Social Worker/ Senior Social Worker Adults Safeguarding Hub

About Us

The Safeguarding Adults hub is a fast-paced dynamic team who work across different agencies including the police, the fire service, domestic abuse services and health to assess risk, whilst working primarily under the scope of the Care Act 2014 to determine whether further enquiries should be made under section 42 of the Act.

The Safeguarding Adults Hub is an established team who have a vast combined amount of experience, and have developed a successful approach to Safeguarding Adults in West Sussex. We're a supportive team who ensure that our practice is developed and maintained by use of team reflection and continuous learning and development.

Hear from the team:

"The Adult Safeguarding Hub provides a team of highly supportive colleagues who genuinely care for and encourage each other on a daily basis. The team offers a range of training opportunities, with personal and career development promoted within the team. The role is dynamic and fast paced which provides a range of interesting experiences each day, and ongoing learning opportunities for practice."

About The Job

Salary: £39,862 to £47,181 per annum (grade 10 or 11 dependant on experience)
Working Pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Horsham office base

The Safeguarding Adults Hub providers the single point of access for all Safeguarding Adults. The referrals and queries that the Safeguarding Hub responds to cover the full spectrum of life across West Sussex. We are looking for a Social Worker or Senior Social Worker who can bring new skills, knowledge and background to an already diverse team. Could this be you?

You will work as part of a strong and dynamic social work service. In this role you will work with colleagues from all our statutory partners, providers and members of the public when reviewing and making vital decisions in relation to Safeguarding Adults.

An ability to rapidly risk assess situations and engage with people who may be in crisis is key to the role. You will utilise these skills to develop and implement effective plans of support, aimed at improving wellbeing and delivering better outcomes for people as well as contributing to and developing skills in safeguarding. The hub will triage all safeguarding referrals submitted to the Local Authority, initiate all safeguarding enquiries and develop initial safeguarding plans.

As an experienced Social Worker, you will be responsible for ensuring that you are up to date with key developments and that business change is successfully implemented. You will need to remain up to date and compliant with all relevant legislation and adhere to organisational procedures, policies, codes of conduct and the values of West Sussex.

The successful application will demonstrate how they work collaboratively with individuals and effectively into the future, building on good partnership working with colleagues. You will need to work inclusively with a diverse range of stakeholders and promote equality of opportunity. You'll need to be able to manage conflicting and competing priorities while remaining resilient.

You will need to remain up to date and compliant with all relevant legislation and adhere to organisational procedures, policies, codes of conduct and the values of West Sussex.

Experience and Skills

Please evidence in your application how you meet the following key skills, qualifications and experience points.

Key Skills:
1. Experience of working proactively as a member of the team to make an accurate strengths-based assessment of needs and negotiate and implement effective plans and outcomes (in line with relevant legislation), working in partnership with carers, colleagues and a variety of external agencies to meet people's outcomes.
2. Experience of applying a risk enablement approach and using evidence-based practice.
3. Experience of analysis and interpretation of people related information and data to prioritise needs and formulate plans for intervention and service provision.
4. Experience of contributing to or undertaking safeguarding enquiries.
5. Ability to provide informal supervision and develop the capabilities of less experienced social care practitioners, and to mentor and coach students and apprentices.
6. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a range of stakeholders to provide clear advice and guidance and interventions.
7. Ability to recognise the limits of own accountability and responsibility, know when to seek appropriate support, advice and supervision, and to prioritise and organise work and meet agreed performance expectations.
8. Sound and accurate IT skills to ensure effective record keeping, compliant with data protection and respecting confidentiality.

Qualifications and/or experience:
A Degree in Social Work or a recognised equivalent Social Work qualification, e.g. Diploma in Social Work.
Registered with Social Work England.
Experience of undertaking assessments and social work intervention planning, implementation and review by means of creative and pragmatic solutions. Experience of working in partnership with those who access the service and maintaining a focus on the needs and strengths of the people, and the outcomes they want to achieve, whilst handling conflict and disagreement.
Experience of managing risk within a risk enablement approach * Good, up-to-date working knowledge of relevant legislation, e.g. Care Act (2014), Mental Capacity Act (2005) etc.
Valid, full driving licence. Desirable

Further Information

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.

Further Information

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to Social Work England registration, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.

West Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting an environment that is inclusive and free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of its people. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and take every possible step to ensure that no individual will be disadvantaged.

For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veteran's Guaranteed Interview Scheme (if you meet all the essential criteria), this can be found on our application help page.