Job Description

To provide professional and comprehensive social care casework to a caseload of people with mental health difficulties, some of which will be complex. All will require the highest of professional standards and in depth knowledge of relevant legislation and practice methods.
To undertake practice and professional Lead responsibility for a specified area of Social Care in the day to day running of the team including supervision of social care staff.
Main duties of the job
Deliver professional social care casework to individuals with mental health difficulties, including complex cases, using expert knowledge of legislation and best practices.
Lead practice in a designated area of social care, ensuring high standards and consistency across the team.
Supervise and support social care staff, providing guidance, oversight, and professional development.
Ensure legal and ethical compliance, safeguarding service users and advocating for their rights and access to services.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and contribute to service planning, improvement, and outcome evaluation.
About us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Details
Date posted
19 November 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
47,810 to 54,710 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
363-LUT7589233
Job locations
Charter House
Alma Street
Luton
LU1 2PJ
Job description
Job responsibilities
Comprehensive details of the role are within the main job description however these are the outlines.
Provide expert social care casework for individuals with mental health difficulties, ensuring tailored support and adherence to legal frameworks.
Lead practice in a specialist area, contributing to the operational effectiveness and quality of care within the team.
Supervise and develop social care staff, offering professional guidance, oversight, and support for continuous improvement.
Ensure compliance with legislation and safeguarding protocols, upholding ethical standards and advocating for service users' rights.
Collaborate across disciplines to enhance service delivery, contribute to planning, and evaluate outcomes for continuous improvement. Job description
Job responsibilities
Comprehensive details of the role are within the main job description however these are the outlines.
Provide expert social care casework for individuals with mental health difficulties, ensuring tailored support and adherence to legal frameworks.
Lead practice in a specialist area, contributing to the operational effectiveness and quality of care within the team.
Supervise and develop social care staff, offering professional guidance, oversight, and support for continuous improvement.
Ensure compliance with legislation and safeguarding protocols, upholding ethical standards and advocating for service users' rights.
Collaborate across disciplines to enhance service delivery, contribute to planning, and evaluate outcomes for continuous improvement.
Person Specification
Additional
Essential

• Must be able to visit locations within the Borough easily and travel outside the borough using public transport.

Desirable

• Valid driving licence and car available for business use.

Qualifications or membership to a Registered Body
Essential

• Recognised Social Work qualification and registered with Social Work England
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Evidence of a recognised Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or Approved Social Work (pre 2007) training or willingness to complete and commit to AMHP training
• To undertake lead professional responsibility for some areas of social care in the day to day running of the teams and supervision of team members and social work students, as required.

Desirable

• Post Qualification award
• Best Interest Assessor Training
• Practice Educator training

Skills, knowledge and experience
Essential

• oMulti-disciplinary Social Care experience within multi-disciplinary team - relevant to people with mental health difficulties.
• oA broad and consistent range of experience of working with cases of people with severe and enduring mental health needs, complex social care needs, section 117 needs and complex safeguarding issues.
• oExperience of working with Safeguarding policies, procedures, and best practices.
• oExperience of accessing Self-Directed-Support (SDS) packages for people with mental health needs and carers.
• oExperience of assessment of social care needs, care and support planning, presenting to funding panels, and accessing suitable accommodation for people with mental health needs.
• oExperience of reviewing care packages
• oExperience of participating as an AMHP.
• oEvidence of partnership working with other agencies including Social Care Services, Health Services, Voluntary Agencies and/or Education
• oExperience of undertaking assessments and other duties in accordance with relevant health and social care legislation.
• oUnderstand a range of models of mental disorder, including the contribution of social, physical and development factors. Understand the social perspective on mental disorder and mental health needs,
• oAbility to build relationships across organisational and professional boundaries
• oAbility to analyse and interpret complex data required to deliver the service.
• oAbility to deal with complex issues arising from managing a diverse multidisciplinary service
• oExcellent verbal and written communication skills
• oGood risk assessment and management skills
• oUnderstanding of social care resources and provision available beyond statutory agencies
• oExperience of supervision or practice teaching.
• oAbility to demonstrate leadership under pressure, including good communication, prioritisation, and influencing.
• oExtensive experience of applying assessment skills within a statutory social work setting.

