Community Social Worker Lead Practitioner

Adur, Arun, Worthing (AAW) Community Rehabilitation Service

Qualified Social Worker

The AAW Community Rehabilitation Service are looking for an experienced Mental Health Social Worker who has a keen interest in working in a supportive multi-disciplinary setting with patients experiencing severe and enduring mental health difficulties, with a particular interest in psychosis and rehabilitation.

The usual hours of work are Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm.

Due to the nature of the role it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes.

You will be joining a warm, friendly, highly supportive team of dedicated colleagues who work together to offer the best possible service to the people we see.

To maintain patient safety, in collaboration with patients, carers and other team members

To hold a caseload of patients for whom you would be lead practitioner for and be responsible for delivering their care and monitoring and assessing their mental health.

Responsible for recognising the potential for or signs of patient harm, abuse or neglect and taking all reasonable steps to protect the patient.

Provides clinical advice on complex issues to other members of the clinical team and staff from other disciplines.

Undertakes urgent and priority assessments with risk assessments.

Responsible for decision making and coordination in a crisis situation.

Take responsibility for the management of complex patients who present to the team when their Lead Practitioner is absent from work and the patient requires an urgent response.

To liaise with other services eg: Police; A & E as required.

Responsible for participating in the setting of quality standards and offering a consistent approach to people open within the team.

Support the team to deliver a range of interventions in accordance with the agreed plan of care.

Maintain effective communication strategies, both written and verbal, to ensure high standards of care for patients are met.

Support members of the team with other specialist assessments, as required for example, application of the Mental Capacity Act 2005; Knowledge of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, s42 Care Act regarding Safeguarding Adults.

The NHS is changing and with more emphasis on community-based care there's never been a better time to join us. Over the next three years, community mental health services are going to be undergoing a real transformation and you could be part of these exciting developments. Our community mental health teams will become part of a much more integrated network of services and our mental health clinicians will be central in driving the changes, in close partnership with our primary and third sector colleagues.

We recognise that working in mental health can be stressful so we prioritise staff welfare, providing regular supervision, reflective practice, mentoring, and any other support that our clinicians need to ensure their wellbeing.

We look forward to hearing from you. Please contact if you want to know more about the role.

Excellent communication skills are needed in the role in regard to communicating with all stakeholders including patients, carers, third sector providers, internal and external agencies and services.

Ideally, we would prefer someone who has experience of supporting patients with psychosis (and we positively encourage applicants with lived experience). An inclusive and positive attitude is essential. If your current role includes duty work, that will be an advantage in your application. We always provide a robust induction and the wellbeing of our team is always thought about. Supervision, appraisal and training are all highly valued and prioritized.