Sectionsheffield Adult Mental Health Service

SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL

JOB DESCRIPTION

Informal Enquiries: Brendan Wood and Bev Sprague Tel – 0114 3050500

DIRECTORATENEIGHBOURHOODS & COMMUNITY CARE

SECTIONSHEFFIELD ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE

POST TITLESOCIAL WORKER/APPROVED SOCIAL WORKER

GRADEGrade 8

RESPONSIBLE TOTEAM MANAGER

RESPONSIBLE FORNIL STAFF

HOLIDAY AND

SICKNESS RELIEFSOCIAL WORK STAFF (FOR WORK APPROPRIATE

TO THE GRADE AND PURPOSE OF THE JOB AND

OTHER MENTAL HEALTH STAFF WHERE APPROPRIATE)

FOR SOCIAL WORK STAFF AND OTHER MENTAL

HEALTH STAFF WHERE APPROPRIATE

PURPOSE OF JOB

To improve and maintain the quality of social work services provided to people in the specialist group in integrated service team, within the requirements of current legislation and central government regulations and guidance as applied by the City Council and Sheffield Adult Mental Health Service.

Working for Sheffield

1.To receive information from or concerning clients and to assess the needs of clients and their families/carers for mental health services.

2.To provide social work services to individuals and their families/carers where mental health needs are a significant component of the difficulties being experienced.

3.To take action as agreed with the Team Manager to help meet the needs of specified clients, their families and other groups by:

a)Providing appropriate social casework intervention.

b)Assisting them in approaching other agencies and organisations.

c)Attempting to secure appropriate mental health services.

d)Giving or obtaining advice on welfare rights/entitlements and counselling on problems arising.

e)Assisting clients to administer their monies; keep such accounts as are required by the Department.

f)Undertaking escort duties.

g)Organising and/or assisting with groups.

h)Providing appropriate reports for related agencies/services.

4.To provide services under 2 and 3 above as part of a multidisciplinary team and as part of the Care Programme Approach.

5.To establish clear links and liaison with relevant services concerned for clients with mental health problems, including other local and health authority services.

6.To participate in the provision of a day duty service.

7.To report effectively through agreed recording systems and supervision.

8.To develop knowledge and information relevant to the specialism of mental health.

9.To participate in the provision of placements for students following courses of study in Health and Social Service.

10.Undertaking further training as required including Post Qualification in Social Work and Approved Social Worker Training.

11.Any other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the grade and purpose of the job as may be agreed between the postholder, management and the appropriate trade union.

PAY AND SERVICE CONDITIONS STATEMENT

SOCIAL WORKER

1.Pay ScaleBeyond SCP 30

NJC Agreement as locally applied

2.Job TitleSocial Worker

3.Duties and Responsibilities

(1)As existing job description.

(2)With access to advice and within normal arrangements for professional

accountability are expected to accept full responsibility for managing a caseload which will include the more vulnerable clients or those with particularly complex problems in situations where liberty or safety is at stake. Expected to contribute to the development of other social workers. May be expected to concentrate on specific areas of work requiring more developed skills. Expected to contribute to the development of new forms of work or service.

(3)To assist in the absence of the Team Manager in the organisation and allocation of day duty work.

NB. There is some variation on worksites as to the extent to which day duty is implemented, taking account of team practices, duty Team Manager arrangements, numbers of social workers above SCP 30 etc. There is an expectation that Team Manager carry responsibility for prioritisation of workloads and directing staff in particular circumstances. This will continue. However, there will be occasions where, in the absence of the Team Manager or other senior managers, this work can be undertaken by more experienced practitioners operation according to custom and practice application to their worksite.

(4)To undertake the supervision of a least one Diploma in Social work placement each year, as requested.

(5)When Approved to undertake Approved Social Worker duties, including assessments under the Mental Health Act, following up care, and the participation in day time ASW rota.

4.Pay Scale Beyond 36

Additional Responsibilities

To undertake mentoring and assist in the professional development of newly qualified staff and those below SCP 30.

SERVICE CONDITIONS STATEMENT

SOCIAL WORKER (UP TO SCP 30)

The conditions of service applicable to the post are those laid down by the National Joint Council for Local Authorities Administrative, Professional, Technical and Clerical Services (as applied by the Sheffield City Council).

The work undertaken in the first year following qualification is intended to equip the postholder with sufficient experience to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities. The team leader will provide regular professional supervision in order to assist in the development of appropriate skills and to develop knowledge in the key areas of human behaviour, information about policies, departmental resources and practices, law report writing and human growth and development.

The postholder is reminded that the nature of the work of this post can involve undertaking duties outside normal office hours and acceptance of the terms and conditions of service indicates a willingness to undertake such duties.

PROCEDURE FOR PROGRESSION

Progression to level 2 will be based upon the completion of 2 years post qualifying experience in mental health fieldwork, the satisfactory completion of PQ1 and an assessment which will look for the knowledge base and skills listed in the current pay and service conditions statement for level 2 workers.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

The conditions of service applicable to the post are those laid down by the National Joint Council for Local Authorities Administrative, Professional, Technical and Clerical Services (as applied by the Sheffield City Council).

The postholder is reminded that the nature of the work of this post can involve undertaking duties outside normal office hours and acceptance of the terms and conditions of service indicates a willingness to undertake such duties.

PERSON SPECIFICATION - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

POST TITLE: SOCIAL WORKER, MENTAL HEALTH

SKILLS

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS/TRAINING

Sheffield City Council

Role Profile Description

• Determine any hazards that exist or that may develop
• Take proper action to mitigate to immediate risk and control future risk potential
• Reduction of risk to the health and safety of staff and service users and the wider community

• Identification of service users’ needs
• Provision of appropriate intervention to support service users
• Protection of vulnerable individuals

• Assessment of user requirements; service provider informed of resource need
• Appropriate intervention delivered to service user(s)
• Health, safety, wellbeing and reduction of risk to individuals and the community

• Service users receive the appropriate medication and care in line with professional health staff’s instructions and standard procedures
• Preserve life, health and safety of service user

• Provision of proper, appropriate and timely intervention to support service users
• Optimal and efficient use of resources
• Take action on deficiencies assessed

• Provision of good practice in service area
• Protection of the community and vulnerable individuals

• Optimum and effective provision of services to service users in good time
• Decisions taken are informed by up to date, accurate information
• Actions taken are appropriate to the known circumstances

• Existence of clear record of actions, circumstances and decisions

• Provision of evidence to support the well-being and security of vulnerable individuals
• Provision of information concerning conduct and actions of service providers
• Provision of professional advice tolawyers

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