Address
Form of work
SalaryDescription
We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.
The starting salary for this role is £44,614 per annum based on a 36-hour working week.
We are excited to announce that we are hiring two Senior Social Workers to join our fantastic Section 117 Team. These are secondment opportunities up to 31st March 2025 (please ensure you have agreement from your Line Manager before submitting your application).
We are currently looking for two individuals who are interested in developing their practice in this specialised domain. Ideally, you will have experience of working with Section 117 already however, this is not essential. We are most interested in recruiting individuals who are keen to learn, progress their professional development and grow with our team!
The team is based at Fairmount House in Leatherhead; however, the successful candidates will have the choice to work flexibly, in accordance with Surrey County Council's hybrid working charter.
Rewards and Benefits
- 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
- Annual leave allowance (for bank) or remove for term time
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
- 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About the Team
The s117 team has been in operation since April 2021 and has made progressive milestones during this period. We are a small and close-knit team, supporting Section 117 (Mental Health Act) practice and processes across Surrey County Council. We work alongside health colleagues to ensure that all Surrey residents who are eligible for s117 aftercare receive the best outcomes and that their needs are met appropriately. We support and advise practitioners with s117-related enquiries, including complex and ordinary residence scenarios. The team does not hold or manage cases but supports practitioners with all aspects of s117-related work.
About the Role
These roles involve initial completion of Care Act assessments followed by creation of a person's Section 117 plan. In line with the aims of Section 117 aftercare, you will support and actively promote wellbeing and independence - enabling individuals and carers to retain or regain their skills and confidence, whilst preventing or reducing the risk of deterioration of a person's mental health.
Section 117 is a joint responsibility between social services and the NHS and as such, you will work closely with our Health partners. This role may involve investigative work to determine a person's ordinary residence and liaising with other local authorities or Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), to resolve uncertainties around Section 117 responsibilities. As a Senior Social Worker, you will be expected to work with some autonomy however the two Senior Practitioner Specialist Leads are always on hand to support with complex cases.
Some service users may not have been reviewed for some time or may have complex needs. The successful candidates will demonstrate expert and effective practice in complex situations, providing a professional social work service to adults, their families and carers living in Surrey.
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:
- You are a qualified Social Worker.
- Knowledge of the Care Act and Section 117 Mental Health Act.
- Completion of Surrey County Council's Section 117 Training – if not already completed, this must be done on appointment.
- An ability to communicate effectively and to problem solve.
- An ability to complete strengths-based assessments with service users who may present with complex challenges and/or have disengaged from services.
- An ability to work with some autonomy.
Applicants must hold a valid Driving Licence to drive in the UK and have access to a car.
Contact us
For an informal discussion to learn more about the role, please feel free to contact one of our Specialist Leads:
- Ivy Da Fonseca Cristina via MS Teams or email Ivy.dafonsecacristina@surreycc.gov.uk
- Rachelle Tassé via MS Teams or email - Rachelle.tasse@surreycc.gov.uk.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 28th January 2024 with interviews planned for week commencing 12th February 2024.
Our Values
Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also attached provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:
- The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
- The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
