Qualified Social Worker - North Locality Team (Adults)

at  Buckinghamshire Council

OVERVIEW

Come join the fantastic North Locality Team! We are a vibrant community team based in Midshires Offices right in the heart of Aylesbury. In addition to the salary advertised, you will receive a market premium of £2,275 per annum, you will also receive a ‘Golden Hello’ lump-sum payment of £2000 paid on successful completion of your probationary period. We have both permanent and fixed-term contract opportunities available.
Despite the challenges that Adult Social Care has faced within the last few years, our approach in Buckinghamshire has remained focused on promoting clients independence and provide support for those who require it. Buckinghamshire Council is a dynamic one, where you will be challenged as well as a place you will be supported to expand your skills and experience.
Buckinghamshire practice with a strong emphasis on a strength-based practice approach, ‘Better Lives’, has been improving outcomes linked to independence, developing social connections, and improving areas that are important to the residents we support.
We have created more roles in Social Work and Occupational Therapy; we are adapting to work much more closely with the community and support people near to where they live; we have developed a new career progression framework to encourage staff ambition and development; finally, to establish the conditions to deliver outstanding practice.
We are looking for motivated, ambitious and inspiring people to join us on our journey.

OUR VALUES AND CULTURE

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining us, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

We know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.
From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.
We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

ABOUT THE SERVICE AREA

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to ensuring that our residents stay as independent as they can, for as long as possible. Everyone has the right to live a fulfilling and nourishing life, and for many people, social care plays a key role in achieving that.
We are looking for dynamic Social Workers who are passionate about enabling clients to fulfil their potential, whilst promoting self-determination, and who are passionate, supportive, motivated, and confident when supporting and communicating with people - either on the telephone or face to face.
Your work will include carrying out needs assessments, creating person-centred and strengths-based care plans, ensuring delivery of services, and reviewing outcomes with the individual, their personal networks, and support providers.
You will work in partnership with other professionals and organisations to support our residents effectively and holistically. Our Social Workers will endorse and act by the principles of personalisation, ensuring that care and support plans are person-centred, and as far as is safely possible, you will put the people with whom you work in control of their lives.
You will also demonstrate emotional resilience and intelligence - which is the ability to maintain focus and to ‘keep going’ despite setbacks and stressful situations, a real desire to enable clients to achieve or maintain their goals of living independently and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.
So, if you are looking for a new challenge, want to become part of a team that places a premium on listening and learning, and which is determined to make a difference – we want to hear from you!

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a social worker at Buckinghamshire Council, you will ensure the highest standards of service are provided to the residents of Buckinghamshire. You will:

• Provide a high-quality and effective professional casework service, taking responsibility for working and managing a caseload within a framework of appropriate supervision, dependent upon the complexities of these cases and your experience.
• Comply with legislation, statutory guidance, and local policies and procedures.
• Deliver high quality support to our residents and ensure that regular monitoring and review of care and support plans are carried out.
• Be competent in all areas of the Professional Capabilities Framework of Social Work.

Mobile:
A ‘mobile’ role gives you the flexibility to schedule your own diary, so you can meet with colleagues and clients in a variety of locations. You’ll access digital folders and resources on your laptop and be able to use the network wherever you are based. Working from home will be common, as well as meeting your team in the office where necessary.

YOU MUST BE A QUALIFIED SOCIAL WORKER (HOLDING A SOCIAL WORK DEGREE OR EQUIVALENT) AND BE REGISTERED WITH SOCIAL WORK ENGLAND. IN ADDITION, A FULL DRIVING LICENCE WITH ACCESS TO A VEHICLE IS AN ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT FOR THIS ROLE.

Naturally, you’ll be a great people person, familiar with working to a strength-based approach. Thinking outside the box, you’ll support your clients and help prevent, reduce or delay the need for care. Bringing your in-depth knowledge of the latest legislation and statutory guidance, you’ll work independently and with colleagues to support adults and their families. Persistence and an adaptable approach are needed in an outcome-focused way with partners such as health services, community sector, housing, care providers and other stakeholders.
If you’d like to hear from some of our current social workers and social care staff, take a look at our careers social media pages Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram
We welcome individuals looking to return to social work and offer a return to social work programme assessment and support process. Should this be something of interest to you please contact the Learning and Wellbeing Hub via email at learninghub@buckinghamshire.gov.uk to arrange an informal chat or to find out more information.