Community Care Officer Level 1 - Mental Health

This is an exciting opportunity to join us at a time of real change and growth.

We are delighted to be recruiting eight full-time Community Care Officers (CCOs) in our West Mental Health teams.

You’ll be joining at a pivotal moment—helping to shape and influence how we deliver high-quality, strengths-based mental health support across the county.

As a Community Care Officer (CCO), you will play a vital role in supporting adults with care and support needs to live as independently as possible. You’ll contribute directly to our statutory responsibilities under the Care Act 2014, using person-centred, strengths-based approaches to help people achieve meaningful outcomes and improve their wellbeing.

If you’re looking to be part of a service that is evolving, ambitious, and committed to making a real difference, this is the perfect time to join us.

Please stipulate on your application which area team you are applying for.

About the role:

As a Community Care Officer within our newly established Mental Health Social Work Team, you will play a vital role in supporting adults with care and support needs to live fulfilling, independent lives within their communities. This is an opportunity to be part of a developing service, shaping how we respond to mental health needs through a person-centred, strengths-based approach.

You will manage a varied caseload of both non-complex and complex cases, working alongside individuals who may be experiencing a range of mental health challenges. Through building trusted relationships, you will support people to identify what matters most to them and work towards outcomes that promote recovery, independence, and wellbeing.

Using your knowledge of the Care Act, you will complete Adult Needs Assessments and Reviews, ensuring that support is responsive, proportionate, and focused on enabling people to build on their strengths. You will work collaboratively with individuals, families, carers, and partner agencies to coordinate effective, holistic support.
A key part of this role is empowering people to move forward in their lives—whether that’s reconnecting with their community, accessing employment or meaningful activity, maintaining stable accommodation, or developing the confidence and skills to manage their own wellbeing. You will take a proactive approach to identifying and reducing barriers, enabling individuals to achieve their personal goals and maximise their independence.

Working in a dynamic environment, you will be expected to travel efficiently to meet service needs, including undertaking planned and unplanned visits, sometimes at short notice. The role is delivered through a hybrid model, combining home working with office-based collaboration, with attendance in the office required to support team working and service delivery when needed.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing a diverse caseload of non-complex and complex mental health cases

• Completing strengths-based Adult Needs Assessments and Reviews in line with the Care Act

• Building effective, therapeutic relationships with individuals, families, and carers

• Supporting people to define and work towards meaningful, recovery-focused outcomes

• Promoting independence, resilience, and community inclusion

• Identifying and addressing barriers that impact on wellbeing and progression

• Working in partnership with health, housing, and voluntary sector colleagues

• Responding flexibly to service demands, including unplanned visits

Additional information:

• Core office hours: 08:45–17:15 (Monday–Thursday), 08:45–16:45 (Friday)

• Hybrid working: a combination of home and office-based working, with office attendance as required

• Travel is essential; mileage is reimbursed for journeys from the office to appointments

About you:

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives? Do you want to use your skills in a creative, strengths-based way to support people to achieve what matters most to them?
We’re looking for motivated, compassionate individuals who are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred support. You’ll bring experience in strengths-based assessment, care planning, and risk management, with a clear focus on enabling positive, outcome-driven change.

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• Are proactive, enthusiastic, and driven to achieve the best outcomes for the people you support

• Put dignity, choice, and respect at the heart of everything you do

• Are a confident communicator, able to listen deeply and use professional curiosity to understand people’s needs

• Think creatively and embrace innovation to overcome challenges and unlock opportunities

• Stay calm and resilient in complex or pressured situations

• Value teamwork and contribute to a supportive, inclusive team culture

Above all, you share our commitment to Making a Difference—helping people build on their strengths, gain independence, and live the lives they want.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

About the team:

We are the Mental Health Social Work Team, at Lincolnshire County Council. We are at an exciting time for you to join us as we shape and strengthen our future service.

Our team is made up of Social Workers and Social Work Assistants working across three localities in Lincolnshire. Together, we bring a range of experience, skills, and perspectives, creating a supportive and collaborative environment where everyone’s contribution is valued.

We are passionate about working proactively and embrace a strengths-based approach in everything we do—supporting people to build on their abilities and live as independently as possible. We place the individual at the centre of every conversation, ensuring their voice is heard, their choices are respected, and their goals are at the heart of the support we provide.

As a team, we pride ourselves on being inclusive, welcoming, and forward-thinking. We recognise the value that new colleagues bring and actively encourage fresh ideas, innovation, and shared learning.

About the offer:

We celebrate our Team's achievements and share our experiences. It is important that Practitioners feel appreciated and supported – our staff are our most valued asset. We provide 1-1 meetings and monthly team meetings.Along with a competitive salary we offer;

• A generous pension scheme - (contribution rate of approx. 24%)

• Reimbursement for professional registration fees

• Career progression opportunities including the opportunity to progress to a Qualified Social Worker

.• A generous annual leave entitlement

• “Green book” Local Government terms and conditions

• Comprehensive benefits package including salary sacrifice for cars, cycles, plus excellent discount schemes

• 37 hour working week (as full time) including flexible and hybrid working

• A generous leave entitlement with a minimum of 25 days plus bank holidays and the option to buy more

• Free financial wellbeing advice

If you would like an open and informal discussion regards this role then please contact; liz swan via email liz.swan@lincolnshire.gov.uk

PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that your personal statement clearly states why you have applied, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description (attached on LCC jobs Site) and what you feel you can bring to this role, the team and the wider County Council.

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. Please also note: once an application is submitted it is final and cannot be amended. If you withdraw your application, it cannot be reinstated and you will not be able to submit another application for that vacancy. If you have an issue with your submitted application, please contact recruitment@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.