Job summary This role attracts a Golden Hello payment of £3,500. T's & C's apply, new employees only. All Social Workers must be registered with Social Work England. The Enhanced Primary Mental Health Service (EPMHS) provide a multidisciplinary service to those with moderate and severe mental health difficulties in primary care. There is a focus on psychological provision for those who do not meet criteria for Adult Community Mental Health Services or the NHS Talking Therapies Teams. Service users present with multiple social stressors and we are looking for a social worker to develop this role and and take the lead working directly with those with more complex difficulties, providing supervision to support staff providing social care to service users and providing advice to the wider MDT on social care matters. As a Social Worker, you will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team, providing high quality social care services to adults of all ages experiencing mental ill-health. The core functions of the role will be to provide assessment, care planning and interventions (which may require co-ordination of care) from a social perspective to adults accessing the service. You will delivery recovery-focused care and support to service users and their carers that is focused on the principles of choice, control, and independence, as well as ensuring safety. You will act as a champion of social care and safeguarding in your locality. Main duties of the job The postholder will assess needs and outcomes and analyse a wide range of information in relation to service users and carers. They will ensure that complex information is analysed, and recommendations made, for which there is professional accountability. They will involve service users and carers to enable us to learn from their experiences. The postholder may be asked to undertake surveys and audits within their locality and contribute to trust wide surveys when required. The post holder will hold a key role in providing social care assessments and commissioned packages of care, and will ensure that your practice ensures the service is meeting its statutory social care functions as described in the Care Act 2014. About us Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission. Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout: Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional. Date posted 08 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 367-ACMS-8858-A Job locations EPMHS The Orchards, Ashley Close, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 8EH Ashley Close Hemel Hempstead HP3 8EH Job description Job responsibilities 1. To be a champion of social care with a comprehensive understanding of legislation and statutory guidance. 2. To take a lead in the promotion of adult safeguarding practice and undertake safeguarding enquires and contribute to the provision of care plans that protect both adults and children from abuse. 3. To undertake comprehensive assessments and reviews, for people who may present with a high risk, or those with significant interpersonal, social, legal and/or environmental complexities, ensuring people are assessed appropriately against social care eligibility criteria as defined by The Care Act 2014. 4. To offer direct support to service users and their carers, and to colleagues, through information and advice, to ensure that those who do not meet social care eligibility are appropriately signposted and supported. 5. To ensure that appropriate health and social care services are commissioned with and on behalf of service users, including the duty to offer direct payments, and that processes are in place for service users to be charged by the local authority for the social care services they receive, if applicable. 6. To contribute to core tasks within EPMHS including Dialog First Conversations. 7. To ensure that commissioned services allow choice to service users and carers and focus on people living in the community with appropriate support and access to universal services. 8. To undertake regular risk assessments and ensure that vulnerable people are kept safe. 9. To undertake carer assessments, including identifying contingency plans, and provision of support. 10. To be skilled in partnership working and identify, develop, and facilitate a wide range of recovery-focused community services, ensuring that colleagues within the locality are also aware of developments and best practice. 11. To ensure the involvement of service users and their carers to that the Trust can learn from their experiences to make improvements to service delivery. 12. To ensure accurate computer records of all work undertaken are kept up to date. 13. To undertake your own post qualifying and other appropriate training to ensure high standards of practice and continuation of your registration with Social Work England. 14. To provide both management and reflective supervision to newly qualified social workers and unregistered social care staff. 15. To support newly qualified social workers through the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE), with opportunities to train as an ASYE assessor. 16. To undertake duties as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or be willing to undertake AMHP training. 17. To participate in your own regular supervision and ensure regular reflection on your own practice as both a social worker and AMHP. 18. To undertake other tasks and duties which form part of the delegated social care responsibilities accepted by the Trust on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council. 19. To adhere to Trust policies and procedures. 20. To undertake additional training as required. 21. To carry out any other duties as appropriately identified by your line manager. 1. To be a champion of social care with a comprehensive understanding of legislation and statutory guidance. 2. To take a lead in the promotion of adult safeguarding practice and undertake safeguarding enquires and contribute to the provision of care plans that protect both adults and children from abuse. 3. To undertake comprehensive assessments and reviews, for people who may present with a high risk, or those with significant interpersonal, social, legal and/or environmental complexities, ensuring people are assessed appropriately against social care eligibility criteria as defined by The Care Act 2014. 4. To offer direct support to service users and their carers, and to colleagues, through information and advice, to ensure that those who do not meet social care eligibility are appropriately signposted and supported. 5. To ensure that appropriate health and social care services are commissioned with and on behalf of service users, including the duty to offer direct payments, and that processes are in place for service users to be charged by the local authority for the social care services they receive, if applicable. 6. To contribute to core tasks within EPMHS including Dialog First Conversations. 