Responsibilities

Do you want to become part of a team that places a premium on listening and learning, and which is determined to make a difference?

We have a fantastic opportunity for a dynamic Social Work Assistant who is passionate about enabling clients to fulfil their potential, whilst promoting self-determination, to join our East Locality Team.

If you have experience in the field of Health and Social Care, assessing needs, a real desire to enable clients to achieve or maintain their goals of living independently, and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment - we want to hear from you!

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

About the role

You will assess and review the needs of clients who are being referred for, or already in receipt of, care and support services, and undertake and produce high quality assessments, reviews, and care and support plans which focus on both achieving independence for and desired outcomes of the individual.

You will work in partnership with other professionals and organisations to support our residents effectively and holistically. Social Work Assistants will endorse and act in accordance with the principles of personalisation, ensuring that care and support plans are person-centred, and as far as is safely possible, you will put the people with whom you work with in control of their lives.

Mobile:

A ‘mobile’ role gives you the flexibility to schedule your own diary, so you can meet with colleagues and clients in a variety of locations. You’ll access digital folders and resources on your laptop and be able to use the network wherever you are based. Working from home will be common, as well as meeting your team in the office where necessary.

Please see the job summary for more information.

About you

We are looking for a Social Work Assistant who is passionate, supportive, motivated, and confident when supporting and communicating with people - either on the telephone or face to face.

Your work will include carrying out needs’ assessments, creating person-centred and strengths-based care plans, ensuring delivery of services, and reviewing outcomes with the individual, their personal networks and support providers.

You will also demonstrate emotional resilience and intelligence - which is the ability to maintain focus and to ‘keep going’ despite setbacks and stressful situations.

Other information

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Be familiar with the services provided by a range of partners and communities.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the needs of vulnerable adults.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of assessment and support planning.
• Extensive experience of working with vulnerable adults and adults with complex needs 
• Experience of working with a variety of Microsoft Office systems.
• Experience of working with professionals within social care including social workers, nurses and occupational therapists.
• Be able to work effectively within a complex professional environment.
• Be able to manage competing demands.
• Be able to directly support colleagues undertaking joint work.
• Commitment to training and personal development.
• Be able to work alone and use initiative within boundaries set by the Team Manager/Advanced Practitioner.
• Knowledge of financial assessment processes.
• Significant sensitivity and empathy to build trusting and supportive relationships with clients and families. 
• Excellent communication skills 
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Commitment to continuous professional development 
• Ability to demonstrate a commitment to individual and reflective supervision 
• Enhanced DBS check 
• Full driving license with access to a vehicle 
• Ability to work flexibly, evenings and weekends 

Desirable:

• An extensive understanding of best practice linked to Social Work and underpinning legislation.
• Educated to A Level standard or equivalent
• To possess a Health and Social Care qualification/Certificate