Senior Practitioner Social Worker – Mental Health and Substance Misuse North

Would you welcome the opportunity to work in a service that is adapting to the demands of our county and is open to fresh ideas and new ways of working? Apply now!

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, forward-thinking Senior Practitioner Social Worker to join our Mental Health and Substance Misuse North team, based in the Lewes, Havens and High Weald area of East Sussex.

You will work alongside other Senior Practitioners who care about individual outcomes for service users and focus on the strengths and resilience of every person. You will be ensuring people are safe from abuse and neglect and making arrangements for support to be in place to ensure their social care needs are met. You will be providing supervision and support to social workers in the team. You will have the opportunity to work closely in partnership with Sussex Partnership Trust, and other key agencies to promote the wellbeing of our service users.

If you are a qualified Best Interest Assessor (BIA) and or a warranted Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) we would love to hear from you, if not but you have some experience working in mental health and would be willing to train, we would also encourage you to apply.

We are looking for candidates with

• social worker registration with Social Work England, please include your registration number on your application
• a completed assessed & supported year in employment (ASYE)
• supervision skills
• ability to anticipate, assess, manage, and address risks
• knowledge of appropriate legal and policy frameworks
• experience of completing complex assessments
• experience in undertaking safeguarding enquiries, and the Lead Enquiry Officer role
• experience working with people who face challenges in relation to mental health and addiction

We ensure our staff have the tools and support they need, these include:

• flexible working practices supported by the latest technology
• access to expert advice and support from qualified social work managers - including reflective supervision and a complex risk forum
• evidence-based team learning, group reflective practice, online research tools
• specialist training in the Mental Capacity Act, the Mental Health Act, and the Practice educator role

To apply for this role please follow the 'Apply Now' button above and upload your CV with a supporting statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.

Please download the job description and person specification for more information.

For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page and our statement on the use of AI.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Interviews will likely take place in Microsoft Teams unless you request an in-person interview. If you are unavailable to attend the allocated interview date/time, let us know and we may be able to schedule an alternative date/time for you.

Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details.

For an informal discussion, please contact Kate Owen (Practice Manager) on 07876 037399 or [email protected]

There are many rewards working for East Sussex County Council, some of these include:

• Hybrid working
• Access to training
• Lease car scheme (subject to qualifying criteria)
• Access to our extensive wellbeing and wellness training
• Annual registration fee with Social Work England will be reimbursed

For more information about our diverse range of benefits please click on the link provided benefits page

For work that makes a difference, choose East Sussex!

Additional Information

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record. Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.

If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.