Location: United Kingdom
Salary: £35,392 to £42,618 per annum (pro-rata, inclusive of 5% HCAS)
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time
Certificate of Sponsorship: Available
Closing Date: 22 May 2025
Overview of the Role
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is looking for a dedicated Band 6 Social Worker to join their community mental health care team in Stevenage and North Hertfordshire. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced social worker with a passion for delivering high-quality mental health services within a supportive, multi-disciplinary environment.
The position involves working directly with service users and their carers, supporting their mental health recovery journey. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing care to a diverse caseload, delivering tailored assessments and care plans, and ensuring all interventions adhere to the recovery framework principles.
Key Responsibilities
As a Social Worker within HPFT, your primary duties will include:
1. Client Care and Assessments
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Deliver comprehensive assessments for individuals experiencing mental health issues, ensuring the right care and support are put in place.
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Develop personalized care plans that prioritize the autonomy, independence, and recovery of service users.
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Ensure continuous evaluation of clients’ needs and progress, in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team.
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Engage service users and carers in their care planning, supporting them to understand available services and treatment options.
2. Multidisciplinary Collaboration
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Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, liaising with medical professionals, carers, and external agencies to provide seamless support.
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Act as a liaison for service users, helping them navigate through available mental health services and community resources.
3. Advocacy and Support
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Champion the principles of choice, control, and independence for service users, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.
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Provide direct advice and guidance to service users and carers to help them make informed decisions regarding their care.
4. Safeguarding and Risk Management
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Lead safeguarding initiatives to protect vulnerable adults, ensuring that their wellbeing is maintained throughout care delivery.
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Perform regular risk assessments to manage and minimize potential harm to clients, especially those experiencing complex mental health challenges.
5. Professional Development and Supervision
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Engage in continuous professional development to remain up-to-date with best practices and legislative changes.
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Provide reflective supervision for newly qualified social workers and junior social care staff to support their professional growth.
Key Qualifications and Experience
To be successful in this role, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Essential
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Social Work Qualification: An appropriate professional social work qualification (degree or equivalent).
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Social Work England Registration: Active registration with Social Work England.
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Experience in Social Care: Proven experience in providing community-based social care, particularly within mental health services.
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Assessment and Care Planning Skills: Extensive experience conducting assessments focused on personalisation, choice, and control.
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Safeguarding Experience: Knowledge and experience of safeguarding practices, with the ability to undertake safeguarding investigations and care planning.
Desirable
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Advanced Qualifications: Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or Best Interests Assessor (BIA) qualifications.
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Specialist Experience: Experience in working with individuals with complex mental health needs, particularly in adult safeguarding or older adult care.
Working at HPFT: What You Can Expect
HPFT is committed to providing a supportive and enriching environment for its employees. As a member of the HPFT family, you can expect:
1. Competitive Salary and Benefits
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A starting salary of £35,392 to £42,618, dependent on experience and qualifications.
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Inclusive of a 5% HCAS (High Cost Area Supplement), reflecting the demands of the role and location.
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A generous benefits package including pension, annual leave, and various health and wellbeing initiatives.
2. Career Development and Training
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Opportunities for professional growth, including access to ongoing training and development programs.
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Support to progress your career within the NHS, with clear pathways for advancement.
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Access to reflective supervision to help you continually develop as a social worker.
3. Work-Life Balance
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Full-time, permanent position with flexible working patterns to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.
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The ability to work from multiple locations across Hertfordshire, providing a variety of work environments.
4. Positive Work Environment
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A supportive and inclusive workplace culture where your contributions are valued.
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Work alongside a dedicated and professional team committed to providing exceptional care to service users.
About Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
HPFT is an award-winning NHS Foundation Trust, recognized for its outstanding services and ambitious goals. We provide essential mental health and specialist learning disability services to over 400,000 people across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk.
Our Values
We operate with a strong commitment to our core values of being:
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Welcoming
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Kind
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Positive
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Respectful
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Professional
Our services are built on these values, ensuring that everything we do reflects our dedication to providing the highest standard of care for those who rely on us. HPFT is proud of its “great together” journey, focused on innovation, improvement, and transformation to deliver outstanding care for our communities.
Role Specifics
Location: Health and Wellbeing Centre, Hemel Hempstead
Salary: £35,392 to £42,618 (inclusive of 5% HCAS)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Closing Date: 22 May 2025
Reference Number: 367-SS-9365
Job Requirements and Skills
Knowledge, Training, and Experience
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Essential:
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Professional qualification in social work and registration with Social Work England.
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Experience in assessments, safeguarding, and care planning.
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Knowledge of legislation like The Care Act 2014 and understanding of personal budgets and direct payments.
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Desirable:
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Experience in a leadership role, such as an Approved Mental Health Professional or Best Interests Assessor.
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Skills
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Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze service user data and assess their needs to create personalized care plans.
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Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, particularly when dealing with sensitive or complex information.
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Teamwork and Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively with various healthcare professionals and external partners.
Diversity and Equal Opportunities
HPFT is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to promoting diversity within its workforce. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, disability, or age. We aim to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and are committed to fostering an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and supported.
Additional Information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This position is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check due to the nature of the role.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications are welcome from job seekers who require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK. For further information, visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For more details, please see the NHS Careers website.
How to Apply
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please submit your application via the HPFT recruitment portal by 22 May 2025. Ensure you include your CV, covering letter, and relevant qualifications.