A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans, as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled, and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme, or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship, you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

Under the general direction of a Team Manager, and with support from Senior Social Workers, provide a high-quality and comprehensive social work service to adults, carers, and community in accordance with the organisational needs, policy, and practices of the Directorate and within statutory guidelines.

The post holder must at all times carry out responsibilities within the City Council’s Policies and Procedures, in particular the Council Policies on Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety, and also within the Social Work England Professional Standards.

Core Responsibilities

• To carry a caseload and undertake assessment of service users and carer needs using a person-centred approach in accordance with agreed statutory and directorate procedures.
• On the basis of assessed needs and risks, and using a person-centred approach, devise and implement service and support plans which correspond to the assessed needs of service users, their families, and carers in line with procedures.
• Responsible for analysing information to support the ongoing needs of service users, their families, and carers.
• To monitor and contribute to the review of plans relating to the assessed needs of service users, their families, and carers in accordance with directorate procedures.
• To use a Safeguarding framework to investigate and manage risks where individuals have experienced or are likely to experience significant harm.
• Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative, and based on an analysis of complex evidence which can be used within the legal context.
• Maintain and update case notes and other records, write reports as required.
• Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the limits of data protection.
• Be compliant with relevant governance, policy, and procedures.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure an integrated, holistic, and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of service users.
• Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers, and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
• Be responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies, and procedures.
• Responsible for planning and negotiating a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of service users within delegated levels of responsibility.
• Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required.
• Appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums and convene and chair multi-agency meetings in line with procedures.
• Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
• To work to and within the prescribed national Professional Capabilities Framework.
• Work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal.
• To participate in training and development activities that ensure up-to-date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development.
• To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council and Directorate policies and procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under Health and Safety policy and procedures.
• To actively promote and support Leeds City Council’s and Directorate policies on Equality and Diversity.
• To undertake any other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the grade and purpose of the job as may be determined by the directorate.

Responsibilities

• Undertake Community Care assessments.
• Investigate complaints of alleged neglect and/or abuse of adults.
• Undertake safeguarding investigations in accordance with legislative requirements and Multi-agency Safeguarding procedures.
• Undertake risk assessments, identify needs, and options.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with service users, their families, and carers: provide advice and support: promote independence and early intervention, as necessary; help resolve conflict, where appropriate.
• Under clear supervision, contribute to the enhanced screening of new referrals and people already in receipt of services.
• Work with adults, carers, and communities to help them make informed choices and decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.
• Where necessary, work in the court arena with appropriate support to obtain and implement court order.
• Construct value-for-money care packages; commission a range of services for individuals, groups, and communities designed to minimise risk and improve quality of life for service users and their carers.
• Contribute to the development of practice and services through participation in workshops and consultations.
• Manage an allocated caseload of service users, regularly monitor, review, and evaluate changes in service user needs, and ensure that all services contribute effectively to the support plan and remain an effective use of resources.
• Work with relevant agencies, including the convening and chairing of meetings.
• Work to be undertaken with supervision and guidance from the Team Manager. This may include elements of co-working more challenging/complex casework alongside more experienced workers.
• Carry out the Practice Educator Level 1 role.
• Participate in office duty on a rota basis, responding to new referrals, assessing urgency of requests, and with advice and support, if appropriate, implementing actions to meet immediate needs.
• With appropriate supervision and guidance and following a minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience, undertake Mental Capacity Act Assessments as set out in statute, document, and evidence assessments as required within statutorily defined time frames and make recommendations for authorisation.