7. To ensure that commissioned services allow choice to service users and carers and focus on people living in the community with appropriate support and access to universal services. 8. To undertake regular risk assessments and ensure that vulnerable people are kept safe. 9. To undertake carer assessments, including identifying contingency plans, and provision of support. 10. To be skilled in partnership working and identify, develop, and facilitate a wide range of recovery-focused community services, ensuring that colleagues within the locality are also aware of developments and best practice. 11. To ensure the involvement of service users and their carers to that the Trust can learn from their experiences to make improvements to service delivery. 12. To ensure accurate computer records of all work undertaken are kept up to date. 13. To undertake your own post qualifying and other appropriate training to ensure high standards of practice and continuation of your registration with Social Work England. 14. To provide both management and reflective supervision to newly qualified social workers and unregistered social care staff. 15. To support newly qualified social workers through the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE), with opportunities to train as an ASYE assessor. 16. To undertake duties as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or be willing to undertake AMHP training. 17. To participate in your own regular supervision and ensure regular reflection on your own practice as both a social worker and AMHP. 18. To undertake other tasks and duties which form part of the delegated social care responsibilities accepted by the Trust on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council. 19. To adhere to Trust policies and procedures. 20. To undertake additional training as required. 21. To carry out any other duties as appropriately identified by your line manager. Clinical Responsibility The postholder will demonstrate professional knowledge and competence gained through social work training, leading to registration with Social Work England. Expertise within their specialism must be underpinned by theory and post qualification training. The postholders work will be relatively autonomous, but a reasonable level of support and supervision is provided. Their work will focus on integrated assessment, care planning and care management directly with service users and carers who present with the most complex circumstances. Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility The postholder will be professionally accountable for their own activities and for the advice and guidance they give to other qualified and unqualified staff within the locality. This will include providing clinical supervision to less experienced social workers and un-registered social care staff. The postholder will undertake appraisals of staff they supervise. They will supervise and mentor students. Financial Responsibility The postholder will be an authorised signatory for packages of care for service user and carers within a delegated scheme of responsibility. They will handle cash and valuables of service users as required. The post holder will act as an agent of appointeeship and handle service user resources in accordance with legislation. They will ensure that Local Authority charging policies are carried out in line with local and national guidance. Job description Job responsibilities 1. To be a champion of social care with a comprehensive understanding of legislation and statutory guidance. 2. To take a lead in the promotion of adult safeguarding practice and undertake safeguarding enquires and contribute to the provision of care plans that protect both adults and children from abuse. 3. To undertake comprehensive assessments and reviews, for people who may present with a high risk, or those with significant interpersonal, social, legal and/or environmental complexities, ensuring people are assessed appropriately against social care eligibility criteria as defined by The Care Act 2014. 4. To offer direct support to service users and their carers, and to colleagues, through information and advice, to ensure that those who do not meet social care eligibility are appropriately signposted and supported. 5. To ensure that appropriate health and social care services are commissioned with and on behalf of service users, including the duty to offer direct payments, and that processes are in place for service users to be charged by the local authority for the social care services they receive, if applicable. 6. To contribute to core tasks within EPMHS including Dialog First Conversations. 7. To ensure that commissioned services allow choice to service users and carers and focus on people living in the community with appropriate support and access to universal services. 8. To undertake regular risk assessments and ensure that vulnerable people are kept safe. 9. To undertake carer assessments, including identifying contingency plans, and provision of support. 10. To be skilled in partnership working and identify, develop, and facilitate a wide range of recovery-focused community services, ensuring that colleagues within the locality are also aware of developments and best practice. 11. To ensure the involvement of service users and their carers to that the Trust can learn from their experiences to make improvements to service delivery. 12. To ensure accurate computer records of all work undertaken are kept up to date. 13. To undertake your own post qualifying and other appropriate training to ensure high standards of practice and continuation of your registration with Social Work England. 14. To provide both management and reflective supervision to newly qualified social workers and unregistered social care staff. 15. To support newly qualified social workers through the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE), with opportunities to train as an ASYE assessor. 16. To undertake duties as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or be willing to undertake AMHP training. 17. To participate in your own regular supervision and ensure regular reflection on your own practice as both a social worker and AMHP. 18. To undertake other tasks and duties which form part of the delegated social care responsibilities accepted by the Trust on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council. 19. To adhere to Trust policies and procedures. 20. To undertake additional training as required. 21. To carry out any other duties as appropriately identified by your line manager. 1. To be a champion of social care with a comprehensive understanding of legislation and statutory guidance. 2. To take a lead in the promotion of adult safeguarding practice and undertake safeguarding enquires and contribute to the provision of care plans that protect both adults and children from abuse. 