Social Worker - Learning Disability & Autism Service (Adults)

About the job

What will I be doing?

Working as part of a small, supportive Learning Disability and Autism service in the West or East of Somerset, completing Care Act assessments, reviews, mental capacity assessments, Safeguarding Enquiries and Court of Protection work. We operate a duty system in both sides of the County that everyone in the team participates in. This offers different ways of working with the people we support for example using motivational interviewing skills and crisis intervention work and positive risk management.

You will be given the opportunity to work closely with colleagues and specialist professionals to contribute to decision making as part of our weekly Peer Forum discussions. These are designed to enable a “critical friend” approach to request for increases to personal budgets and packages of care.

We work closely with other specialist teams in the Authority such as Preparing for Adulthood, Commissioning, Occupational Therapy, DOLS team, Mental Health, Safeguarding, and CHC as well as having close links and partnership working with our LD Health colleagues in Somerset Foundation Trust.

We advocate working in a strength based and personalised way, operating under the three conversations model to enable people to live more independent and fulfilling lives with positive outcomes.

Our goal of working with people to develop gloriously ordinary lives remains the same throughout our practice which means:

• Encouraging people to be independent, helping them grow their confidence and make the most of the support available to suit their individual needs.
• Identifying what people and families are worried about or what they want to achieve, exploring what support they already have and what they need.
• Developing great knowledge of your local area and working in partnership with local agencies.
• Providing creative solutions.
• Being a critical part of developing our new and exciting Adult Social Care service.

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 this role you will:

• Be a qualified Social Worker and be registered with Social Work England.
• Have access to/use of a vehicle is an essential requirement for this role. 

What's 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.

Some key information

Locations:

(when applying, please state the area you’d like to be considered for)

• Bridgwater & North Sedgemoor
• South Somerset
• Mendip
• Hybrid working opportunities
• 30 days annual leave entitlement