Southend-on-Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community.  We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the Southend 2050 ambition and make lives better for the people of Southend.

Working for Southend-on-Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovate environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work-life balance.  As a Unitary Authority, we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

Southend-on-Sea City Council are looking to appoint a full-time, permanent mental health experienced Social Worker to join the newly formed Adult Mental Health Team.

Working with a sometimes-complex caseload, you will undertake Care Act Assessments, review existing Mental Capacity Assessments, Mental Health Tribunal Reports, Court of Protection Reviews and act as a Social Supervisor for restricted patients under the Mental Health Act.

As a professional Social Worker, you will support adults aged 18 and over, young people transitioning to adult social care and their carers, playing a key role in promoting independence, wellbeing, and choice by providing a proactive, preventative, strength-based social work service. Working directly with individuals and their carers, to help them understand their strengths, assets, and desired outcomes; empowering them to identify and build solutions that enable them to lead safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

The council encourages and supports all qualified social workers with 2 years’ post registered experience to achieve and maintain additional qualifications and assume additional responsibilities.

These qualifications are currently:

• Approved Mental Health Practitioner
• Practice Educator
• Best Interest Assessor

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviors which underpin our Trust’s core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving the lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others & being open to new ideas.

Hybrid working opportunities are available. However, a flexible approach is needed as you will be required to be on site a minimum of 2 days a week, and it is essential that you are a car driver and have access to a vehicle.

To be successful in this position you must be able to work in the UK, have a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with the Social Work England and have completed your ASYE.

Current experience within Adult Social Work is essential, previous mental health experience would be beneficial to the post.

You will ideally have experience in working within a local authority setting and be able to demonstrate your commitment to effective team working.

As a social worker you will need to have: - excellent communication skills; be proficient with using various computer systems and programmes; a good manager of time and be able to work under pressure; working experience of knowledge of working with adults and older people; experience of safeguarding; and experience of undertaking Mental Capacity Act assessments.

Pension:
 Southend-on-Sea City Council provide membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) for employees aged under 75. The LGPS is a generous scheme and provides you with a future income, independent of share prices and stock market fluctuations.

Leave Entitlements:

We offer our employees a generous leave entitlement from 25 days up to 32 days based on length of service (Continuous service). Southend-on-Sea City Council also offer a range of flexible working and family-friendly leave.

*We also offer paid time off to allow employees to undertake volunteering activities*

Here at Southend-on-Sea City Council we also offer our employees free access to a benefit portal that provides access to wellbeing support and a range of salary sacrifice schemes to help spread the cost of items, including:

• Bicycles, cars, electronics and gym membership.
• The portal also provides access to a range of discounts on products and services including retail, food shopping, travel, dining out and leisure activities.
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Nowhere else will you gain as much experience on the job, making us a sought-after place to work. If you are passionate, dedicated to making a change and ready for a challenge – you could be the candidate we are looking for.

If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply online' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.

For a full JD on the post

 click here

If you are wanting further information that isn't in the JD, please contact Nathalie Nathalie.s@hays.com

Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above, so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.

All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check.

The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.