3. To undertake comprehensive assessments and reviews, for people who may present with a high risk, or those with significant interpersonal, social, legal and/or environmental complexities, ensuring people are assessed appropriately against social care eligibility criteria as defined by The Care Act 2014. 4. To offer direct support to service users and their carers, and to colleagues, through information and advice, to ensure that those who do not meet social care eligibility are appropriately signposted and supported. 5. To ensure that appropriate health and social care services are commissioned with and on behalf of service users, including the duty to offer direct payments, and that processes are in place for service users to be charged by the local authority for the social care services they receive, if applicable. 6. To contribute to core tasks within EPMHS including Dialog First Conversations. 7. To ensure that commissioned services allow choice to service users and carers and focus on people living in the community with appropriate support and access to universal services. 8. To undertake regular risk assessments and ensure that vulnerable people are kept safe. 9. To undertake carer assessments, including identifying contingency plans, and provision of support. 10. To be skilled in partnership working and identify, develop, and facilitate a wide range of recovery-focused community services, ensuring that colleagues within the locality are also aware of developments and best practice. 11. To ensure the involvement of service users and their carers to that the Trust can learn from their experiences to make improvements to service delivery. 12. To ensure accurate computer records of all work undertaken are kept up to date. 13. To undertake your own post qualifying and other appropriate training to ensure high standards of practice and continuation of your registration with Social Work England. 14. To provide both management and reflective supervision to newly qualified social workers and unregistered social care staff. 15. To support newly qualified social workers through the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE), with opportunities to train as an ASYE assessor. 16. To undertake duties as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or be willing to undertake AMHP training. 17. To participate in your own regular supervision and ensure regular reflection on your own practice as both a social worker and AMHP. 18. To undertake other tasks and duties which form part of the delegated social care responsibilities accepted by the Trust on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council. 19. To adhere to Trust policies and procedures. 20. To undertake additional training as required. 21. To carry out any other duties as appropriately identified by your line manager. Clinical Responsibility The postholder will demonstrate professional knowledge and competence gained through social work training, leading to registration with Social Work England. Expertise within their specialism must be underpinned by theory and post qualification training. The postholders work will be relatively autonomous, but a reasonable level of support and supervision is provided. Their work will focus on integrated assessment, care planning and care management directly with service users and carers who present with the most complex circumstances. Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility The postholder will be professionally accountable for their own activities and for the advice and guidance they give to other qualified and unqualified staff within the locality. This will include providing clinical supervision to less experienced social workers and un-registered social care staff. The postholder will undertake appraisals of staff they supervise. They will supervise and mentor students. Financial Responsibility The postholder will be an authorised signatory for packages of care for service user and carers within a delegated scheme of responsibility. They will handle cash and valuables of service users as required. The post holder will act as an agent of appointeeship and handle service user resources in accordance with legislation. They will ensure that Local Authority charging policies are carried out in line with local and national guidance. Person Specification QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING Essential An appropriate professional social work qualification Education to degree level Registration with Social Work England Training in principles and application of outcomes focussed assessments and personalisation Relevant post-qualifying training for social workers Approved Mental Health Professional/Best Interests Assessment Training Training and experience in safeguarding KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE Essential Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience Knowledge of legislation, theory and policy in relation to relevant care group Experience of undertaking assessments, focussed as personalisation, choice and control, and care planning Understanding and experience of personal budgets and direct payments Experience of multidisciplinary working and ability to work collaboratively Experience of partnership working with service users and carers, demonstrating dignity and respect Desirable Experience of work as Approved Mental Health Professional and/or Best Interests Assessor Experience of working in an integrated health and social care environment Person Specification QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING Essential An appropriate professional social work qualification Education to degree level Registration with Social Work England Training in principles and application of outcomes focussed assessments and personalisation Relevant post-qualifying training for social workers Approved Mental Health Professional/Best Interests Assessment Training Training and experience in safeguarding KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE Essential Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience Knowledge of legislation, theory and policy in relation to relevant care group Experience of undertaking assessments, focussed as personalisation, choice and control, and care planning Understanding and experience of personal budgets and direct payments Experience of multidisciplinary working and ability to work collaboratively Experience of partnership working with service users and carers, demonstrating dignity and respect Desirable Experience of work as Approved Mental Health Professional and/or Best Interests Assessor Experience of working in an integrated health and social care environment 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 Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Address EPMHS The Orchards, Ashley Close, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 8EH Ashley Close Hemel Hempstead HP3 8EH Employer's website https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)