Council Competencies
Essential

• Customer/Client Relationships; focuses on customer satisfaction and delivers a quality service to the agreed standards.
• Interpersonal Skills; Works effectively with individuals, teams, clients and staff. Supporting others and showing clear personal values in line with those of the organisation.
• Adapting and Coping; Adapts and responds well to change. Manages pressure effectively and copes well with setbacks.
• Analysing Interpreting and Judging; Thinks analytically, ability to solve complex problems and issues, makes rational, realistic and sound judgements.
• Planning and Performing; Plans ahead and works in a systematic and organised way. Follows direction and procedures.
• Organisational Awareness and Strategic Thinking; Thinks broadly and strategically, supports and drives organisational change. Understands functions and needs of the organisation.

Person Specification
Additional
Essential

• Must be able to visit locations within the Borough easily and travel outside the borough using public transport.

Desirable

• Valid driving licence and car available for business use.

Qualifications or membership to a Registered Body
Essential

• Recognised Social Work qualification and registered with Social Work England
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Evidence of a recognised Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or Approved Social Work (pre 2007) training or willingness to complete and commit to AMHP training
• To undertake lead professional responsibility for some areas of social care in the day to day running of the teams and supervision of team members and social work students, as required.

Desirable

• Post Qualification award
• Best Interest Assessor Training
• Practice Educator training

Skills, knowledge and experience
Essential

• oMulti-disciplinary Social Care experience within multi-disciplinary team - relevant to people with mental health difficulties.
• oA broad and consistent range of experience of working with cases of people with severe and enduring mental health needs, complex social care needs, section 117 needs and complex safeguarding issues.
• oExperience of working with Safeguarding policies, procedures, and best practices.
• oExperience of accessing Self-Directed-Support (SDS) packages for people with mental health needs and carers.
• oExperience of assessment of social care needs, care and support planning, presenting to funding panels, and accessing suitable accommodation for people with mental health needs.
• oExperience of reviewing care packages
• oExperience of participating as an AMHP.
• oEvidence of partnership working with other agencies including Social Care Services, Health Services, Voluntary Agencies and/or Education
• oExperience of undertaking assessments and other duties in accordance with relevant health and social care legislation.
• oUnderstand a range of models of mental disorder, including the contribution of social, physical and development factors. Understand the social perspective on mental disorder and mental health needs,
• oAbility to build relationships across organisational and professional boundaries
• oAbility to analyse and interpret complex data required to deliver the service.
• oAbility to deal with complex issues arising from managing a diverse multidisciplinary service
• oExcellent verbal and written communication skills
• oGood risk assessment and management skills
• oUnderstanding of social care resources and provision available beyond statutory agencies
• oExperience of supervision or practice teaching.
• oAbility to demonstrate leadership under pressure, including good communication, prioritisation, and influencing.
• oExtensive experience of applying assessment skills within a statutory social work setting.

Council Competencies
Essential

• Customer/Client Relationships; focuses on customer satisfaction and delivers a quality service to the agreed standards.
• Interpersonal Skills; Works effectively with individuals, teams, clients and staff. Supporting others and showing clear personal values in line with those of the organisation.
• Adapting and Coping; Adapts and responds well to change. Manages pressure effectively and copes well with setbacks.
• Analysing Interpreting and Judging; Thinks analytically, ability to solve complex problems and issues, makes rational, realistic and sound judgements.
• Planning and Performing; Plans ahead and works in a systematic and organised way. Follows direction and procedures.
• Organisational Awareness and Strategic Thinking; Thinks broadly and strategically, supports and drives organisational change. Understands functions and needs of the organisation.

Skills Required