Social Work Assistant

Durham County Council (DCC) and Tees Esk and Wear Valley Foundation Trust (TEWV) have an exciting opportunity for a social work assistant role in the Initial Social Work Assessment Team within an Integrated Mental Health Service, providing assessment, and short-term intervention to service users/carers. Durham County Council and Tees Esk and Wear Valley Foundation Trust are integrated as part of a partnership agreement. The teams comprise of staff from the Adult Care service from Durham County Council and Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. The Initial Social Work Assessment team performs an important function to determine whether long-term support is required from the Service. It is fast paced work with a focus on trauma informed care and support, opportunity to work creatively and in an assertive outreach approach. WHAT IS INVOLVED? You will provide assessment, care planning, and interventions for service users and carers referred into the service. You will also support the social workers complete safeguarding for service users with mental health problems and who are not already open to the longer-term teams. Reviewing of already planned care alongside providers, in house agencies and the voluntary sector will form part of the role. Due to the nature of the work an assertive outreach approach is required to actively engage with service users. You will have knowledge of commissioning, social inclusion, legal frameworks and an awareness and understanding of the emerging influences in both health and social care provision. You will also need a good understanding of community resources and be able to signpost to appropriate services.

You should have experience of working with people either in a customer focussed environment or in a caring role (work can be in a voluntary or paid capacity).,

• 5 GCSEs including English Language (9-4/A-C grades) or equivalent relevant qualification
Access to a car or access to a means of mobility support (if driving must have current valid driving licence and appropriate insurance). Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria. If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years' continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website.