Senior Social Worker – Adult Services (ID 04269)

DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Senior Social Worker � Adult Services

Service: Adult Social Care and Housing

Service Area: Adult Social Care

Responsible to: Team Manager

Job ID Number / Date Issued:  ID 04269 Job Purpose

To deliver a high quality social work service to adults and their families to achieve positive outcomes in line with the Service's visions and priorities. Social Workers are expected to provide support and to develop resilience and independence, ensuring that adults and their families are at the centre of decision making about their lives and the outcomes that they want to achieve without compromising their safety.

The social worker will develop an understanding of the culture, health and social needs of the locality or community to inform practice.

Basic preventative work will be undertaken in order to reduce the need for managed care or accommodation and where necessary the social worker will make and support placement arrangements and future plans for individuals. Principal Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Job Specific Principle Accountabilities Provide a direct social work service to those adults and families who are identified as in need of care and support in accordance with statute, national and regional policies and guidelines, incorporating an outcome focussed approach, identifying appropriate service responses at different levels to achieve this. Work in partnership and develop effective relationships with colleagues in other Social Service sections, private and voluntary sector, Health and Emergency services to deliver an integrated response to meeting need. Build effective relationships and work in partnership with adults and their families/carers to identify and meet needs and ensure that the rights of the individual are safeguarded. Ensure that the statutory timescales for assessment and review are met. Use Collaborative skills approaches, to support the effective participation of citizens in the assessment, care planning and review processes, ensuring they are at the centre of the decision making. Respond to safeguarding concerns in accordance with the Wales Safeguarding Procedures 2019. Carry out safeguarding investigations and complete risk assessments. Contribute to the preparation and presentation of reports and plans at Strategy meetings, reviews and Case Conferences. Work in partnership with other Social Service areas, developing knowledge and awareness of what is available to ensure access to a range of early and preventative interventions which are community based. Maintain professional accountability for the allocation of resources in accordance with service criteria, legislation, financial and other regulations of the council. Ensure an early and effective response to concerns or complaints. Support adults and their families / carers to actively participate in the development of the service. Prepare appropriately for and contribute effectively to meetings. Chair meetings where required, quality assuring the record/minutes of these meetings.  This applies particularly to Integrated Care and Support plan review meetings, Best Interests Meetings and Multidisciplinary Meetings. Prepare written reports for a range of purposes, ensuring they are accurate, coherent, complete and up to date, containing detailed analysis when required. Attend team meetings and contribute to the development of the service Maintain a specific caseload of varied complexity. Use research, theory, evidence based practice and other problem solving methodology in achieving good outcomes for adults and their families and carers. Maintain good recording practices, ensuring records are accurate, coherent, up to date and completed in a timely manner. Ensure that time specific tasks are completed within timescale, and act upon telephone, electronic and written communication received in a timely manner. Immediately bring to the attention of the Team Manager, and in their absence or as appropriate the Deputy Team Manager, any matters of concern or special interest and seek guidance and support with complex decision making. Promote anti-discriminatory practices and act in a non-oppressive way towards individuals, carers and colleagues. Provide a positive role model in relation to conduct within the workplace including good workload and time management. Exercise responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act and respond promptly and robustly in relation to these regulations.

Professional Development You must maintain your professional registration and comply with post-registration training and learning, continue in professional education and learning, and fitness to practise requirements. Prepare for and participate in professional supervision and performance development reviews to support personal development and adherence to professional standards. Attend training and seminars designed to develop the personal and professional expertise of the post and disseminate knowledge and learning to colleagues across the service as appropriate.

Corporate Duties & Responsibilities

Compliance with the Authority's Policies and Procedures and to make known to Senior Officers any areas which are not adequately covered.

To participate actively in supporting the Authority's principles and practices of equality of opportunity as laid down within the Equalities Policy.

To be responsible for the application of Health & Safety practices within the daily operations, sharing a common responsibility for Health & Safety across the department, directorate and Authority as a whole.

Employees will be required to give certain information relating to themselves in order that the Authority may properly carry out its duties, rights and obligations as an employer.  The Authority will process and control such data principally for personnel, administrative and payroll purposes.

As a term of your employment and in order to maintain effective departmental operations, you may be required to undertake any other reasonable task, commensurate with your grade, as determined by your Line Manager or Head of Service.

To be responsible for establishing good working relationships both internally and externally.

Denbighshire is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable groups. All Council employees are expected to be aware of the Corporate Safeguarding Policy and their responsibility to report any concerns in the appropriate manner and timescales.

Resources/Equipment/Material N/A Supervision/Management of People

Develop skills to be able to delegate casework and support work effectively and appropriately, providing advice and guidance in a clear and holistic manner to facilitate change and maximise potential. Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience

Qualification in Social Work i.e. Degree in Social Work or recognised predecessor equivalent such as DipSW.

Be registered with the Care Council for Wales as a Social Worker and re-register at three yearly intervals.

At the end of Year 2 having completed 1st year in practice requirements, be able to demonstrate an initial consolidation of Social Work practice.

An approved Continued Professional Education and Learning (CPEL Consolidation Programme should commence on completion of the First Year in Practice and be completed by the time the person is 3 years post qualified.

