Job Introduction
We're seeking an experienced Social Worker to join our Community Adult Social Care Team.
As a Senior Social Worker, you will play an integral role in assessing people following a period of illness, injury or hospital admission. This is a rewarding opportunity to work collaboratively with therapists and other health professionals to maximise people’s independence using a strengths-based approach.
If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of people following a change in their health and well-being and want to enable individuals to ensure they have the right care and support in place to promote their independence, then this is the ideal social work role for you.
Join a team that invests in your professional development and in promoting healthy ageing for the people of Milton Keynes. If you would like an informal conversation or to drop in and meet us before applying, you are warmly welcome to do so. Please contact Parita Shah on 01908 254456 to arrange.
About the Community Adult Social Care Team:
Our team consists of dedicated professionals who work collaboratively with health professionals to deliver Adult Care Services under the Care Act 2014 with a focus on supporting individuals following their period of intervention with Intermediate Care Services. We uphold professional standards, promote resilience, and ensure the well-being of both service users and our team members. With a focus on continuous improvement, we offer comprehensive support, training, and development opportunities to facilitate personal and professional growth.
At Milton Keynes Adult Social Care Services we take pride in our supportive work culture and try to go that extra mile when it comes to investing in our colleagues. Have a read of our Social Workers' testimonials and see for yourself. You can meet Poppy, our Principal Social Worker on our dedicated Landing Page for Social Workers.
Your Professional Development:
We recently developed and implemented our new career progression framework to create long term stability in the social worker workforce by creating opportunities for progression and supporting professional development. We also provide formal development for experienced social workers by supporting them to undertake practice educator, best interest assessor and AMHP training.
Your Wellbeing:
We understand the importance of providing support and resources to promote resilience and well-being. We are committed to providing a range of support and guidance to ensure that colleagues are able to seek the appropriate level of support, should they need to. This includes:
- Access to MKCC Employee Assistance Programme and Health Champions.
- Variety of Health and Wellbeing Workshops.
- Quality supervision and reflective practice sessions.
- Clear career progression pathways and support for professional registration fees.
- Exceptional pension scheme and other benefits.
Personal Summary:
Applicants are encouraged to complete the personal summary section of the application. This is your opportunity to showcase your skills and knowledge.
*T&C’s apply
Main Responsibility
- Carry out strengths-based and person-centred assessments in partnership with individuals and their carers.
- Apply legal frameworks relevant to the role including Care Act 2014, and Mental Capacity Act 2005 etc.
- Work together with professionals across health and social care to meet individual’s needs.
- Manage a complex case load and maintain accurate case records and complete required reports within agreed timescales.
- Manage competing demands to maintain flow through the system.
- Complete safeguarding enquiries, mental capacity assessments and best interest’s decisions with guidance from line manager.
- Attend and contribute to regular supervision meetings to ensure effective communication and informed decision making.
- Be responsible for updating own development, sharing best practice and case law to maintain high standards of care.
- Provide professional leadership to other members of the team to aid their practice and development.
The Ideal Candidate
- Detailed knowledge of legal frameworks such as the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Health and Social Care Act 2022.
- Post-qualification experience as a Best Interest Assessor/Practice Educator/Approved Mental Health Practitioner is desirable.
- For this role you are required to have a full UK driving licence and provide evidence of your vehicle insurance with business cover and use of a vehicle. If you are successful, you will be required to supply evidence of your licence prior to starting the role.
- Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks an Enhanced DBS will be actioned for you (unless you are on the DBS Update Service).
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
