Job summary Are you ready to make a real, positive impact on another persons life? There are currently vacancies for Social Workers within East Sussex County Councils Learning Disability Service, providing an opportunity to work with adults, their families and carers, and to contribute to making a positive impact on their lives, prospects and outcomes. As a service, we are committed to working with our clients to build on their strengths, enabling them to live full lives within the community as independently as possible. This involves working closely with our health colleagues and key partner agencies, so excellent communication skills are a must. An essential part of the role focuses on Safeguarding and you will be expected to take on the Lead Enquiry Officer Role alongside other statutory work. You will need to be able to independently travel to cover the area of the service which is countywide and includes rural locations. Occasionally visits to clients outside of the county may be required. Our hybrid working arrangements allow for a mix of being home and office based throughout the week. We have vacancies in Cavendish House our Hastings office and Bellbrook our Uckfield office. Main duties of the job We recognise that this is a challenging role, not for everyone, however East Sussex is committed to providing the support and professional development to make the most of your skills including the opportunity for career progression. We are looking for candidates who: Are keen to develop further as a social worker. Can work as part of a team. Have communication skills and feeling confident in discussions with other professional disciplines. Have an ability to meet travel requirements of the post. Have a commitment to training and personal development. About us If you would like to apply please visit the ESCC website on the link below and follow the 'apply now' link on our website. www.eastsussex.gov.uk/jobs?AlttemplateJobAdvert&JobId44632&JobReferenceorbis/TP/198701/44632 If you have any problems in applying for this role please make contact with us. All interviews will be arranged within 2 weeks of the advertised closing date and will be held via MS Teams. We would really like you to choose the Learning Disability service for your next step in social work. We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page. Date posted 15 April 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £38,865 to £44,428 a year East Sussex Single Status Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number F0026-25-0013 Job locations Bellbrook Centre Uckfield East Sussex TN22 1QL Cavendish House Hastings East Sussex TN34 3AA Job description Job responsibilities EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Social Worker Department: Adult Social Care and Health Grade: East Sussex Single Status Grade 11/12 Responsible to: Practice Manager Purpose of the Role: A practitioner who is able to undertake a full range of social work tasks independently and is able to demonstrate the ability to deal with complexity and work to the legislation relevant to their service area. Key tasks: 1. Undertake a range of tasks which could include investigation of adult safeguarding issues, carrying out assessments of need, analysis and planning, assessing and managing risk, commissioning support and reviewing. 2. Identify and appropriately report children and adult safeguarding concerns, liaising with key agencies to gather information and acting as Investigating Officer as delegated. 3. Work with a range of legal interventions and departmental policies and procedures to support outcome-based planning for adults. 4. Work directly with adults in need, carers, families and their communities to support people to make informed decisions and choices, empowering them to express needs and participate in the decision-making process. 5. Work with partner agencies and adults in need and their carers and families to enable them to build networks of community support and maintain their independence for as long as possible. 6. Maintain good case recording and present reports to panels and in court as appropriate. 7. Contribute to the learning of social work students, newly qualified social workers and other team members, for example through group supervisions and mentoring. 8. Evidence ongoing commitment to continuous professional development and undertake relevant training in line with the Professional Capability Framework. Mental Health addendum 9. In addition to the tasks outlined above, Social Workers working in Mental Health Services will also be required to do the following: 10. To train as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) two years after successful completion of the formal ASYE programme. 11. To act as an AMHP and contribute to AMHP rotas as required. This may involve continuing to work after 5pm on duty days. 12. To complete relevant training in order to provide practice placements for AMHP students in training. Progression from Single Status Grade 11 to 12 In order to progress through the bar at the top of Single Status Grade 11 onto Single Status Grade 12 you must have progressed through the increments of Single Status 11, demonstrate that you meet each of the following progression criteria (as further detailed in the relevant requirements of the Professional Capability Framework); and have obtained your managers approval to progress. A moderation panel will then assess whether you have adequately demonstrated the competencies required in order that you can progress in accordance with the Professional Capability Framework, including: Appraisal and Portfolio showing progressive professional development linked to Social Worker Professional Capability Framework; Completed Professional Development and Career Review; Evidence of development in an area of specialist expertise; Evidence of sharing knowledge and good evidence based practice based on current research relevant to casework; Evidence of taking a lead role in the team to implement local and national service and professional developments; Evidence of contribution to be involved in the assessment, mentoring and support of social work students and newly qualified social workers, for example through group supervisions and mentoring. PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential education and qualifications 1. Social work qualifications and registered with the professional regulatory body 2. Successfully completed Assessed and Supported Year in employment, or the equivalent if prior to 2012, (NQSW year and academic module) or equivalent. Essential key skills, abilities, knowledge, experience, values and behaviours 3. Engage effectively using creativity, compassion and authority to overcome resistance, build relationships, and communicate while maintaining professional boundaries with children, families and carers in complex, variable and emotionally challenging situations. to facilitate access to opportunities that may enhance their economic wellbeing. 