Advanced Social Worker - Grade 14 (£51,522 - 53607)

Advanced Social Worker 

Salary: Grade 14 ( £51,522 - 53,607 - pay settlement pending)

Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent

Number of Hours: 36

Location: New Addington Locality Team Older Adults over 65

Division: Adult Health & Social Care Services

Adult Social Care OP people over 65

Position Type: Advanced Social Worker - New Addington Locality Team Adults -Older People Over 65 

About Croydon

Croydon is a naturally ambitious council – so we’re looking for inspirational leaders who share our passion for supporting business growth and responding to local needs. Strong partnerships and collaboration are the foundation for the future. 

That’s why we’re constantly looking forward. We need to find creative new ways of working together with other agencies and the private sector to deal with the financial challenges ahead. Because with growth comes increased demand – but also huge opportunities.

Chances like this only come along once in a generation, and our task, and maybe yours, is to shape a positive future for Croydon’s residents and businesses alike.

Additionally, the staff here at Croydon are friendly and supportive of their peers. The transport links are also excellent.

About the Role

The Team consists of Health and Wellbeing Assessors, Social Workers, Experienced Social Workers, Advanced Social Workers and a Team Manager. We are seeking a social work qualified and experienced Advanced Practitioner to join our team based in the New Addington and Selsdon Locality area.

As an Advanced Social Worker, you will be responsible for the supervision of a number of experienced social workers, newly qualified social workers, social workers and health and wellbeing assessors. You will be required to assist the Team Manager in all aspects of staff development, providing support and advice to less experienced staff members, and may be required to deputise in the Team Manager’s absence. It is expected that all advanced social workers will provide practice and/or professional leadership, through the development of research-informed practice, quality assurance, staff development, and management, and will also help to influence and contribute to strategic development in the organisation.

Practice Education qualification is desirable.

Key Responsibilities:

·       Working in localities, focusing on prevention and early intervention, and taking a whole family, strengths-based community led support approach, work alongside residents and their families to maximise their life chances and outcomes. 

·       Using the Community Led Support resource wheel and other strengths based, person resources, hold good conversations with people in places where they feel most at ease, such as community venues to help people identify their strengths, gifts and abilities and those of their families, friends and communities.  Help to connect people with people and with communities to support a good life. 

·       Co-create support plans with people that enhance their strengths and help achieve their ambitions. For those who have eligible care and support needs as defined by the Care Act 2014 that require statutory or paid support, help to arrange that in ways which support peoples’ own strengths and those of their families friends and community. 

·       To provide a social care perspective, within a multidisciplinary setting, to address the needs of adults and safeguard adults, including those with mental health problems, in both the community and hospital, under the terms of the Care Act 2014, the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007) and other relevant legislation.

·       To hold continuing responsibility for a caseload which includes the most complex cases.

·       To practice as a Best Interests Assessor /Safeguarding Adults Manager (SAM)

·       To supervise staff and assist the Team Manager in all aspects of staff development best practice, reflective and continuous professional development 

·       Assist the Team Manager with: monitoring the impact on service budgets of the financial commitments being made by team members; identifying specific activities to be undertaken to contribute to the team’s budget efficiencies work and overseeing progress to ensure effective budget management.  

·       Deputise for the Team Manager as required and support the operational implementation of cultural and behavioural change in practice.

·       Work closely with all teams across the division to development new approaches to ensure resilient services/models are in place which maximise residents’ rehabilitation/reablement potential which prevent hospital admissions and ensure timely hospital discharge.

Essential Requirements:

·       Social Work qualification recognised by and registered with Social Work England (SWE)

·       Have successfully completed BIA training and hold (or be eligible to hold) a licence to undertake DOLS assessments.

·       Have successfully completed other relevant post-qualifying training / awards and can demonstrate how this has improved their standards of professional practice. 

·       Experience of chairing safeguarding and Best Interest Meetings 

·       Experience of staff supervision

Working in Croydon

Applicants wishing to join our aspiring and progressive adult social care service team will have a commitment to team working and an enthusiasm for contributing to sharing ideas that support the development of all our services. Candidates will demonstrate professionalism, creativity and drive in their approach to person centred practice and problem solving; and an ability to work flexibly in response to a rapidly changing public service environment. Additionally senior management, the staff here at Croydon are friendly and supportive of their peers. The transport links are excellent.

Applicants will demonstrate exceptionally strong social work practice skills and sound knowledge of key legislation and aspirations to extend their practice experience and skills. Candidates at this level will be expected to show evidence of completion of relevant post-qualification awards, as well as capacity to take on some leadership and supervisory responsibilities around safeguarding triaging. Appointed applicants will share in supporting their manager’s leadership of the team to deliver progressive services and promote and maintain high standards of practice.

In return we offer scope to our staff team to progress their career, develop their individual professional practice, analytical and creative skills, and a department wide commitment to realistic workloads and regular supervision. 

Flexible working applications are welcome.

For further information and informal discussion please contact:  (Samalie Semakula, Team Manager for New Addington Locality Team at Samalie.semakula@croydon.gov.uk, ext 21399 or alternatively phone and ask to speak to the Recruitment Team 02087266000. 

Closing Date: 18/05/2025

Interviews: week commencing 02/06/2025