager in safeguarding concerns / enquiries including assessment and management of risk, knowing how to intervene proportionately and ensuring people are protected from harm, while protecting their human rights.
Act as the lead professional when an adult is at risk of social exclusion and assist people to deal with adverse circumstance such as poor health, poverty, inadequate living conditions; as well as maximising the strength of individuals, their families and their communities.
Act as the lead professional where a person is severely constrained by social or family circumstance and provides support to achieve a reasonable degree to independence and autonomy.
Act as the lead professional when a person’s health or capacity is deteriorating or likely to deteriorate (without intervention) and the alternative may be premature admission to institutional forms of care or a legal intervention by the state.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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.
Person specification
Relevant Experience
Essential
- Works with vulnerable adults and or children within a health and social care setting
- Involvement in multi-agency work
- Experience of student supervision
- Applied use of Social Care & Health Care legislation
- Safeguarding processes and investigations
Desirable
- Applied use of at least one of the following of Mental capacity Act; Mental Health Act; care Management; Continuing Health Care, Care Programme Approach
- Experience of Staff supervision & development planning
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Exceptional communication & interpersonal skills with individuals, families, groups, staff
- Strong IT skills; reporting, recording, written
- Ability to assess and record eligible and non-eligible needs, drawing on evidence based practice to inform your response
- Acts in a self-directed, proactive way to identify / develop opportunities ideas & innovation
- Keeps calm and focussed under pressurised and challenging circumstances
Desirable
- Mentors, coaches, supports and supervises other social work staff to be accountable, proactive, innovative, autonomous and to enhance performance
- Analytically interprets research, audits, case law and present to colleagues in an accessible way to inform practice
- Actively and creatively develops team members’ capabilities in line with service objectives and professional standards
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Registered mental health professional appropriate to the job role (nursing, OT, SW)
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
- Completion of mentorship /preceptorship Course/ENB equivalent, or intention to complete
- Approved Mental Health Practitioner
- Practice Educator Qualification
- Best Interest Assessor practitioner
Knowledge/Applied understanding
Essential
- Adult Social care and legislation, strategies and guidance relevant to the post
- Safeguarding statutory responsibilities, including Making Safeguarding Personal
- Risk management and positive risk taking
- Human rights legislation and how these laws protect the rights of adults
- Working as part of a multi-disciplinary /multi-agency team
- The personalisation agenda and applying creative problem solving to maximise independence
Desirable
- Working within a scheme of delegated authority
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Social Worker with Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust in The Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1LD. It is listed as a Band 7 role. The advertised salary is £51,657 - £58,785 per annum, pro rata (Inclusive of 5% HCAS). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 03 Sep 2026.
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