Job Description

Job info	Job info details
Job title	Experienced Social Worker
Strategic team/Directorate	Adults and Community Services
Service	Operational Division
Business unit	Adult Social Care
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Team Manager
Accountable to (line manager)	Team Manager
Salary grade	I - J
JE ref	ADC053

1. Key purpose of job

The post holder is a core member of the Adult Social Care team, contributing to effective assessment, care planning and discharge arrangements for working‑age adults in Torbay and for Torbay residents placed in out‑of‑area hospital settings.
The role involves undertaking holistic, strengths‑based social care assessments in partnership with individuals, families and carers, developing and reviewing care and support plans, and commissioning services to ensure that needs are met in a proportionate, effective and cost‑conscious way, in line with statutory duties, organisational policy and agreed procedures.
The post holder has clear professional responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children, operating in a manner consistent with Human Rights legislation and Making Safeguarding Personal principles.
The post holder is professionally accountable for the delivery of statutory social work functions, including Care Act 2014 assessments and eligibility determinations, safeguarding enquiries, and Mental Capacity Act 2005 capacity assessments and best‑interest decision‑making. Professional judgement must be exercised lawfully, proportionately and in accordance with relevant legislation, professional standards and organisational policy.
To mentor and coach peers including those less experienced and newly qualified social workers, ensuring a focus on evidence-informed practice.
To understand and promote the core business of the Torbay Safeguarding Adults Partnership and deliver its priorities.
To ensure the most cost-effective care packages are established, delivered, monitored, comply with all relevant statutory requirements and department policies, standards and guidelines and are delivered within budget.
To carry out or obtain assessment of service user need and manage a full caseload of complex and appropriate work relevant to the professional discipline.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

High professional standards and measurable improved outcomes for adults and older people are achieved.
To contribute to a caring and vibrant adult social care service, working in the Bay.
You will make a positive difference in delivering holistic adult social care assessments, working in partnership with service users, families and carers.
To deliver quality social care to individuals.
Engender a team culture of evidence informed practice, leading by example.
Communication and celebration of good professional practice.
Challenge and change of poor professional practice.
Evidence the Impact of continuing professional development on practice.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Leads for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive, Director of Adults and Communities and Director of Children’s Services.
The post holder will undertake and lead proportionate Care Act 2014 assessments and reviews, determining eligibility for care and support and exercising professional judgement in complex and contested situations. Decisions will be clearly evidenced, with defensible rationales recorded in line with statutory requirements, organisational policy and professional standards.
The post holder will develop, review and authorise care and support plans in partnership with individuals, families and carers, ensuring that plans are strengths based, outcomes focused and proportionate, and that they promote independence, wellbeing and choice while balancing risk and available resources.
The post holder will lead and coordinate safeguarding activity in accordance with the Care Act 2014 and Making Safeguarding Personal principles, including undertaking or coordinating Section 42 enquiries where appropriate. This will include exercising professional curiosity, collaborating with partner agencies and ensuring timely and proportionate safeguarding responses.
The post holder will undertake complex, decision specific Mental Capacity Act 2005 assessments and will lead or coordinate best interest decision making processes. Practice will reflect the least restrictive principle, balancing autonomy, protection and risk, and escalate legal or ethical complexity where required.
The post holder will apply legislation, proportionality and ethical practice throughout all aspects of their work, ensuring that interventions are lawful, necessary and focused on achieving outcomes that matter to people.
The post holder will identify and manage complexity, uncertainty and risk in practice, recognising the limits of personal authority and appropriately escalating risk, legal uncertainty or professional disagreement through supervision, management or relevant governance routes to support safe and lawful decision making.
The post holder will maintain accurate, timely and defensible records that evidence statutory compliance, professional judgement and decision making, contributing to service quality, assurance processes, complaints responses and legal scrutiny where required.
The post holder will work effectively within multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environments, contributing to effective system working, including hospital discharge planning, and managing inter agency challenge constructively and professionally.
The post holder will operate as an autonomous registered professional, providing professional challenge where appropriate, modelling good social work practice, actively engaging in supervision and reflective practice, and contributing to learning, development and continuous improvement within the service.
Contribute to the promotion of resources within the community to prevent the need for Adult Services or statutory intervention, by actively collaborating with service users, their families and partner agencies including the NHS.
Maintain records and comply with financial and administrative IT procedures, including electronic case recording.
Evidence of continued professional development in areas relevant to adult social care and the development of the profession.
To comply with Financial Regulations and business support policies and procedures.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

The post holder will work within delegated financial and commissioning authority (scheme of delegation), to commission care packages contributing to the arrangement, review and monitoring of care and support services to ensure that they remain appropriate, proportionate and cost‑effective.
The post holder will ensure that individuals are referred for financial assessment where required and are kept informed of any financial implications associated with the provision of services, in line with organisational procedures.
The post holder will recognise high‑cost, high‑risk or exceptional support arrangements and will escalate these for appropriate authorisation in accordance with delegated decision‑making and governance arrangements.
The post holder will be accountable for the responsible use of allocated equipment and resources in the course of their duties.

