Advanced Practitioner (Social Worker/Mental Health Officer)

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In Falkirk, we are proud and passionate about the work we do. We are proud to have a workforce with values that promote human rights, social justice, and professional integrity. We recognise the importance of diversity within our organisation that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome practitioners to work in a dynamic environment with a forward-thinking workforce, who are determined to make a positive difference for people accessing services and living in our communities who experience severe and enduring mental health difficulties. Trauma informed and a strength based social work approach sits at the heart of our practice. We are committed to continuing to develop a culture where all our workforce feels valued, included, and able to be their best at work. This supports our mission to be recognised as a learning organisation promoting openness and creativity across the workforce.

We have a new temporary Advanced Practitioner Social Worker/Mental Health Officer post available within our Integrated Community Mental Health Team. This post is for Qualified Social Workers with Mental Health Officer accreditation, and you must be registered with SSSC. You will be managed by the Team Leader supported by two Assistant Team Managers. Individual professional supervision will be from an Assistant Team Manager based within the service and the postholder will be employed by Falkirk Council Health and Social Care Partnership as we work in partnership with health colleagues in NHS Forth Valley affording excellent opportunities for joint and integrated working. You will therefore work closely with colleagues from disciplines within the Integrated Community Mental Health Team including Community Psychiatric Nursing, Psychiatry, Psychology, Occupational Therapy and Mental Health staff based within psychiatric wards in addition to generic ward staff within Forth Valley Royal Hospital. There is also an expectation that the postholder will link with Social Work Community Care Locality Teams, Children & Families and Justice Teams in addition to multi-disciplinary working with Housing, Police Scotland and third-sector services.

You will be expected to have experience of working with service users who are experiencing mental health difficulties and hold a caseload which will involve complexity and risk. Experience of Hospital Discharge, especially in relation to delayed discharge and Adults with Incapacity legislation, is also expected. You will require good personal and professional values, strong relational practice skills, and emotional intelligence. You will be expected to work with adults with severe and enduring mental illness, their families and carers to carry out outcome focused assessments and statutory work as per service demand. This will include arranging, managing and reviewing packages of care to meet assessed needs in addition to statutory responsibilities under relevant legislation relating to mental health, incapacity, adult protection, and MHO duty rota. You will also be expected to contribute to improvements in practice, policy and procedure and support developments, including training, through the contribution of advanced knowledge and skills. The purpose of the position of Advanced Practitioner is also to be a role model and, through mentoring, support the delivery of competent and confident professional practice within the Integrated Community Mental Health Team.

 

Requirements

This post is based within Woodlands Resource Centre Falkirk however, you may be required to work from any other Falkirk Council premises, and you must have the ability to travel as per service demand.

This is a temporary 27 hours per week post for 1 year, and Falkirk Council promote a flexible and home working policy.

You will be required to evidence the following criteria at interview: Experience of chairing meetings, evidence where you have supported team practice and development and examples of mentoring, facilitating student placements, groups or communities of practice.

The successful candidate will be required to gain/maintain PVG scheme membership, the cost of which will be met by the preferred candidate.

For an informal discussion, please contact Charlene Watson / Roslyn Henderson on (01324) 624111.