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Senior Practitioner - Emergency Duty Service

Employer
Essex County Council
Location
England, Essex
Salary
Negotiable
Closing date
9 Dec 2019

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Job role
Social Worker
Contract Type
Full time

Please note this role requires to work on a shift pattern on a rolling rota which includes evenings, nights, weekends, bank holidays including Christmas and New Year and all public holidays

 

 

Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK, serving a population of 2 million residents, and has a very successful track record of delivering transformational change. ECC anticipated change was needed in the public sector and has worked to deliver better quality at lower cost. We have an ambitious transformation agenda - one with the scope to reach every part of the council. We are changing the way we think, the way we work, and the ways in which we deliver our services. We are committed to becoming a place where individuals, partners and communities feel proud to play their role and genuinely want to belong. We're immensely proud of our flexible working options.

The Team

The Emergency Duty Service (EDS) responds to statutory emergencies outside of office hours and also deals with any social care situations raised about children and vulnerable adults which cannot be safely left until the following working day. In essence our task is to assess people's needs for social intervention through a process of screening, assessment and response. Where necessary the EDS will take action under the supervision of the Duty Manager to keep service users safe, as well as satisfying the statutory requirements in the relevant legislation.

Please note that applicants must be approved under the MHA 1983 (as amended) and also have relevant experience of working within Children and Families to apply for this post.

Key Accountabilities

  • Receiving and evaluating referrals and ensuring an appropriate professional response consistent with the EDS model.
  • Undertaking assessments under the Mental Health Act.
  • Undertaking risk assessments for children and young people, with particular reference to Section 47 of the Children Act.
  • Giving advice and support to all service users as appropriate.
  • Attending team and other directorate meetings arranged and where essential, attending court proceedings, case conference and Mental Health Tribunals.
  • Using information systems to carry out duties as required.
  • Undertaking a workload consisting of the most complex and difficult emergency referrals involving work with the most vulnerable client groups.
  • Bringing to bear the highest possible standard of practice ability and skills to work independently within the confines of directorate policy and procedure.
  • Acting as a source of consultation for staff within their service on professional and social work matters, within particular concern for the development of practice and professional development of other staff as determined by the Team Manager.
  • Maintaining up to date knowledge of directorate policies and procedures and of legislation or regulations set down by central government in respect of all client groups.
  • Required to work a shift pattern on a rolling rota which includes evenings, nights, weekends, bank holidays including Christmas and new year and all public holidays.
  • Be available during day time hours when required to do so.

Skills and Knowledge

  • Social Work degree or equivalent.
  • Applicants must be qualified as an Approved Mental Health Professional under the 1983 Mental Health Act (as amended).
  • Applicants should have a minimum of 2 years' experience as an AMHP or within children's front line social care. '
  • To have experience of direct work with children and families and preferably to have experience of child protection investigation work.
  • Experience and knowledge of work with vulnerable adults.
  • Experience of working in a Duty Team.
  • An ability to work under pressure and to organise practice workload effectively.
  • An ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally in a style appropriate to the context.
  • An ability to empower children and their carers to enable their full participation in work undertaken.
  • Knowledge of current Community Care practice and multi-agency systems of Assessment and Care Management for Older People and vulnerable adults.
  • Knowledge and understanding of relevant policy and recent research findings across all client specialisms.
  • A commitment to anti-oppressive behaviour, practice and management.
  • The willingness and ability to work in an open manner as part of a team, with a commitment to sharing and working alongside staff in your own and other organisations whilst at the same time recognising own management responsibilities.
  • An ability to approach your work and duties in a culture of flexibility.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.

If you have any queries regarding this role, or require anything further, please contact the Resourcing Team on 03330135888.

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