About the job

Key information

• £39,186 to £43,421 per annum (pending pay award)
• Based onsite at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton
• 30 days annual leave entitlement
• Successful applicant will be a driver with own transport
• Interviews held: 31 October 2024

What will I be doing?

In a healthcare environment, you will oversee a team of Social Workers, swiftly identifying solutions to assist individuals who no longer require acute hospital treatment.

We need individuals who are committed to making a difference and who are not afraid to speak up when it comes to expressing the best interests for those they support.

This is an ideal opportunity for qualified, experienced practitioners who are already working at an advanced level who want to further develop their practice and professional leadership in teams.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But to be successful in the role you will:

• Have a Social Work degree qualification and registered with Social Work England.
• Have managerial and performance oversight of a team of staff who will be tailoring solutions around individuals’ needs when they no longer require an acute hospital admission by working with the individual, their families and our health and community partners
• Proactively support timely discharge processes by working with Discharge Liaison Services
• Maintain pace and focus on the individual and their discharge.
• Be able to use performance and hospital related data to prioritise resource as and when required to accommodate periods of escalation.
• Utilise the intermediate care model to assess services with NHS and care providers on a locality basis so that individuals remain in their own homes wherever possible
• Under direction from the Service Manager, provide social care challenge to health colleagues regarding decision making, planning and legal requirements.
• Work closely with community, health and the third sector, through the neighbourhood hubs to provide better outcomes for people, develop plans and reduce the need for readmission
• Liaise with key partners to facilitate improved provision of services, team training and recruitment
• Support admission avoidance work
• Utilise your extensive skills and experience to guide your team to support and empower the residents of Somerset to remain independent for longer in their communities.
• Tailor solutions around the needs of citizens and providing continuity of support and intervention.
• Promote independence in everything your team does
• Work alongside Health and Social Care colleagues.
• Liaise with key partners to facilitate improved provision of services, team training and recruitment.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

What is in it for me?

At Somerset Council, we work hard to attract the best staff, and we want to make sure that once you are on board, you are well supported and rewarded for the work you do.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• This grade offers 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and the option to request to buy up to 2 weeks additional annual leave pro rata
• Hybrid working options where the role allows
• A clear career pathway with apprenticeships, professional, leadership and academic programmes and qualifications, regular CPD opportunities and a corporate coaching and mentoring scheme
• A new comprehensive induction programme supported by Practice Development Advanced Practitioners, plus a confidential and impartial welcome call to ensure your induction goes smoothly
• Ongoing support & development opportunities – regular CPD events arranged and delivered by our dedicated Adult Social Care Learning and Development team, including an annual Carnival of Practice event with key speakers such as the Chief Social Worker, a team of Advanced Practitioner – Practice Development roles to support our workforce, personalised personal development plans, a corporate coaching and mentoring scheme.
• Local Government pension scheme
• Employee support networks that acknowledge and celebrate the richness of diversity and equality within our workforce
• Guaranteed Interview Schemes – Disability Confident, Veterans, Care Leavers
• Employee assistance and support offering a variety of wellbeing services and events to support a healthy work/life balance inc. a free online gym offer, dedicated Mental Wellbeing Ambassadors and much more!
• Relocation of up to £8,000, subject to meeting eligibility requirements.
• Access to the Blue Light Card which offers thousands of discounts online and on the high street
• My Staff Shop which offers a variety of discounts including cinemas, shopping, restaurants, gym discounts and more!
• Discounted lease car options via salary sacrifice, along with discounts on fuel
• Cycle to work scheme

DBS check

This post requires a criminal background check via the Disclosure procedure.

Supporting documents and information

This is a Grade 9 role with a current salary of £39,186 – £43,421 per annum (pending pay award). Appointments are normally made at the bottom of the salary scale.

We are a socially active Council and run many webinars and events, team away days, volunteering opportunities plus, hold regular staff Q&A sessions. We encourage professional development and training to support your learning and aspirations. And there are also a variety of networking groups and activities that you can join.

Got a question about becoming an Advanced Practitioner with Somerset Council? Feel free to get in touch with Maxine Walton: maxine.walton@somerset.gov.uk

Closing date: 24 October 2024

Interviewing: 31 October 2024

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button – we can’t wait to hear from you.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early if we have received a sufficient number of applications, so don’t delay, apply today!

Apply on the Somerset Council website

Apply now