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 £2,525 per annum, you will also receive a ‘Golden Hello’ lump-sum payment of £2500 paid on successful completion of your probationary period.
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 now looking for motivated, ambitious and inspiring people to join us on our journey.
About us
Why join us?
We are lucky to have really good transport links including easy access to the A41, M25 and M40 and with various train stations in and around Aylesbury, we are commutable from various locations.
We invest in staff wellbeing
We understand that you can’t give what you don’t have so we focus on staff wellbeing to enable employees to support the most vulnerable communities. To achieve this we have weekly ‘catch ups’ as a Team and stay in close communication with one another. We also have great links to our community teams and developing team building days. In addition we promote open and inclusive communication.
Robust induction
We have innovative approach to induction whereupon you will be provided with a buddy and provided with a schedule of shadowing opportunities already booked into your calendar to help you settle in to your role from the first day on the job.
Realistic expectations
You can expect a manageable caseload of up to 25 active cases, a number of named worker cases and supportive approachable managers to guide you. You are never alone! You can expect a mixture of Review, Care Act Assessments, Safeguarding Investigations, Duty and other tasks. We have a robust duty rota devised with staff to give you maximum time on your caseload. You will be provided the opportunity to develop, shadowing more experienced staff in courtwork and other areas of interest.
Staff Benefits
You will get free parking and an essential car user allowance. We will also cover the cost of your annual Social Work England registration.
The wellbeing of our colleagues is very important to us and we encourage you to take control of your work-life balance and adopt a flexible approach where possible. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements.
About the role
To ensure the highest standards of service are provided to the residents of Buckinghamshire, Advanced Practitioners will ensure:
Work in accordance with the Better Lives framework
Promote and deliver goal-based support people to achieve greater independence
Promote equality as an integral part of a role and treat everyone with fairness and dignity
Provide a proactive personalised approach to the delivery of care and practice
Respond to people’s needs in a timely manner
Focus on improving people’s well-being
Give people greater choice and control over the care that they receive
Take account of people’s risks and safety at all times, identifying mitigations to reduce that risk
Support people to achieve the outcomes that are most important to them using all available resources and taking responsibility for the public purse
Supervise staff
Hold a caseload of complex cases
Competent in completing Safeguarding Investigations and Court work
Provide personalised information and advice, safeguarding, assessment, support planning and review to individuals/families and their carers
About you
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.
Other information
If you have any questions or would like to hear more about these exciting roles, please contact Fiona Woods, Team Manager at Fiona.woods@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or Emma Dunkley, Team Manager at emma.dunkely@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .