Mental Health Social Worker

There may be the opportunity for a Crediton base should it be a preference to the applicant.

The successful candidate will be placed in an experienced social care team with a stable workforce who make a real difference to the lives of individuals with mental health conditions.

Please state your preference for either Community Work or Hospital Discharge within your personal statement

Duties

• Delivering a social care pathway in line with the requirements of the Care Act 2014;
• A strong focus on offering a personalised and person-centred approach to assessment, support planning, safeguarding and review;
• Strong, effective communication skills as you will be working in partnership with other statutory and voluntary sector organisations;
• Commitment to involving service users and carers in the delivery of a high quality and equitable service

About you

An experienced and qualified Social Worker (CQSW, DipSW, BA Hons, MA or equivalent) who is registered to practice with Social Work England (previously HCPC).

You will have completed the Assessed First Year in (post-qualifying) Social Work practice, if appropriate, and can demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development as we are committed to supporting you to look at post-qualifying opportunities during your career with us.

Bringing a comprehensive working knowledge of the issues currently impacting on social care delivery, you will be up-to-date with policy and practice development.

You will need to hold a current full driving licence and have access to a vehicle.

Social Worker Statements

‘’ Working within the North and Mid Adult Mental Health Team has been a truly refreshing and rewarding experience. It has broadened my knowledge, strengthened my skills, and provided me with the opportunity to work alongside a highly supportive and compassionate team. No two days are the same. The role brings a variety of complex cases, but also the immense satisfaction of making a meaningful difference in the lives of the people we support. Being part of such a dedicated group of social workers is, without question, one of the most fulfilling aspects of the role.

Having previously worked in children’s social services, I have found my transferable skills to be incredibly valuable within mental health practice. The transition has been professionally enriching. I feel genuinely grateful to be part of a team that is skilled, welcoming, and deeply committed to delivering high-quality care. It is an excellent place to grow professionally while contributing to positive outcomes for service users’’

Rodney Rikhotso, Assigned Experienced Mental Health Social Worker

Being in the Mid and North Devon assigned mental health social work team has given me an excellent opportunity to work at the interface of social care and mental health. There is great interagency working and a passion to support people experiencing significant difficulties. The team has a very positive and supportive culture. The work is challenging and rewarding and one of your colleagues will always be there for you

Jo Donaghy Social Worker

What we can offer you

• We are committed to your continuous professional development, doing all we can to help you to get the most from your career. You will receive excellent support and supervision, with regular opportunities to discuss and reflect on your practice, both with your line manager and peers.
• We offer 26 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, rising incrementally to 31 days after 5 years’ service.
• Flexible working opportunities are available, these include part-time hours, flexitime, compressed working hours and homeworking (this is subject to the needs of the role – please discuss at further at interview)
• Offer an opportunity to enter a generous Local Government Pension Scheme. 
• As a place to live and work, Devon is hard to beat with top-performing schools, universities, vibrant cities, pretty villages and some of the most scenic coast and countryside in the UK. Living and working in Devon as a Mental Health Social Worker has never been more attractive.  
• Please note: At this time, we are unable to consider overseas applications.

Does the job role include personal care?: No

Working Patterns:

TBC

Essential details:

Social Worker Career Pathway 

We have implemented the first phase of a new Social Worker Career Pathway within our Adults Services, with our vacancies available at the Social Worker (Grade F) or Experienced Social Worker (Grade G) levels. Our Social Worker and Experienced Social Worker roles align with the national Professional Capability Framework (PCF) for Social Workers, which provides a robust structure for all local authorities to use as a way of standardising professional capabilities and provides a clear career pathway.

This is a fantastic opportunity to provide you with an achievable, clear pathway for your career; to enable you as a practitioner to reflect and identify your own practice and development on the PCF pathway.

If successful in being shortlisted for interview, your experience, skills and knowledge, will be assessed against the PCF domains and if found appointable, this will determine your appointment to either the Social Worker (Grade F) or Experienced Social Worker level (Grade G).

With on-going learning and support from your line manager, those appointed as a Social Worker will be able to evidence incremental learning and submit an application in due course for progression to the Experienced Social Worker (Grade G) via a portfolio of supporting evidence against the PCF framework.

For an informal conversation and more information contact Carole Bewes, Team Manager: carole.bewes@devon.gov.uk

We would also consider offering these posts as a Secondment opportunity for Devon County Council employees.  Please ensure you obtain agreement from your line manager prior to making an application, as this is essential for your application to be considered.

Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.

Please click here to view the Grade F Social Worker Job Description.

Please click here to view the Grade G Experienced Social Worker Job Description.

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
• For details on the use of AI in applications and Devon County Council’s use of AI in Recruitment please see Use of AI in Our Recruitment Processes - Working for Devon | Devon County Council
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working -The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
• This role requires a DBS disclosure.
• This role requires Social Work England Registration (SWE)