Social Worker - Mental Health

Location: Barnet
Band and Scale Range: I
Reports to: Team Leader or Lead Practitioner
Service Area: Adults and Communities

The Social Worker - Mental Health provides high-quality social work services to adults with mental health needs and their carers, adhering to legislative requirements and council policies. This role operates within a multidisciplinary team, focusing on enablement, recovery, and achieving social care outcomes defined by the Department of Health's Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework.

1. Social Work Provision:

   • Deliver social work services in compliance with relevant legislation.
   • Provide professional support to adults with mental health issues and their carers.
   • Perform complex assessments and manage care packages requiring professional input.

2. Enablement and Personalised Support:

   • Conduct individual assessments and facilitate self-assessments.
   • Develop and implement personalised, outcomes-led support packages that promote independence.
   • Conduct risk assessments and refer individuals for Mental Health Act assessments as needed.
   • Perform Mental Capacity Act/best interest assessments to support individuals in demonstrating capacity.

3. Case Management:

   • Manage an allocated caseload in compliance with statutory requirements and council policies.
   • Facilitate group work aligned with the recovery and enablement model of mental health.
   • Liaise with local services, specialist teams, and other agencies to deliver holistic services.

4. Client and Community Engagement:

   • Engage with service users, advocates, relatives, and carers to ensure their involvement in assessment, support, and review processes.
   • Maintain knowledge of local provisions and make referrals to specialist teams and providers as necessary.
   • Support clients in understanding personalised budgets, direct payments, and self-funding options.

5. Professional Development and Compliance:

   • Supervise and support Assessment and Enablement Officers.
   • Participate in professional development to maintain registration and competency.
   • Ensure compliance with Adult Social Services policies and relevant statutory frameworks.

6. Administrative Duties:

   • Maintain accurate and timely records of communication, decisions, actions, and outcomes.
   • Attend and contribute to meetings, prepare reports, and represent the service at external forums.
   • Monitor and review support plans regularly to ensure compliance with service targets.

7. Safeguarding and Risk Management:

   • Promote and safeguard the welfare of service users, adhering to Barnet procedures.
   • Act as a Best Interest Assessor for Deprivation of Liberty assessments, where trained and competent.
   • Handle situations of conflict and manage difficult conversations with service users, families, and professionals.

Essential:

• Registered as a Social Worker with the General Social Care Council.
• CQSW/DipSW or equivalent qualification.
• Relevant training in legislation, safeguarding, and the Mental Health Act.
• Experience working as a practicing Social Worker with a similar client group.
• Strong understanding of the enablement approach and social care needs of adults with mental health issues.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Desirable:

• Accredited Best Interest Assessor.
• Experience supervising staff.
• Knowledge of specialist areas within social work, such as self-harm or autism/mental health.

• Uphold the council's commitment to equality of opportunity and diversity.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality in all aspects of work.
• Ensure services are sensitive to the needs of all people, celebrating diversity and challenging discrimination.

• Be prepared to carry out other reasonable duties as requested by the line manager.
• Adapt to changing business and client needs, demonstrating a flexible approach to work.

Contact Phil Puaca at Ackerman Pierce on (phone number removed),