Senior Practitioner

We are offering a fixed-term opportunity for an experienced practitioner to step into a senior leadership role within the Hospital Discharge Team. This role is well suited to someone looking to develop their management experience, support others in their professional growth, and contribute to a high-performing, solution-focused hospital service. As part of a team supporting safe and timely discharge from both the Bristol Royal Infirmary and Southmead Hospital, you will work flexibly across the two sites, collaborating with ward staff, therapy teams, discharge coordinators, community services and health partners, alongside individuals and their families, to ensure that people leave hospital with the right level of support, at the right time, in a way that promotes dignity, independence and wellbeing. Key Responsibilities Support the team in applying the Care Act and Mental Capacity Act in complex situations, where risk, autonomy and safeguarding concerns often intersect. Provide day‑to‑day advice and guidance to social workers and coordinators, helping them to navigate difficult conversations, best‑interest decisions and the balance between choice and safety. Maintain oversight of complex casework, offer reflective support, and help the team maintain consistency and professional calm in a fast‑paced environment. Oversee the team’s work in relation to Care Act assessments, Section 42 enquiries, discharge planning, mental capacity assessments and best‑interests decisions, ensuring these are carried out proportionately and in line with the person’s strengths, outcomes and support networks. Support staff to work effectively with individuals and families where there may be carer strain, concern about home circumstances or disagreements around risk, while promoting independence, dignity and wellbeing. Provide supervision, practice guidance and operational support, working collaboratively across health and social care settings to enable safe discharge. Promote a positive, reflective and supportive team culture. Requirements and Qualifications We’re looking for someone who is confident in managing complexity, values relationship‑based practice, and can hold risk while promoting independence and choice. A good working knowledge of hospital discharge pathways, brokerage processes and community resources is essential. You must be able to hold an Enhanced DBS check. Benefits and Working Arrangements At Bristol City Council, you’ll benefit from a flexible working and flexitime arrangement, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and a generous annual leave allowance. Hybrid working arrangements are available, allowing teams to work from home or office as suits service need and individual choice. Application Process To be shortlisted for an interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification. Candidates will be required to provide references after they are invited to an interview. When applying, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification or contact Charlotte Holloway for further information. Senior‑Executive Information Location: Bristol, England Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level Employment type: Full‑time, Fixed Term – 12 months Job function: Information Technology, Government Administration We are a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to applicants who meet essential criteria, and we provide reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process. At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit. #J-18808-Ljbffr