Changing Futures Social Worker

Job introduction

About the role

Changing Futures Sussex Programme is one of 15 national Programmes bringing together public and community sector partners to improve the way local systems and services work for adults experiencing multiple complex needs (MCN).

The Programme aims to create an environment where individuals experiencing multiple complex needs, who repeatedly fall through the net of service provision, receive flexible, trauma informed, person-centred support. The Programme aims to enable positive changes in services; to make them better connected, and easier to access. Changing Futures Sussex works in partnership and is embedded across the three Local Authority areas: East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton and Hove.

Social Workers within Changing Futures will be part of a multi-disciplinary team who will adopt a curious, creative and collaborate approach to service provision. They will be responsible for discharging the local authority’s statutory duties under the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005. We are looking for innovative thinkers and those that truly believe and practice a trauma informed approach. The team includes Social Workers, Homeless Prevention Officers, Community support workers, a Domestic Violence and Abuse Worker, a Recovery Coordinator, Mental Health Nurse as well as Peer Support workers with lived experience.   The team is part of the wider Changing Futures Sussex Systems Change priorities to identify blocks and barriers in the system, recognising best practice and flexible working to overcome the challenges facing people with multiple complex needs.

Multiple disadvantage or multiple complex needs is defined by the national Changing Futures Programme as people who experience three or more of: homelessness, current or historical offending, substance misuse, domestic abuse, and mental ill health.

The role covers service delivery across Brighton & Hove.  Hybrid working arrangements are applicable to the role, this includes elements of office-based working, client visits and working from home.

Fixed term for: Fixed-Term contract 37 Hours until October 2024

Closing date: Midnight Sunday 24th September 2023

Interview date: Friday 6th October 2023   Interviews will be held in person at Bartholomew House, Bartholomew Square, Brighton

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Hannah Matthew  - (Senior Social Worker) hannah.matthew@brighton-hove.gov.uk  07557197590

For more information about Changing Futures  please visit http://www.changingfuturessussex.orgor for an informal conversation about Changing Futures contact Martin Powell – martin.powell@brighton-hove.gov.uk 07732 824770.

Experience we are looking for:

A registered social worker, with experience working directly with vulnerable adults and their families, completing assessments, using legal frameworks, and creating care plans. A good knowledge of psychological development, systemic approaches, and interventions.

You should have had experience of:

• Working with diverse and complex situations and in multi-disciplinary contexts

• Completing assessments and safeguarding enquiries using the Care Act

• Working with people protected by DoLS and/or the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act.

 You must also be able to:

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

• Prioritise work in accordance with demand and risk

• Promote and sustain professional relationships with a wide range of people including those with care needs, their family/carers, other professionals and relevant agencies

In return we will offer you regular 1-2-1 supervision meetings, bi-annual appraisals, a career average pension scheme, generous leave entitlement, flexible working opportunities plus a range of other staff benefits.

*Please note: Warranted Approved Mental Health Act Professionals (AMHPs) will be encouraged to take part in rota arrangements for the AMHP provision across the city. The AMHP service operates from the AMHP team’s base at Millview Hospital in Hove. A market supplement of £1,503 p.a. is paid for 30 days a year on this rota, subject to satisfactory adherence to the 2008 Regulations for AMHPs.

Please read our Apply for a job at the council (brighton-hove.gov.uk) pages carefully. They give you all the guidance you need to complete your application as well as information on what will happen after you’ve submitted your application and at interview.

As part of your application, you will need to complete your education and work history and provide answers to some shortlisting questions. Your answers to the shortlisting questions are the most important part of your application as they will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our guidance here (Shortlisting questions guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process.

Additional information

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only.

Work Permits: This role does not meet the requirement for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Points-based Immigration System. Successful candidates will need to evidence that they have the Right to Work in the UK.

Part office / part home – hybrid -  We are a workplace that supports flexibility and employee wellbeing in the way we work whilst providing the best service for our customers. Team and service working arrangements are designed to support both employee work life balance and team collaboration. These would be part of your individual working arrangements alongside any personal preference agreed with your manager in advance of joining.

*For more information about our values and the benefits of working at the council, visit Why work for us (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

Company information

Please note that this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check.

Encouraging a diverse workforce

Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, male or trans.

Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our fair and inclusive actions, our anti-racism strategy and the work we are doing to encourage a diverse workforce (brighton-hove.gov.uk).