4. Ability to promote, develop and establish effective, collaborative partnerships and networks to promote appropriate information sharing, and utilise the expertise of external agency professionals, service users and carers. 5. Able to manage workload independently, applying critical reflection and analysis to maintain, develop and apply a range of effective judgements, and assessments, utilising a wide range of evidence and hypotheses to inform decision making, assessment and timely intervention to progress complex cases and safeguarding interventions 6. Able to demonstrate accountability and effective judgement when anticipating, identifying, assessing and managing risk, seeking support and solutions where appropriate 7. Able to articulate a positive social work identity and application of power and authority 8. Apply the principles of social justice, social inclusion and equality decision making in all casework, challenging issues of discrimination and oppression and demonstrating the confident application of ethical reasoning to professional practice. 9. Able to demonstrate knowledge of, and competence against the 9 domains of the Professional Capability Framework at social work level 10. Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate legal and policy frameworks and an awareness of current case law, that informs and mandates social work practice 11. Understand forms of harm and their impact on people, and the implications for practice, drawing on concepts of attachment, loss, resilience, vulnerability, risk and resistance 12. Awareness of changing contexts at local, national and organisational level and their implications for practice 13. Experience of completing needs assessments upon which effective plans are based 14. Able to make use of research to inform practice. 15. Demonstrate personal and professional resilience 16. Able to demonstrate awareness of own professional limitations, personal values and knowledge gaps, to critically reflect on the influence and impact on professional practice and engage in regular supervision to improve practice and career development 17. Work positively with others and contribute to team working and a learning environment for self, team and colleagues 18. Able to meet the travelling requirements of the post Desirable key skills, abilities, knowledge, experience, values and behaviours 19. Academic /post graduate learning relevant to the post 20. Level 1 Practice Educator Professional Standards (Enabling Learning or equivalent) 21. Demonstrate an understanding of social welfare policy 22. Demonstrate understanding of politico-economic environment and its influence on statutory social work delivery. 23. Experience of working within a legal framework 24. Experience of implementing care plans and actively working adult protection plans 25. Experience of contributing to the learning of student social workers Document version control: Date created/amended: February 2024 Name of person created/amended document: Job Evaluation Reference: 13943 Health & Safety Functions This section is to make you aware of any health & safety related functions you may be expected to either perform or to which may be exposed in relation to the post you are applying for. This information will help you if successful in your application identify any health-related condition which may impact on your ability to perform the job role, enabling us to support you in your employment by way of reasonable adjustments or workplace support. Function Applicable to role Using display screen equipment Yes Working with children/vulnerable adults Yes Moving & handling operations No Occupational Driving Yes Lone Working Yes Working at height No Shift / night work No Working with hazardous substances No Using power tools No Exposure to noise and /or vibration No Food handling No Exposure to blood /body fluids No Job description Job responsibilities EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Social Worker Department: Adult Social Care and Health Grade: East Sussex Single Status Grade 11/12 Responsible to: Practice Manager Purpose of the Role: A practitioner who is able to undertake a full range of social work tasks independently and is able to demonstrate the ability to deal with complexity and work to the legislation relevant to their service area. Key tasks: 1. Undertake a range of tasks which could include investigation of adult safeguarding issues, carrying out assessments of need, analysis and planning, assessing and managing risk, commissioning support and reviewing. 2. Identify and appropriately report children and adult safeguarding concerns, liaising with key agencies to gather information and acting as Investigating Officer as delegated. 3. Work with a range of legal interventions and departmental policies and procedures to support outcome-based planning for adults. 4. Work directly with adults in need, carers, families and their communities to support people to make informed decisions and choices, empowering them to express needs and participate in the decision-making process. 5. Work with partner agencies and adults in need and their carers and families to enable them to build networks of community support and maintain their independence for as long as possible. 6. Maintain good case recording and present reports to panels and in court as appropriate. 7. Contribute to the learning of social work students, newly qualified social workers and other team members, for example through group supervisions and mentoring. 8. Evidence ongoing commitment to continuous professional development and undertake relevant training in line with the Professional Capability Framework. Mental Health addendum 9. In addition to the tasks outlined above, Social Workers working in Mental Health Services will also be required to do the following: 10. To train as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) two years after successful completion of the formal ASYE programme. 