On completion of CPEL Consolidation Programme a portfolio of evidence will need to collated for progression to grade 9

Special Working Conditions

When working alone (providing face to face service at various locations around Denbighshire or in clients' own homes) the postholder must be aware of the need to work within the parameters of the Lone Working Policy and be aware of their own health and safety.

There will be a requirement to work within assigned localities, and the ability to travel is essential for the role.

There will be the expectation that you will respond to service needs outside of your locality as and when required by the management team.

The postholder will work on the Duty System Rotas, as set out by the relevant Manager . Employment Checks/ Specific Requirements

A DBS Check is required for this role due to one to one contact with citizens and carers

All new starters are required to undergo our standard safer recruitment checks; DBS clearance, 2 satisfactory references covering 3 years' employment, evidence of essential qualifications, evidence of Right to Work in the UK.

Denbighshire County Council recognises its obligations to safeguard children and adults together with preventing slavery and human trafficking and will do all in its power to prevent slavery and human trafficking within its business. Modern slavery can take many forms including the trafficking of people, forced labour, servitude and slavery.

Safeguarding is everyone's business and all Denbighshire employees are required to work in accordance with the Council's Child and Adult Safeguarding policies and procedures and have a duty to report any concerns which may be noted during the course of their duties and are asked to be alert to the signs of exploitation. Concerns should be raised via their Designated Safeguarding Manager in order that the Council can take prompt action when exploitation is identified. Vision/Context

Adult Social Care and Housing Vision

Our vision is to support individuals to maintain or recover their independence by providing early intervention and prevention services that also support the development of individuals' and communities' resilience and not reliance on formal care services. The social care part of the service is also focused on providing and commissioning high quality care and support services for those in greatest need but this is still with a focus on the principles of least intervention and reducing dependence. This vision is delivered through working in partnership with local communities, health, the 3rd sector and others to deliver both mainstream and targeted services that promote independence and resilience. Our vision is supported by legislation contained in the  Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014  and the  Housing Act (Wales) 2014 . The post holder, will be expected to provide advice for cases in the field they specialise in and will provide support and guidance to the Social Care Practitioners in undertaking less complex cases.  Taking the lead on good practice, they will attain high professional standards in relation to their work. Denbighshire County Council Person Specification

The Person Specification sets out the skills, knowledge and experience that are considered to be necessary to carry out the duties of the post effectively. It will be used in the short-listing and interview process for this post. You should demonstrate on your application form how you meet these criteria as you will only be shortlisted if you meet all of the essential criteria.

  Grade 9

Senior Social Worker ID 04269 Qualifications Qualification in Social Work i.e. Degree or Social Work predecessor e.g. DipSW

Registration with the Care Council as a �social worker�

For Social Workers qualified from 2012: Attainment of the CPEL Consolidation in Social work programme

Relevant Experience Able to demonstrate working to national occupational standard for Social Work and the Care Council for Wales Code of Practice for Social Care Workers.

Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary multi-agency setting and developing effective relationships.

Experience and evidence of working with complex cases and using Safeguarding procedures.

Knowledge and Skills Detailed knowledge of relevant legislation, Government initiatives and the implications especially the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act  2014 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005

Knowledge and demonstration of the values of social work

Excellent written communication and recording skills

Efficient administrative skills and familiarity with Information Technology and Information Systems.

The ability to actively reflect and evaluate own practice and implement changes

The ability to work within agreed boundaries.

Using  meaningful conversations and observation skills to work with individuals to identify needs and desired outcomes.

Evidence of commitment to continued professional development. Evidence that professional principles, codes and values of Social work are underpinning work in relation to anti discriminatory and inclusive practice, and team professional development is enhanced by contributing to this process. Practice and performance standards are consistently applied and achieved.

Experience of assessing the complex needs of individuals and their carers in a person centred outcome focussed way and packages of care negotiated, monitored and reviewed.

Ability to ensure risks to individuals and others are assessed and balanced in a way that promotes empowerment, self determination, independence and choice for service users and their carers is essential.

The ability to explore and apply creative solutions to achieving outcomes

To have research skills which can be utilised in service development

Personal Qualities Ability to comprehend and work within Organisational policies to meet the differing needs of service users and staff.

Ability to work collaboratively with service users, cares and other professionals

Effective team player, providing support and mentorship to peers on a practical and emotional level when necessary.

Enthusiasm, self-motivation and ability to influence.

The  ability to evaluate own and others� practice and implement changes.

Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills and a facilitative style to ensure understanding and progress for service users, support staff  and less experienced colleagues.

Ability to effectively Chair multidisciplinary meetings

Resilience in a pressurised environment. The ability to support others working in stressful situations.

Role model excellent professional practice conduct and learning

The ability to  influence and adapt positively to change within the working environment and practices and to support others through that change.

Willingness to ensure integrated practice by supporting the changing structures and processes to achieve multi-disciplinary working.

Any Other Requirements / Information To demonstrate awareness of the Welsh Language and culture within the working environment.

Excellent time management and organisational skills.

Has a flexible and positive approach to duties, working patterns, locations and hours making full use of modern technology and flexible working systems  and encourages the same in others

The ability to travel is a requirement of the post