Senior Practitioner

**The role**:
You will receive 25 days of annual leave (plus bank holidays) with an additional 5 days after five years service. Other benefits include Local Government pension scheme, council and NHS employee discount schemes, access to wellbeing services, car lease scheme, paid for parking and many others.

**The service**:
Being at home or in a community setting is the best place to continue with a person’s recovery once an illness requiring hospital care is over and reduces unnecessary time in hospital for people for whom a community or other setting is most appropriate.

Following a stay in hospital, most people are able to return home without any further support. However, for some people, they may need further support, ranging from a very short period, to support for the rest of their lives. This can include:

- A further period of rehabilitation and recuperation, with extra support for a period of days weeks, or sometimes months until they regain full health or reach their agreed maximum potential.
- Returning home with a care package of services, aids or adaptations made to their home.
- Added support which is only available in a care home, which will last for a long period and often for the rest of their lives. A safe, effective transfer from hospital helping people to return to living independently at the right time is a cornerstone of our health and social care system.

At Warrington and Halton Hospitals Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WHH) and Warrington Borough Council (WBC), our Hospital Discharge Team has been on a programme of transformation taking integration beyond co-location by working together as an integrated team creating a whole system that aims to deliver tomorrow’s service today.

We are looking for experienced, dedicated and passionate Social Workers to join our team. As a Senior Practitioner, you will carry a small case-load, and support the Team Manager and Service Manager with leadership and team development.

**Responsibilities**:
As a Practitioner, you will be a valued member of the leadership team within the service to effectively support, mentor and guide colleagues in their roles. You will have a team of colleagues to directly supervise and take responsibility in mentoring and inducting new starters within the team, including Social Workers who are completing their Assessed and Supported Year of Employment (ASYE). Collaborative working and the ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with a range of health and social care colleagues both in the hospital and the community are an essential element of the role. Working within the Care Act framework, you will place the needs of person at the heart of your assessment and decision making ensuring risks are evaluated and managed with the support of professional colleagues.

**The team**:
Ours is an award winning team recognised by the council and hospital alike for supporting people during their hospital stay to plan for their return to the community. If you are a committed team worker that wants the best for the people of Warrington and want a role within our service, you will be part of an inclusive and supportive team where you will have the opportunity to shape and further improve the services we deliver.

**What we will offer you**:

- A warm welcome and planned, comprehensive induction
- Excellent training and development opportunities
- Regular monthly reflective supervision
- A number of employee benefits and staff discounts through council and NHS schemes
- A rewarding job role working in a truly integrated health and social care team.

**This is what our staff said in a recent survey**:
“At WBC we care about our service users and each other”

“I feel trusted in my role”

“From when you first join the team onwards there is a feeling of belonging”

Warrington is situated between Liverpool and Manchester with good road and rail connections, providing easy access to all other areas of the country. £107m is being spent on updating the town, providing it with new shops and market hall, a cinema complex, restaurants and council offices. Our team is based close to the town centre at Warrington & Halton Hospital, on a bus route and a short walk from the station.

DBS clearance is required.

The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Warrington Borough Council is a Disability Confident employer