11. To act as an AMHP and contribute to AMHP rotas as required. This may involve continuing to work after 5pm on duty days. 12. To complete relevant training in order to provide practice placements for AMHP students in training. Progression from Single Status Grade 11 to 12 In order to progress through the bar at the top of Single Status Grade 11 onto Single Status Grade 12 you must have progressed through the increments of Single Status 11, demonstrate that you meet each of the following progression criteria (as further detailed in the relevant requirements of the Professional Capability Framework); and have obtained your managers approval to progress. A moderation panel will then assess whether you have adequately demonstrated the competencies required in order that you can progress in accordance with the Professional Capability Framework, including: Appraisal and Portfolio showing progressive professional development linked to Social Worker Professional Capability Framework; Completed Professional Development and Career Review; Evidence of development in an area of specialist expertise; Evidence of sharing knowledge and good evidence based practice based on current research relevant to casework; Evidence of taking a lead role in the team to implement local and national service and professional developments; Evidence of contribution to be involved in the assessment, mentoring and support of social work students and newly qualified social workers, for example through group supervisions and mentoring. PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential education and qualifications 1. Social work qualifications and registered with the professional regulatory body 2. Successfully completed Assessed and Supported Year in employment, or the equivalent if prior to 2012, (NQSW year and academic module) or equivalent. Essential key skills, abilities, knowledge, experience, values and behaviours 3. Engage effectively using creativity, compassion and authority to overcome resistance, build relationships, and communicate while maintaining professional boundaries with children, families and carers in complex, variable and emotionally challenging situations. to facilitate access to opportunities that may enhance their economic wellbeing. 4. Ability to promote, develop and establish effective, collaborative partnerships and networks to promote appropriate information sharing, and utilise the expertise of external agency professionals, service users and carers. 5. Able to manage workload independently, applying critical reflection and analysis to maintain, develop and apply a range of effective judgements, and assessments, utilising a wide range of evidence and hypotheses to inform decision making, assessment and timely intervention to progress complex cases and safeguarding interventions 6. Able to demonstrate accountability and effective judgement when anticipating, identifying, assessing and managing risk, seeking support and solutions where appropriate 7. Able to articulate a positive social work identity and application of power and authority 8. Apply the principles of social justice, social inclusion and equality decision making in all casework, challenging issues of discrimination and oppression and demonstrating the confident application of ethical reasoning to professional practice. 9. Able to demonstrate knowledge of, and competence against the 9 domains of the Professional Capability Framework at social work level 10. Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate legal and policy frameworks and an awareness of current case law, that informs and mandates social work practice 11. Understand forms of harm and their impact on people, and the implications for practice, drawing on concepts of attachment, loss, resilience, vulnerability, risk and resistance 12. Awareness of changing contexts at local, national and organisational level and their implications for practice 13. Experience of completing needs assessments upon which effective plans are based 14. Able to make use of research to inform practice. 15. Demonstrate personal and professional resilience 16. Able to demonstrate awareness of own professional limitations, personal values and knowledge gaps, to critically reflect on the influence and impact on professional practice and engage in regular supervision to improve practice and career development 17. Work positively with others and contribute to team working and a learning environment for self, team and colleagues 18. Able to meet the travelling requirements of the post Desirable key skills, abilities, knowledge, experience, values and behaviours 19. Academic /post graduate learning relevant to the post 20. Level 1 Practice Educator Professional Standards (Enabling Learning or equivalent) 21. Demonstrate an understanding of social welfare policy 22. Demonstrate understanding of politico-economic environment and its influence on statutory social work delivery. 23. Experience of working within a legal framework 24. Experience of implementing care plans and actively working adult protection plans 25. Experience of contributing to the learning of student social workers Document version control: Date created/amended: February 2024 Name of person created/amended document: Job Evaluation Reference: 13943 Health & Safety Functions This section is to make you aware of any health & safety related functions you may be expected to either perform or to which may be exposed in relation to the post you are applying for. This information will help you if successful in your application identify any health-related condition which may impact on your ability to perform the job role, enabling us to support you in your employment by way of reasonable adjustments or workplace support. Function Applicable to role Using display screen equipment Yes Working with children/vulnerable adults Yes Moving & handling operations No Occupational Driving Yes Lone Working Yes Working at height No Shift / night work No Working with hazardous substances No Using power tools No Exposure to noise and /or vibration No Food handling No Exposure to blood /body fluids No Person Specification Qualifications Essential Registered with Social Work England. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Registered with Social Work England. 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 East Sussex County Council Address Bellbrook Centre Uckfield East Sussex TN22 1QL Employer's website https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)