Social Work Assessment and Support Coordinator

Job Description

Social Work Assessment & Support Coordinator (16/1446)

Dumfries

£35,535 - £38,031

This is an exciting opportunity to join the region’s ASP MASH Team as a Social Work Assessment & Support Coordinator. The purpose of this role is to contribute to the development and delivery of the integrated Health and Social Care services across Dumfries and Galloway. We require a Social Work Assessment and Support Coordinator who has the energy and enthusiasm necessary to make a significant contribution to the work of the team and help improve outcomes for the Adults we work with.

This is a great opportunity to be part of a cohesive, supportive team which is focussed on and committed to the health and well-being of staff.  We are a small team who have strong Social Work principles and values, and are motivated, committed and passionate about the Support and Protection of Adults. 

The main primary actions of this role will include an initial triaging and evaluation of the presenting need, offering essential support, guidance or sign posting to service users and their families/carers. While, ensuring appropriate internal progress of information sharing to the appropriate teams where necessary for ongoing follow up. Work is fast paced and requires tight timescales to be met.  Organisational skills, time management and decision making within policy and frameworks are therefore essential. 

The Social Work Assessment & Support Coordinator will liaise with wider social work teams and make appropriate referrals where there are concerns about complex needs cases, including Adult Support and Protection, Child Protection, Adults with Incapacity and Mental Health concerns.

Requirements

The holder therefore, must have experience of dealing with members of the public, will appreciate the confidential nature of this post and be sensitive to the needs of others. You should also have an understanding of the legislation, core values of social work and themes specific to social work, while maintaining the integrity and continuous improvement of our service including flexible working patterns.

Highly developed communication skills, both spoken and written, are crucial in this role and you’ll also need good listening and questioning skills along with the ability to explain information clearly. The work of the team is underpinned by electronic record-keeping requiring accuracy and attention to detail when updating and creating personal data, recording referrals and passing information to partners.

The successful candidate will be a flexible team player.  You need to demonstrate a positive attitude, a calm approach and real drive and determination to offer the very best in quality service. 

Care Inspectorate, HMICS and Health Care Improvement Scotland Evaluation

In June 2025, we took part in a supported self-evaluation of our ASP/MASH Team Services conducted in collaboration with the Care Inspectorate, HMICS and Healthcare Improvement Scotland. The self-evaluation highlighted several key strengths particularly in our approach to engaging with adults who may be at risk of harm. The joint self-evaluation team (which included staff from across the partnership) noted that adults were treated with dignity and respect, their voices were heard and they remained at centre of all our interventions.  Our organisational culture was recognised as a significant strength, with staff reporting feeling well supported and safe in their practice, underpinned by strong management oversight. The joint self-evaluation also praised our commitment to multi agency collaboration and our timely response to any risk presented to adults. We are delighted to report that the final result of the self-evaluation was three excellent, five very good and two good ratings overall. 

What we can offer you:

You will be a member of the Adult Support and Protection/Adult Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) which covers the whole of Dumfries and Galloway.  This is a busy but supportive multi-agency team, and you will work closely with our colleagues from Police and Health.  The Team comprises of 12 Social Workers, 6 Social Work Assessment & Support Coordinators, 5 Senior Social Workers, a Team Manager and a Social Work Manager.

The Adult Support and Protection Team offers an interesting variety of casework as the team works with Adults affected by a variety of issues, including Abuse, Incapacity, Mental Health, Substance Use, Self Neglect, Domestic Abuse, and Exploitation.

We are a Team that is committed to the inclusion of our workforce to help improve Standards and Service Delivery, where Adults at Risk are at the centre of what we do. To support this, we utilise a trauma informed approach to our engagement with adults, whilst adhering to Human Rights based Legislation.  We have a strong focus on relationship and strengths-based practices.

Responsibilities

We offer the use of an Artificial Intelligence powered tool which with the consent of the adult is used in Social Care to record and transcribe conversations, creating summaries, and first drafts of case notes and/or assessments.  It helps Social Workers reduce time spent on administrative tasks, allowing them to focus more time on client interactions.  The Adult Support and Protection Team was the first to pilot and evaluate this tool in Dumfries and Galloway.  The evaluation has evidenced significant benefits to staff health and well-being allowing better work-life balance, a reduction in work related stress as well as crucial time for self-reflection and self-development.

With an exciting benefits package, working for Dumfries and Galloway Council supports you to invest in your own health and wellbeing.  Employees have access to our bespoke Vivup platform with over 800 discounts on everyday essentials from top UK retailers, restaurants, utility providers and more.  Employees also get access to exclusive discounts from local businesses, a Cycle-to-Work scheme, financial support from My Money Matters, and guidance from our trained Wellbeing Champions.

 

The post holder will work closely with the existing Senior Social Workers, other Social work Assessment & Support Coordinators within the team and others in a multi-disciplinary way, including service users and their families.

The successful candidate should be educated in further/higher education relevant to health and social care or SCQF level 7 eg SVQ level 3/HNC or equivalent in a relevant subject.

 

The Individual

Please note this post will be based in Irish Street, Dumfries, however contact with services users will be made throughout the region. The post is currently with the regionwide MASH team, however, in accordance with service need there may be occasions when you are asked to support one of our other Social Work Teams. 

This post is considered as Regulated Work with Vulnerable Children and  Protected Adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.  From 28 February 2011, preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG scheme update check prior to formal offer of employment being made by Dumfries and Galloway Council.

 

Applicants who have been resident outside the UK within the last 5 years, if offered a position, in addition to a Disclosure Scotland Check, will be required to provide a completed police record check from the police authority in the country or countries in which they were resident.

 

A current driving licence is an essential requirement of this post.

With an exciting benefits package, working for Dumfries and Galloway Council supports you to invest in your own health and wellbeing.  Employees have access to our bespoke Vivup platform with over 800 discounts on everyday essentials from top UK retailers, restaurants, utility providers and more.  Employees also get access to membership of The Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) exclusive discounts from local businesses, a Cycle-to-Work scheme, financial support from My Money Matters, and guidance from our trained Wellbeing Champions.

Here at Dumfries and Galloway Council we are committed to equality, diversity and equal opportunity with our values, which include treating everyone with dignity, fairness and respect, driving us to tackle inequality. We are looking for people that can bring different perspectives and experiences and especially welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in our organisation.

 

For further information please contact:

Kirsten Biggar, Senior Social Worker, 07584640019,

Kirsten.Biggar@dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk

Sarah Ramsay, Senior Social Worker, 07899400862

Sarah.Ramsay@dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk

Donna Fisher, Team Manager, 07776450194

Donna.Fisher@dumgal.gov.uk