WE are looking for two assistant practitioners to join our Contact team .
Responsibilities
1. Engage with, inform, and adapt to changing contexts that shape practice.
Operate effectively within own organisational frameworks and contribute to
the development of services and organisations. Operate effectively within
multi-agency and inter-professional settings.
2. To be responsible for the day to day interpretation and implementation of
statutory and departmental policy in the provision of casework and, if
appropriate group work or other social work service, to individuals, families
and other groups.
3. Undertake trusted assessment/provision functions to promote
independence and, where appropriate, offer access to standard
equipment, which may involve the issuing of an equipment prescription (for
redemption via a retail outlet) and delivery/fitting.
4. Use judgement and authority to intervene with individuals, families and
communities to promote independence, provide support and prevent harm,
neglect and abuse.
5. Ensure those accessing the service, including families and carers, are at
the centre of decision making over their support arrangements and that
opportunities for choice and control are optimised and reflected in their
assessments and reviews.
6. Maintain the Directorate’s records by recording assessments and other
data accordingly ensuring that all data entered meets the relevant and
stated levels of accuracy, quality and timeliness required.
7. To communicate effectively and sensitively with people and carers,
regardless of their spoken language or communication status. Adapt
communication techniques as the situation demands making best use of
Directorate informational resources and other methods of communication.
8. To assess the implications of change on people and to proactively
advocate for personalisation and people’s choice and control over their
own support needs.
9. Ensure value for money principles are applied in all areas of service
delivery in consultation with supervisor, manager and partner agencies
10. To recognise diversity and apply anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive
principles. To challenge appropriately when discrimination is in evidence.
11. To work across agencies and professional boundaries to ensure a whole
systems approach to assessment and assisting people to manage their
ongoing support needs.
12. To ensure that any information or signposting is clear and consistent with
policy and to be shared with person in need and family members as
appropriate. To be able to proactively engage the person with what the
next steps are on the customer journey.
JOB CONTEXT
This post is in the Community Support Service. The post reports directly to
the Team Manager and is a member of the social work team responsible for
delivering the ongoing support and review function for the people of
Southwark. This role will work across Complex Support, Support Planning
and Reviews as directed.
The post holder will be expected to expand their specialist knowledge and skill
relating to:
• Safeguarding
• Resources and procedures
• Identification of continuing healthcare needs
• Identification of Mental Capacity, Safeguarding, DOLS and complex
family issues
Southwark council is committed to supporting vulnerable adults to achieve
independence and social inclusion via personal budgets, self-directed support,
and provision of suitable accommodation. The post holder is expected to
provide a proactive approach which encompasses these goals and sets out to
achieve these aims.
The post holder will be responsible to the Team Manager, they will seek advice
where referrals involve policy decisions, or where the post holder requires
support with complex problems.
The post holder has no formal supervisory responsibility but will offer guidance
to new members of staff joining the service.
Financial Responsibilities
The post holder will not be a budget-holder but must have an awareness of the
need to work within a tightly controlled budget.
Contacts
To be in contact with officers of Social Care, Health and other departments
including Law and Administration, representatives from statutory and
independent agencies and local community group, including groups
representing the black and ethnic communities. Contact would involve: joint
working, problem solving, developing and maintaining information links.
Regulated Activity
This post has been classified as a regulated activity, in accordance with the
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, as amended by the Protection of
Freedoms Act 2012. It is a criminal offence for individuals barred by the
Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) to apply or work in this post. If you
any doubts on your status you should seek guidance from the ISA
(
All applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and will be asked
whether they are barred under the Scheme as noted above.
Conditions of Service Grade 8
Contractual hours: minimum of 36 per week in accordance with the
needs of the service Monday to Friday.
Working times
The post holder may be required to work outside of normal working hours in accordance with service needs.
Flexible Working
Attendance to the office three times a week.
As part of the Southwark Council’s commitment to continuous professional
development the post holder may be required to rotate to other suitable
positions of an equivalent grade.