Advanced Practitioner – Hospital Discharge Team (Adults)

Buckinghamshire Council; Amersham, Chesham Bois; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000

Job description

Location: Amersham

Overview

We have a fantastic opportunity for a dynamic Advanced Practitioner who is passionate about enabling clients to fulfil their potential to join our Hospital Discharge South and Central Team based at Amersham Hospital.

If you have experience in enabling clients to achieve or maintain independence, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and enjoy working alongside individuals, supporting them to achieve their goals of living independently, then we want to hear from you!

In addition to the salary advertised, you will receive a market premium of £2,525 per annum, and you will also receive a ‘Golden Hello’ lump-sum payment of £2500 paid on successful completion of your probationary period.

About us

Our vision is simple. To make a real difference to the people and communities we serve. Now, and for the future. This means safeguarding the vulnerable, creating opportunities, building self-reliance, and keeping Buckinghamshire thriving and attractive. All whilst ensuring that we’re delivering value for money.

Our local communities are at the heart of everything we do, and they really rely on the work we do. Whether it's new roads being built, helping parents get their children a school place or providing essential support to vulnerable children or elderly residents, what we do touches the lives of everyone in Buckinghamshire.

To ensure the highest standards of service are provided to the residents of Buckinghamshire, Advanced Practitioners will:

1. Work in accordance with the Better Lives framework
2. Promote and deliver goal-based support to help people achieve greater independence
3. Promote equality as an integral part of a role and treat everyone with fairness and dignity
4. Provide a proactive personalised approach to the delivery of care and practice
5. Respond to people’s needs in a timely manner
6. Focus on improving people’s well-being
7. Give people greater choice and control over the care that they receive
8. Take account of people’s risks and safety at all times, identifying mitigations to reduce that risk
9. Support people to achieve the outcomes that are most important to them using all available resources and taking responsibility for the public purse
10. Provide personalised information and advice, safeguarding, assessment, support planning and review to individuals/families and their carers
11. Our hospital social work team complete assessments in a number of hospitals where Buckinghamshire residents are patients, as well as assessing people in their own homes with short term support and in short term placements following hospital discharge.
12. Supervise and support colleagues within the team

The hospital discharge teams operate a 7-day service. At present, this equates to working approximately one weekend day a month. For this you will receive an enhancement and time off in lieu.

About you

To apply you must be a qualified Social Worker (holding a social work degree or equivalent) and be registered with Social Work England.

Naturally, you will be a great people person, familiar with working to a strength-based approach where you think outside of the box and enable people to prevent, reduce or delay the need for care. Bringing your in-depth knowledge of the latest legislation and statutory guidance, you’ll work independently and with colleagues to support adults and their families. Persistence and an adaptable approach are needed in an outcome-focused way with our partners such as health services, community sector, housing, care providers and other stakeholders.

Please see the job summary for more information.

You will be required to apply for a DBS at an enhanced level. Further information about the DBS Scheme can be found at GOV.UK

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

1. All unspent cautions and convictions cautions
2. All adult cautions and spent convictions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020).

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

Our values

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

1. a fair and inclusive culture
2. the chance to really make a difference to those around you
3. health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
4. a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
5. ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
6. opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Service Area

We are looking for dynamic Social Workers who are passionate about enabling clients to fulfil their potential, whilst promoting self-determination, and who are passionate, supportive, motivated, and confident when supporting and communicating with people - either on the telephone or face to face.

Your work will include carrying out needs assessments, creating person-centred and strengths-based care plans, ensuring delivery of services, and reviewing outcomes with the individual, their personal networks, and support providers.

You will work in partnership with other professionals and organisations to support our residents effectively and holistically. Our Social Workers will endorse and act by the principles of personalisation, ensuring that care and support plans are person-centred, and as far as is safely possible, you will put the people with whom you work in control of their lives.

We recognise and reward you

In these challenging times, we must remain connected as a team. From day one, you’ll be offered a ‘buddy’ who will be a friendly face to support you through your induction and new working world. The wellbeing of our colleagues is very important to us and we encourage you to take control of your work-life balance and adopt a flexible approach where possible.

We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements.

Benefits of working for Buckinghamshire:

1. Competitive salary inclusive of Market Factor
2. ‘Golden Hello’ lump-sum payment of £2500 paid on successful completion of your probationary period
3. Up to 25 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) rising to 30 days (plus bank holidays) after more than 5 years’ service
4. Relocation allowance up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
5. Development opportunities in key areas of specific lead roles, giving you the opportunity to learn new skills and to develop your practice
6. Travel discounts with Arriva
7. Access to our corporate health and wellbeing services offering free confidential advice on a wide range of issues