Social Worker, Health and Homeless Inclusion Team

Job Introduction

About Us

Do you want to help us radically change the way we deliver social care?

Join Oxfordshire County Council on an exciting journey towards Delivering the Future Together, our ambitious transformation programme which is enabling us to be an employer, partner, and place shaper of choice.  We’re seeking the right people who can help us get there while embracing our value of ‘daring to do it differently’, as we continue to strive to do better.

In Adult Services, this means we're daring to do adult social care differently by supporting Oxfordshire’s residents to stay fit, healthy and independent in their communities for as long as possible through a strength’s-based approach.  Working with local NHS services, care providers and community and voluntary groups, we make the most of what each of our strengths are, pulling in the same direction, and united by one shared vision.

This means we keep the people we support at the heart of all that we do. And that works. By listening to people and building on the positives in their lives, we can work collaboratively to help them live the lives they want with the right support around them. 

It is something we call the Oxfordshire Way and we can’t do it alone – our proactive, positive approach to social care gives everyone the opportunity to make a bigger difference. If we’re doing a good job, we don’t stand still – we’re ambitious and we’re always striving to do better; it’s in our DNA.

About the Role

This post is based in Adult Social Care and the post holder will be required to work collaboratively across adult social care and partner agencies to support and promote strong communities, making a real difference to the people and communities we serve, now, and for the future, whilst ensuring that we are delivering value for money. Support is delivered through a strength-based approach to create opportunities, build resilience and long-term support networks so that people live their lives as successfully, independently and as safely as possible. 

As part of the multi-disciplinary Oxfordshire Health and Homelessness Inclusion team, you will have the chance to help shape and drive through changes to the local provision of homelessness services, with an emphasis on early intervention and partnership working across services. There is potential within this role to work creatively and innovatively to meet the needs of this difficult to reach group.

The role will cover:

• You will have a case load mainly referred by St Mungos outreach team, the complex needs hostels and Step Down houses.
• You will be expected to participate in the multiagency assessment of people staying in Step Down houses post-discharge.
• Client-facing work generally comprises assessments under the Care Act or s117 of the Mental Health Act, support planning and review, safeguarding enquiries, assessments of mental capacity, supporting clients with housing and homelessness applications, advocacy and supporting people to access other services as required.
• In addition you will play a role in supporting staff teams within local homelessness services and the wider OHHI team, bringing your knowledge of social work theory, models and values as well as legal literacy to improve service provision for people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness.
• We also offer training and development for services we work closely with. The ideal candidate would participate in delivering (and potentially devising) training and would champion best practice, values and trauma-informed care.
• The work base will be Oxford City but the candidate would need to travel across Oxfordshire and expect some infrequent out of county travel. There is scope for working from home for a portion of the week subject to discussion with PSSW and ensuring that required in-person meetings and events are attended.

The post holder will work within the competency framework achieving completion and passing of progression to Grade 11, within the timescales set out in the criteria.

• Work within the requirements of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 1983 and any other relevant legislation, guidance and codes of practice, providing personalised information and advice to individuals, families and their carers.

• Use strength-based approaches, ensuring that in responding to eligible needs all options including the use of informal support networks, community resources, and the assessment of equipment and adaptations are explored in order to achieve identified outcomes.

• To undertake timely and proportionate assessments, reviews and professional interventions and other duties relating to individuals, families and carers.

• Ensure support plans are reflective of the persons needs and outcomes by providing a clear breakdown of how these are being met, regardless of determination of eligibility.

• Identify and make necessary arrangements where an individual would benefit from services which will improve and maintain independence, in particular reablement services and equipment including: 

• • To assess for and provide equipment including Assistive Technology to meet needs and reduce risk 
  • To assess and offer advice and facilitation of minor and major adaptations to properties
  • To assess and offer advice on moving and handling techniques (including postural management support) and the issue of appropriate equipment.
  • To work with housing partners to assist with re-housing applications in line with Local housing policy 

• To make telephone enquiries, undertake face to face visits in the community, facilitate clinics and be responsible for the management and prioritisation of a caseload. 

• To participate in duty including telephone and emergency advice.

• Fulfill the role of a trusted assessor; making an assessment of when to involve another social/health care professional where a specialist assessment, skill or intervention is required.

• Identify and appropriately report any adult and children safeguarding concerns and carry out safeguarding enquiries in accordance with the Care Act 2014, local procedures and within the principles of ‘making safeguarding personal’. 

• Identify and apply legal and professional knowledge and skills, balancing protection and risk using relevant decision-making and intervention to protect those at risk whilst promoting individuals to manage their own risk.

• Maintain comprehensive, accurate and professionally defensible records of work undertaken, to ensure compliance with organisational guidelines and professional standards. Where required write court reports and give evidence during legal proceedings. 

• Contribute to the development of the service i.e. by communicating new ideas or practice issues through means such as supervision, briefings, completion of council surveys, and team meetings.

• Provide supervision if required to identified staff or students in line with OCC Supervision Policy.

• Support and adhere to comments and complaints policies and procedures as required through attending the complaint meetings and implementing any learning actions and outcomes. 

• Work within departmental policies, procedures and guidelines including but not limited to GDPR, Data Protection Act, confidentiality and information sharing protocols.

• Take ownership of and responsibility for delivering against team and individual performance targets. 

• To be accountable for the commitment of financial resources within the scheme of delegation.

• Actively engage in continuous professional development in order to maintain professional registration which may include other roles including Approved Mental Health Practitioner, Practice Educator and Best Interest Assessor.

• Apply the principles of social justice, social inclusion and equality decision making in all casework, challenging issues of discrimination and oppression and demonstrating the confident application of ethical reasoning to professional practice.

About you

You are…

• Driven to do it differently to find creative solutions that problem solves with the person, rather than for the person.
• Willing to take responsibility, you are a self-leader who has the passion to promote people’s strengths to gain the best outcomes for people. 
• Kind and caring, with an understanding of and respect for individuals’ qualities, abilities and diverse backgrounds. 
• Advocating for equality and integrity in all you do with a commitment to human rights and social justice, and with your strong communication skills you will work collaboratively to achieve the best outcome.
• Always learning, to continuously develop your skills and knowledge in theory and case law.  
• Passionate about following the professional standards of SWE with a commitment to continue your professional development.

Rewards and benefits

• Up to 33 day’s holiday p.a. plus bank holidays - Option to ‘buy’ additional days
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Regular monthly formal and informal support and supervision
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Extensive Continuous Professional Development opportunities, career progression scheme including the opportunity to train as a Practice Educator, Best Interest Assessor or Adult Mental Health Practitioner.
• Learn more here: Our benefits | Jobs (oxfordshire.gov.uk) 

Our commitment to:
 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk