The Role

Richmond and Wandsworth Adult Social Care & Public Health Department has strong social work values and a focus on improving outcomes to vulnerable adults and their carers.

Wandsworth Adult Social Services have implemented a Discharge to Assess model in response to the government direction regarding hospital discharges in response to the COVID19 pandemic. Wandsworth operate a Discharge to Assess service that integrates health (Maximising Independence community therapy) and three social care teams (two hospital discharge Social Work teams and the Enablement team). This team works collaboratively to ensure that hospital discharges are safe and timely and works towards having care confirmed within two hours of receiving the referral. The work also includes assessment of care and support needs, support planning, case management, duty, and face to face assessments.

The current Discharge to Assess model is in operation seven days per week from 8:00am to 8:00pm. This role will include some weekend working.

Our St George’s Hospital team is looking for experienced, qualified, Senior Social Worker who shares our values and commitment and are passionate about improving lives of local residents. The successful applicant will work with our acute and community health partners to support safe and effective discharge over a seven day service.  

The Hospital team have bases in the following locations:

• St George’s Hospital
• Battersea Studios
• Wandsworth Town Hall

The teams consist of enthusiastic Social Workers and Social Care Assessors with a focus to provide a holistic, personalised, strength-based service to residents over the age of 18 who are require support when being discharged from hospital.  

As a qualified, SWE registered, Senior Social Worker the key aspects of the role include:

• Provide professional supervision to front line staff
• Participate in managing the duty service across St George’s Hospital and the Discharge to Assess service
• Provide SAM oversight on safeguarding cases
• To independently manage a caseload, including safeguarding enquiries
• To arrange and undertake Care Act Assessments including home visits, as per the Discharge to Assess guidance
• To arrange and undertake Mental Capacity Assessments and Best Interest Meetings
• To implement packages of care as per Discharge to Assess guidelines
• Deputise for the Assistant Service Manager
• Work in partnership with health and community colleagues
• To participate in Continued Professional Development 
• To maintain Social Work England professional standards

The person interested in this post will:

Have experience with

• Hospital discharge
• Care Act Assessments
• Mental capacity Assessments
• Safeguarding
• Using a strength based approach
• Screening referrals
• A ‘can do’ attitude to work
• Continuously seek better value for money and improved outcomes
• Have the interests of residents and service users at heart and ensuring they receive the highest standards of service provision
• Take a team approach that values collaboration and partnership working
• Have knowledge of current developments in relevant legislation, national guidance and frameworks and how to access more detailed information when necessary
• Have knowledge and experience in safeguarding adults
• Have good communication, decision-making and time management skills

We are committed to the development of our staff, and our Adult Social Care Academy offers a range of professional development opportunities for staff in Adult Social Care and Public Health. Our practices were recognised at the South West London Partnership awards in December 2020 where we won the following:

• Best NQSW of the year
• Best SW of the year
• Best Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) manager of the year

For an informal discussion regarding the roles please contact Sally Elliott, Assistant Service Manager via sally.elliott@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working including, working from home, job shares and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore. We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 39 paid days (pro rata) including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date: 13/06/2021

Shortlisting Date: 14/06/2021

Interview Date: 23/24/06/2021

Useful Information:

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please note that the advertised dates for interviews may change due to the current Covid-19 situation. If they do, we will let you know as soon as possible.

Your health and wellbeing is our top priority. Should you become unwell due to Covid-19 during the recruitment process we would very much appreciate receiving an update from you as soon as possible.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information:

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils