Job summary Do you want to make a real difference advocating for people with complex mental health needs within a hospital setting? Lead Social Worker Location:North Benfleet, Essex Hours: full time 12 month fixed term contract This is an exciting opportunity to work part-time as Lead Social Worker within the Essex service. You can achieve more at St Andrews Healthcare Our focus is transforming lives through ground breaking treatment and rehabilitation, with surpluses re-invested in our outstanding facilities. Your role with us You will be part of the leadership team within the Division and a key contributor to the operational and strategic direction of the division and the social care team. Were looking to recruit an experienced Social Worker to lead our Essex Social Care team and ensure the delivery of professional advice, supervision and support to the team. You will undertake on-going review of the delivery of the social work services and service needs to ensure we are delivering the best possible outcomes to patients within our care. You will hold a protected case load, including complex and high risk individuals. You will develop and define social work roles and tasks, policies and procedures for St Andrews Healthcare and set good practice standards benchmarked against Professional Capabilities Framework and Social Work England guidance and incorporate up to date legislation and guidance into practice. Main duties of the job You will provide clinical and management supervision to the social workers and social care assistants and lead regular social work team meetings providing professional expertise and positive role modelling. You will take an active part in service strategy, governance and management meetings by analysing & providing performance data and ensuring quality assurance activity is in place. You will support the social care to manage safeguarding incidents and referrals which adhere to local safeguarding board procedures and are within statutory timescales You will monitor the quality and administration of paperwork and computer records in line with St Andrews Healthcare current policies and will be working in partnership with outside agencies, organisations, patients and carers/families. You will work in partnership with our multi-disciplinary teams (including Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Nursing and other Allied Health Professions) to provide holistic individualised treatment plans, and work directly with our patients on their recovery journey. Taking the lead with carer engagement and involvement ensuring that families are part of the team. You will become an expert in mental health legislation and practice, giving evidence at Tribunals and taking the lead on safeguarding. As a Charity with a focus on Education, Research and Training, we offer access to ASYE, Practice Educator course, Social Work forums. About us As a Charity with a focus on Education, Research and Training, we offer access to ASYE, Practice Educator course, Social Work forums, and have strong links with the University of Northampton and local teaching partnerships. About Us We are St Andrew's. We are a mental health Charity and our purpose is to inspire hope for those living with complex mental health needs. We are looking to a future with less stigma, more community support, more research and education, and we aim to be at the forefront of inspiring real change. We want to ensure we can all live in a society where everyone with complex mental health needs is heard, valued and has hope for their future. Come and join us, and support us to help people transform their lives. St Andrews Healthcare Social Workers must be registered with Social Work England and there will be opportunities for training to ensure registration. In addition, there will be regular supervision, an annual performance review and opportunities for development. Our patients and your colleagues will expect you to live the St Andrews CARE values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence every single day. You will also be part of a great team, giving you plenty of exposure to mentoring and coaching and extensive opportunities for continuing professional development, training, and career progression. If you feel this is you then wed love you to apply here. Interviews: TBC Date posted 14 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £53,782 to £56,480 a year 35 days holiday, and benefits Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working, Compressed hours Reference number B0354-JFSTAH36514 Job locations St. Andrews Healthcare Essex Pound Lane North Benfleet Wickford Essex SS129JP Job description Job responsibilities Rewards We offer an excellent benefits package including: Pension; Sickness policy on par with the NHS; Access to the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts schemes; 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing to 33 after 10 years' service; Buy and Sell your Annual Leave; Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme; Menopause Group; Life cover; Electric car lease scheme; Cycle to work scheme; Free parking; onsite gym and swimming pool facilities; Paid DBS application; Access to free vocational qualifications. For an informal discussion around the role and opportunity please contact jcfarrellystah.org or 07827856634 Job description Job responsibilities Rewards We offer an excellent benefits package including: Pension; Sickness policy on par with the NHS; Access to the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts schemes; 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing to 33 after 10 years' service; Buy and Sell your Annual Leave; Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme; Menopause Group; Life cover; Electric car lease scheme; Cycle to work scheme; Free parking; onsite gym and swimming pool facilities; Paid DBS application; Access to free vocational qualifications. For an informal discussion around the role and opportunity please contact jcfarrellystah.org or 07827856634 Person Specification Qualifications Essential The successful candidate will hold a recognised Social Work qualification and a post qualifying qualification. You will have relevant post experience and be registered with Social Work England (SWE). Experience Essential Experience of working in Mental Health, Mental Capacity Legislation and Safeguarding Adults Legislation is essential as you would be expected to undertake a range of complex assessments and investigations Detailed knowledge and experience of working under pressure with complex legal issues is also essential You will have good communication and interpersonal skills and a desire to develop others Person Specification Qualifications Essential The successful candidate will hold a recognised Social Work qualification and a post qualifying qualification. You will have relevant post experience and be registered with Social Work England (SWE). Experience Essential Experience of working in Mental Health, Mental Capacity Legislation and Safeguarding Adults Legislation is essential as you would be expected to undertake a range of complex assessments and investigations Detailed knowledge and experience of working under pressure with complex legal issues is also essential You will have good communication and interpersonal skills and a desire to develop others Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name St Andrew’s Healthcare Address St. Andrews Healthcare Essex Pound Lane North Benfleet Wickford Essex SS129JP Employer's website https://www.stah.org (Opens in a new tab)