Autism Specialist Social Worker 10111 at Norfolk County Council

Norwich, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

09 Jun, 26

Salary

41771.0

Posted On

11 Mar, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Social Work, Autism Support, Intensive Support, Human Learning Systems, Early Intervention, Crisis Support, Community Work, Multi-disciplinary Approach, Relationship-based Practice, Care Act Assessments, Mental Capacity Assessments, Safeguarding Enquiries, Carer's Assessments, Post Qualification Experience, Autism Informed Approach, Independent Living Support

Industry

Government Administration

Description

Autism Specialist Social Worker | 10111 | fixed term contract for 18 months (secondment opportunity) | 37 hours per week | £39,862 to £41,771 per annum | Grade J | Hellesdon Hospital, Norwich An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and enthusiastic Social Worker to work alongside Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust’s new Autism Intensive Support team, as part of a pilot providing specialist support to autistic adults. This pilot is part of Adult Social Services’ transformation programme. We’re evolving the way we work through a Human Learning Systems approach — focusing on relationships, understanding people’s lived experiences and learning together. The pilot also relates to the Norfolk All Age Autism Strategy 2024-29 [https://www.norfolkautismpartnership.org.uk/the-norfolk-all-age-autism-strategy/], which highlights the need to improve services for autistic people in Norfolk, and the importance of early intervention and specialist support. We believe that intervening early and providing an autism informed approach will mean that we can support autistic adults to develop skills and strategies for independent living, improve relationships and prevent crisis situations. You will be based with the Autism Intensive Support team at Hellesdon Hospital. This small pilot team offers intensive psychology-led support to a small number of autistic adults who are frequent users of emergency and crisis services. Your role will cover the whole county, and you will spend much of your time out in the community working directly with autistic people and their families, alongside health colleagues and staff from other agencies. You will develop excellent working relationships with colleagues in the Autism Intensive Support team to enable you to work together in a multi-disciplinary approach. You will work with a focused caseload, enabling meaningful, relationship-based practice, and reflecting the need to work in an intensive way with those you are supporting. You will support autistic adults to access community resources, improve relationships and develop strategies to sustain their wellbeing and live more independently. You will be responsible for carrying out statutory functions such as Care Act assessments, mental capacity assessments and safeguarding enquiries when required. You will also work with families and carers, enabling them to access support and resources that will benefit them, and completing carer’s assessments when appropriate. We are seeking somebody with at least two years’ post qualification experience, who has the experience and knowledge of autism to be able to tailor their approach to the needs of the individual, and support those around them to interact more effectively with autistic people. You will have the confidence to represent Adult Social Services in a multi-disciplinary setting and to bring a social work perspective to multi-agency working. You will be a member of the Norwich mental health social work team. You will benefit from regular supervision and support from colleagues and will also share your knowledge and skills and use the relationships you have built up with other agencies to support practitioners in working with autistic adults. You will also be a key member of the Adult Social Services autism champions network. To build meaningful relationships with the people we support, this role requires regular in-person work in both the office and community. This role is offered on a fixed term/secondment basis. It is part of an eighteen-month pilot, aimed at testing and learning what works best when supporting autistic adults to prevent the need for longer term care and support. We expect the pilot to evidence the benefits of this new way of working, and the need for this role to continue. You will support the Autism Strategic Business Lead to gather evidence of the impact of your role and will meet regularly with the pilot team (including the new Autism Assistant Practitioner in South Place) to share learning and support each other. If you are excited about the opportunity to shape a new role in Adult Social Services, then we want to hear from you. For an informal discussion, contact Karen Dures (Autism Strategic Business Lead) on 01603 679229 or Olusegun Ajayi (Team Manager, Norwich Mental Health Team) on 01953 450862. What we offer in return. Our superb support culture means whether you are at the start of your social care career or have years of experience, you will have access to advice and support when needed from managers, and great opportunities for career development. We're realistic about the challenges, but we're passionate about how we can support you to meet them, so you can enjoy the rewards social work has to offer.   If you want to use your skills to be part of an organisation which makes a positive difference to those living in Norfolk, we would love to hear from you.   Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job Description and Person Specification [https://nccjoblibrary-buhfawbxbvb6brdj.a03.azurefd.net/10111_Social Worker (Level 1 or 2)_ASSD.docx] to help you demonstrate you meet the criteria. How to Apply Please ensure you include a supporting statement in your application to demonstrate why you feel you meet the person specification and job description for this post. CVs submitted without a supporting statement about this post may not be accepted These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council: * Competitive salary * Generous holiday entitlement * Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service * Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependent on your job role and business need. * Financial benefits such as: * ‘Norfolk Rewards’ [https://norfolk.rewardgateway.co.uk/Authentication/Start] our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out. * A Blue Light card [https://www.bluelightcard.co.uk/] for Fire Service and Social Care Workers * Relocation expenses (where applicable) * An advance of your expenses if you travel for work * Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions. * Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes * Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility) * A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job You can find information on our Terms and Conditions [https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/jobs-training-and-volunteering/work-at-norfolk-county-council/vacancies/recruitment-information-for-candidates] here. Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for internal and external vacancies in myOracle [https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https://fa-eqie-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/faces/FndOverview?macKey=ACA1GN/cSRKlOeLU&_afrLoop=8587015335213240&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=mx7eds1sa&_adf.ctrl-state=qofe3tmob_108&_afrFS=16&_afrMT=screen&_afrMFW=1163&_afrMFH=525&_afrMFDW=1280&_afrMFDH=720&_afrMFC=8&_afrMFCI=0&_afrMFM=0&_afrMFR=158&_afrMFG=0&_afrMFS=0&_afrMFO=0&data=05|01|emma.croll@norfolk.gov.uk|711048ee91fb439ca0df08dab8f3665c|1419177e57e04f0faff0fd61b549d10e|0|0|638025652768647030|Unknown|TWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0=|3000|||&sdata=ZyIhjqXgq6+G/TmYvqyLbRm/Z/VHZfFXi4/YMeOq+p8=&reserved=0] using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email. We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position. Redeployment closing date: 18 March 2026 All other applicants closing date: 07 April 2026 We have miles of beautiful coastline and our unique Broads, thriving market towns and a city with a proud cultural heritage. Our economy is growing and driven by innovation in a number of sectors, including energy and food. We also have ambitious plans for new housing and a building programme for schools across Norfolk. Our county a great place to live, work and visit, and is an excellent environment for businesses to start, grow and innovate. We are the main local authority for Norfolk providing services countywide to more than 850,000 Norfolk residents. We take the lead in critical policy areas, working with 84 elected Members responsible for the strategic local government services in the county. We provide a high quality service through involving people who use our services to shape and comment on them and by promoting efficiency and innovation. We work in partnership with local businesses, voluntary organisations and other local authorities such as District and Parish Councils to provide the people of Norfolk with excellent services.

Responsibilities

The role involves working intensively with a focused caseload of autistic adults, providing specialist support to improve their wellbeing and independence, alongside their families and carers. Responsibilities include carrying out statutory functions such as Care Act assessments, mental capacity assessments, and safeguarding enquiries when necessary.