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

No direct line management responsibility.
The post holder will contribute to professional supervision, reflective practice and learning within the team and may support the development of less experienced practitioners where required.
To provide mentoring and professional advice to less experienced staff, as directed by the Team Manager.
Contribute to the continuing professional development of staff by promoting and identifying potential learning needs and support the delivery of ‘protected time’ to pursue learning opportunities (minimum of half a day per calendar month). Through this process ensure that appropriate national professional standards/competencies are being met and monitored.
Contribute to the recruitment, retention, and motivation of team members.
Promote the use of learning logs.
Demonstrate leadership competencies, acting with openness, honesty, integrity, instilling a clear sense of direction and purpose, priority and pace.
Model excellent professional practice and standards.

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

Requirement to visit people in community settings, including lone working, visiting clients on their own homes where poor environment and home conditions can be a factor. This may include a level of risk or challenge.
Requirement to visit people in more secure settings such as residential/nursing homes or supported living settings.

7. Physical demands of the post

Normal physical demands.

8. Specific resources used by the post

Normal agile working and office equipment.
Use of own vehicle.
You may be required to carry/transport professional equipment.

9. Key contacts and relationships

External:

Colleagues in Partnership Agencies including, health, police, education providers and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector/ Engage with regulatory bodies including Social Work England and the Care Quality Commission. Court staff. Young people, older adults and parents/carers.

Internal:

Colleagues in all adult services teams, all other Council departments and Council members.

10. Other duties

To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

All staff must commit to the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Children’s Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council.
This post is office based at Union House, Torquay but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date.
This post is eligible for hybrid working.
As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement.
The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
If this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Experienced Social Worker
Strategic team/Directorate	Adults and Community Services
Service	Operational Division
Business unit	Adult Social Care

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

Ability to exercise professional judgement within statutory frameworks and clearly evidence decision‑making rationale.
Ability to apply range of Adult Social Care legislation, proportionality and least‑restrictive practice in complex situations.
Ability to provide professional challenge and engage in reflective supervision.
Ability to present as an excellent role model for good practice within the multi-disciplinary team.
Ability to provide information and advice around hospital discharge planning to include funding, and also commissioned services in social care.
Ability to take a lead role in jointly-worked complex cases.
Ability to think laterally whilst maximising quality outcomes from resources.
Ability to work on own initiative while making positive use of supervision and training.
Ability to use IT-based Care management systems.
Ability to make decisions in accordance with the statutory requirements of the post.
Ability to manage time effectively in assessing, planning, monitoring and reviewing service user’s needs and services.
Good reporting and recording skills.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with a broad range of people.
Ability to work within corporate policy and an awareness of Equal Opportunities.
Commitment to the concepts of a needs-led service, quality standards and service user choice within the context.
Proven ability to demonstrate anti-discriminatory practice.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Able to convey respect for others.
Ability to demonstrate skills in mediation, negotiation and problem solving.
Able to assess situations with clarity and sensitivity and act professionally in crisis situations.
Ability to take a lead role in jointly worked cases.
Demonstrate skills in working to achieve focussed outcomes.
High level analytical skills.
Ability to mentor others to uphold and promote the ethical principles and values that guide professional practice and thereby ensures compliance with policies.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

Ability to act as a consultant on practice-based issues for other health and social care practitioners.
Ability to undertake risk assessments within all aspects of day-to-day work.
Ability to provide formal supervision to students where appropriate.

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

Knowledge of Making Safeguarding Personal and strengths‑based social work practice.
Knowledge of professional standards and regulatory requirements relevant to Social Work England.
Advanced and detailed knowledge/skills of Care Act.
Proven knowledge/skills of Mental Capacity Act.
Knowledge of Managing Expectations.

Desirable knowledge

Health and Safety in the workplace legislation.
Knowledge of Continuing Care/ Registered Nursing Care Contribution.
Knowledge of Direct Payments and Independent Living Fund.
Knowledge of Intermediate Care.
Knowledge of end-of-life care.

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

Significant post qualification experience of safeguarding complex adult processes.
Post qualification experience of mental capacity assessment and development of best interest decision.
Significant post qualification experience of working with or within in a local authority setting.
Experience of supporting others and assuring compliance to policy and procedures.
Experience of working with complex cases and making robust evidenced informed decisions.
Evidence of having delivered improved outcomes and impact for vulnerable adults.
Demonstrate advanced and detailed skills in direct work with vulnerable adults and their carers.

Desirable experience and achievements

Experience of court of protection.
Experience of court work (family, coroner, or criminal court).
Experience of working with people around end of life care and discharge planning.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

Relevant professional Social Work qualification – Degree/Diploma Work, Certificate of Qualification in Social Work, Certificate in Social Services.
Registered with professional body Social Work England.
Commitment to continued professional development.

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

Post Qualifying consolidation and commitment to post qualification training.

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties.
Ability to accommodate unsociable hours.
Ability to accommodate shift patterns.
Ability to accommodate on-call working.
Ability to accommodate occasional home-working.