Social Worker-Adults -assessments / reviews / safeguarding

Location North Somerset
Salary £26.40 - £28.90 per hour
Discipline
Social Worker based in integrated Mental Health service undertaking mixed social care activity (Care Act assessments / reviews / safeguarding work) - predominantly with working age adults.  AHMP qualification desirable, but not essential.  Remote work possible, but will require some office based work for IT set up and access and some face to face work with users.  Flexible working / part time working considered 

(a) To undertake the assessment of mainly adults and older adults with mental health problems, concurrently under the provisions of the Mental Health and Community Care legislation; to plan, implement and review appropriate services following such assessment: or as an Approved Mental Health Professional under the Mental Health Act, to make application for compulsory detention in hospital under the Act, to provide expert opinion regarding continuing detention, and to co-ordinate, manage and take responsibility in conjunction with the other professionals for the health and safety of all participants (including police and ambulance crew) during the detention process. The AMHP carries a personal responsibility for these decisions. (b) To maintain contact and liaise with Service Users detained in Secure Hospital settings, with a view to the enabling a safe transfer into the Community and prepare Tribunal and pre-discharge reports. To undertake the social supervision of restricted patients subject to a conditional discharge under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 2007 and prepare social circumstances reports to the Home Office and for the Mental Health Review Tribunal, attending Tribunal Hearings to provide evidence and professional opinion when required. (c) In partnership with service users, their carers and families, to assess and coordinate service user’s health and social care needs, providing a financial assessment within the framework of the relevant legislation, Council eligibility and costing criteria and mental health and other relevant policies. (d) To develop and implement, when appropriate, care plans and ensure resources are made available, reviewing and monitoring the care plan and the quality of the service provision, making changes in response to changing needs and re-negotiating service provision where appropriate. To construct, direct and participate in a care and treatment plan for individual service users as part of their rehabilitation so as to return the person to the community. (e) To make ongoing assessments of mental state and needs of cases allocated, including assessment of risk, to ensure that service users, carers and the public are protected from harm and achieve the maximum independence possible. To contribute to the supervised discharge process for some detained patients and provide an assessment for recommendation, if required. (f) To ensure all service users, particularly those with disabilities, gain equal access to relevant community services, by intervention on their behalf or raising awareness and providing individual support and advice. (g) To establish appropriate relationships with service users, their families, carers and external agencies, promoting anti discriminatory practice and equality and enabling effective partnerships in the delivery of services. (h) To work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team within the Integrated Mental Health Service concentrating on specific areas of work as required and operating within specialised areas according to organisational needs, assisting in the development of individual skills of all staff and new approaches for improvement in service provision. (i) To promote good working relationships with other professionals within the Directorate and Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) and with external agencies, in order to achieve the best outcomes for service users, their families and carers. (j) To undertake (duty work) in the AMHP rotas for the provision of statutory mental health duties, conducting, if required, assessments regarding the potential compulsory detention and treatment of persons under the Mental Health Act 1983 (including children and people with learning difficulties). (k) To contribute to mental health training within and outside the Directorate and attend AMHP peer group supervision meetings as required, making available specialist advice and knowledge whenever relevant. To maintain a broad knowledge base of all Service User Groups and the resources that are available as alternatives to detention. (l) To maintain case and client records and undertake general administration and maintenance of systems related to the caseload, including computerised management information systems, according to relevant legislation and Directorate/AWP procedures and policies (m)To participate in the AWP Staff Appraisal system and Performance Review programmes, undertaking training and research as required and assisting in the promotion of specialist skills. (n) To be aware of and understand the Council/AWP’s Equality Scheme and ensure at all times that the duties of the post are carried out in accordance with the policy. (o) To ensure compliance with all health and safety legislation and associated codes of practice and Authority/AWP policies. (p) To undertake other duties as are required and as are commensurate with the grade of the post.