• Location: Countywide
• Brand new role in Somerset - opportunity for an experienced practitioner looking to support & develop staff to unlock their full potential
• 30 days annual leave entitlement

The Health Interface Service (HIS) works to both prevent admissions into the acute hospitals, finding quick solutions to support people to remain at home as well as supporting people upon their discharge from an acute hospital. We have developed an innovative front door admission avoidance service that supports people return home that do not require an acute admission. Join us and you will be working in one of the most exciting areas of an acute hospital, where decision making, and action is fast paced but robust and person centered.

We are lookin for people willing to work across our countywide service - we have staff working in the acute hospitals that cover Somerset, predominantly Yeovil District Hospital and Musgrove Hospital in Taunton, but we also provide cover to Weston General and Royal United in Bath.  You would need to be prepared to travel to each area at times.

The Advanced Practitioner - Practitioner Development is a brand-new role, you will have the opportunity to join a network of Practice Development Advanced Practitioners within Somerset. These posts are based in operational teams which will keep you close to practice.

Your day-to-day work will involve:

• Providing high quality practice education for students and NQSWs.
• Supervising up to 3 registered social workers.
• Embedding practice improvement activities and learning from reviews into teams.
• Promoting a strong social work framework that incorporates relationship-based practice, research, co-production and legal literacy.
• Facilitating CPD sessions.

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But to be successful in the role you will:

• Need to be a qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England, with experience of working in Adult Social Care. It is essential that you either hold PEPS 1 and 2 or are willing to work towards these qualifications on appointment.
• Need to be a driver and have access to a vehicle as some parts of rural Somerset are not on direct transport links.
• Have commitment to high standards of professional social work practice.
• Have the knowledge and skills to link theory, social work models, research and legal frameworks to practice.
• Have the ability to hold reflective spaces, challenge constructively and influence others.
• Be committed to ensuring that the voices of people with lived experience are heard throughout your work.

In turn, you will receive regular supervision and be part of a developing network of Practice Development Leads in Somerset. You will develop and maintain strong links and working relationships with Learning and Development and the Principal Social Worker alongside having access to bespoke training to enable you to be successful in these roles.

At Somerset Council, we work hard to attract the best staff and we want to make sure that once you are on board, you are well supported and rewarded for the work you do.

• This grade offers 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and the option to request to buy up to 2 weeks additional annual leave pro rata
• Hybrid working options where the role allows
• A clear career pathway with apprenticeships, professional, leadership and academic programmes and qualifications, regular CPD opportunities and a corporate coaching and mentoring scheme
• A new comprehensive induction programme supported by Practice Development Advanced Practitioners, plus a confidential and impartial welcome call to ensure your induction goes smoothly.
• Ongoing support & development opportunities – regular CPD events arranged and delivered by our dedicated Adult Social Care Learning and Development team, including an annual Carnival of Practice event with key speakers such as the Chief Social Worker, a team of Advanced Practitioner – Practice Development roles to support our workforce, personalised personal development plans, a corporate coaching and mentoring scheme.
• Local Government pension scheme
• Employee support networks that acknowledge and celebrate the richness of diversity and equality within our workforce.
• Guaranteed Interview Schemes – Disability Confident, Veterans, Care Leavers
• Employee assistance and support offering a variety of wellbeing services and events to support a healthy work/life balance inc. a free online gym offer, dedicated Mental Wellbeing Ambassadors and much more!
• Relocation of up to £8,000, subject to meeting eligibility requirements.
• Access to the Blue Light Card which offers thousands of discounts online and on the high street
• My Staff Shop which offers a variety of discounts including; cinemas, shopping, restaurants, gym discounts and more!
• Discounted lease car options via salary sacrifice, along with discounts on fuel
• Cycle to work scheme

This is a Grade 9 post with a current salary of £40,476 - £44,711 per annum per annum. Appointments are normally made at the bottom of the salary scale.

We are a socially active council and run many webinars and events, team away days, volunteering opportunities plus, hold regular staff Q&A sessions. We encourage professional development and training to support your learning and aspirations. And there are also a variety of networking groups and activities that you can join.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve so we will always welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our teams. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Maxine Walton, Service Manager of the Health Interface Service at Maxine.Walton@Somerset.gov.uk or Carolyn Smith, Principal Social Worker/Strategic Lead for Safeguarding and DOLs on 01823 355950 or email carolyn.smith@somerset.gov.uk

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early if we have received a sufficient number of applications, so don't delay, apply today!

Investment

We have recently invested £1.4m into our workforce. As a result, we have substantially increased the number of social work, occupational therapy, advanced practitioner and other leadership posts. We’ve also increased; Adult Social Care Practitioner roles, introduced Occupational Therapy Assistants and strengthened our Business Support. This investment is enabling us to re-focus on providing excellent social work and occupational therapy practice and doing the right thing, with and for, the people we serve.

Smaller specialist teams

We have created smaller neighbourhood teams who will know and be part of their local communities, alongside new specialist teams including Mental Health Social Care, Learning Disabilities and Adult Safeguarding.

Additional posts

We have created additional Advanced Practitioner Posts to provide compassionate and visionary leadership, and developed effective, supportive teams with a strong sense of identity and belonging.

There are also new Practice Development Advanced Practitioner Posts within teams/services focusing on practice, social work values, human rights, social justice, anti-oppressive and anti-racist practice, and providing practice education, quality assurance and CPD.

Competency framework linked to Career pathways

We have launched a Competency Framework linked to a career pathway, and professional, leadership and academic programmes and qualifications.

We are prioritising the prevention agenda including our Occupational Therapy Service developing Somerset Independent Living Centres across Somerset.

Ambitious

We are ambitious and are working to make real change happen. We want relationship-based practice, compassionate leadership and co-production with the people we work with and serve, to be at the heart of all we do.

We are reclaiming narratives about social work and believe in the power of lived experiences of people (including workers), and sharing stories. To get a sense of this, listen to Social Work Sessions podcast: Social Work Sessions

You will be working alongside nationally recognised professionals with staff shortlisted for “Social Worker of the Year” awards 2022 and 2023.

We have a supportive and friendly culture… Don’t believe us? Checkout our Glassdoor rating.

Not currently living in Somerset? Don’t worry! Subject to meeting qualifying conditions, we offer relocation of up to £8,000.

Somerset has plenty to offer! Situated in a beautiful, rural county in a central southwest location but with good city links. With scenic countryside, historic sites, charming towns and villages, family-friendly attractions, beaches, festivals (Glastonbury!) and events, outdoor activities, zoos, water parks and plenty of local produce to try, there’s something for everyone!

In this role you will require a criminal background check via Disclosure and Barring Service.