Social Worker

Role Responsibility

4 Social Worker posts available – base will either be Dover or Folkestone; however high percentage of time will be remote due to ongoing COVID-19.  

As we regroup after almost 2 years of COVID-19 and the virtual working we find ourselves in again, we are really excited to engage in some exciting developments that will enable us to develop a service based on national guidance which places the person, rather than their label at the centre of our practice.

Through the application of strengths-based practice we seek to collaborate with our colleagues across all avenues of adult social care provision to make a difference by getting the right assessment and support at the right time ensuring that interventions/professionals wrap around the individual and ensure that the response they receive is person centred and local in delivery. This will ensure that individuals are enabled to secure the support they require without having to repeat their story. The South Kent Coast Mental Health Social Care Service is proud to adopt and promote this approach to adult social care and is working closely with colleagues in Autism, Short Term Pathways, hospital discharge, older persons and physical disability, 18+ team, Enablement teams and Learning Disability.

Due to the recent promotion of social work team members, we are actively seeking qualified social workers who are keen to contribute to making an effective difference to the people of Southeast Kent. Through working within a locality model, you will have opportunities to develop your practice and knowledge base not only regarding mental ill health, but also the myriad of issues that affect an adult population.

The role will offer you plenty of opportunities to both undertake and contribute to training initiatives and in-house core training courses, while assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating appropriate care and support plans. We are committed to working in co-production with service users and carers, utilising a strengths-based approach which maximises self-determination and empowerment. Working alongside multi-disciplinary colleagues both internally and externally, and with other agencies, including Acute and Community Trusts, Primary Care Services, and the voluntary sector, you will support service users and carers to develop personalised care and support plans which draw on community resources to achieve the most positive outcomes.

You will be registered as a social worker with Social Work England, you will have a degree in Social Work, CQSW/Dipsw or equivalent. You will also have the following.

• Evidence of successful completion of the Assessed and Supported year in Employment (ASYE).
• Good working knowledge of all relevant Mental Health and Social Care legislation and Codes of Practice including a sound working knowledge of the Care Act 2014 with the ability to work in partnership with people, the Kent Enablement and Recovery Service (KERS) and with our Strategic Partners to help identify services or resources in the community that can support well-being.
• You must also have a good understanding of Social Work England requirements.
• A robust working knowledge of mental health conditions and treatments, and approaches to social work interventions.
• Excellent computer literacy, report writing skills, interpersonal skills, mediation and negotiation skills are essential to the role.

Our offer

• Full induction and comprehensive professional learning and development through the Social Care Capability Framework supported by the Social Care Academy we have in Kent County Council.
• Regular and supportive supervision.
• External Newly Qualified Social Worker applicants are currently eligible for a £2000 “Golden Hello” payment after appointment.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service and registration as a qualified Social Worker with Social Work England.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

The ability to travel across a wide geographical area in a timely and flexible manner at various times of the day is essential.

Contact Details

For further information on this role, please contact Nick Esson, Team manager, on 0300 451 871 or Sam Wanstall, Consultant Social Worker, on 03000 411269

About the Company

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds and faiths, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note – if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.