Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for highly motivated social workers to join Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) as locally we invest in the development of social workers and as we play a lead role in the 'Think Ahead' initiative. EPUT is a highly successful and ambitious organisation dedicated to providing mental health services, substance misuse services and other specialist award winning services to a population of approximately 2.5million throughout Essex, Bedfordshire and Suffolk.
We are seeking enthusiastic and resourceful social workers who will have the ability to respond positively and creatively to the needs of our service users.
Main duties of the job
You will work as part of the discharge team on one of our locality psychiatric units working with patients (currently on the psychiatric inpatient unit); their families, the mental health system and working proactively with the discharge coordinator to ensure that patients are discharged in a timely manner, ensuring that their needs under the Care Act (2014) are assessed and met.
Our posts require people with a high degree of flexibility and creativity and a positive, forward-thinking attitude.
You must be an excellent communicator, dynamic and well versed and assertive in multi-disciplinary working and developing and maintaining relationships with key partners.
In return we offer you support from our established Social Care Leadership Team, supervision, training and development opportunities.
About us
EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment
Join our Staff bank
What is Staff Bank?
Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.
All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.
If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.
Details
Date posted
04 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
38,682 to 46,580 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
364-A-9307
Job locations
Basildon Mental Health Unit
Nethermayne
Basildon
SS16 5NL
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will work as a Social Worker as part of the discharge team providing high quality interventions to service users experiencing a wide range of mental health difficulties, promoting recovery and independence.
You will work with a defined caseload, working with individuals and their families, where there are system wide barriers that delay discharge and recovery. It would be highly beneficial if the successful candidate holds previous knowledge and/or experience of accommodation funding streams, local housing referral pathways and priority need, safeguarding, dual diagnosis, NRPF (No Recourse to Public Funds), and social circumstances that lead to both admission and challenges to discharge.
This post will involve implementing the personalisation agenda through strengths based assessments and youll be vital to delivering the statutory social care duties and responsibilities within the Care Act (2014).
The postholder is required to actively practice as an AMHP, if they have an AMHP qualification, on the Area AMHP rota, undertaking MHA assessments and other allocated work in relation to service users with a range of mental health problems and engaging with their carers so that, within the legislations, appropriate action is taken. Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will work as a Social Worker as part of the discharge team providing high quality interventions to service users experiencing a wide range of mental health difficulties, promoting recovery and independence.
You will work with a defined caseload, working with individuals and their families, where there are system wide barriers that delay discharge and recovery. It would be highly beneficial if the successful candidate holds previous knowledge and/or experience of accommodation funding streams, local housing referral pathways and priority need, safeguarding, dual diagnosis, NRPF (No Recourse to Public Funds), and social circumstances that lead to both admission and challenges to discharge.
This post will involve implementing the personalisation agenda through strengths based assessments and youll be vital to delivering the statutory social care duties and responsibilities within the Care Act (2014).
The postholder is required to actively practice as an AMHP, if they have an AMHP qualification, on the Area AMHP rota, undertaking MHA assessments and other allocated work in relation to service users with a range of mental health problems and engaging with their carers so that, within the legislations, appropriate action is taken.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential

• Possession of recognised Social Work Qualification - Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent
• Registration with Social Work England, Approved Mental Health Professional. - either already approved as an AMHP, or agrees a commitment to AMHP training.

Desirable

• Studying or willingness to study towards full Post Qualification Award in Social Work

Knowledge
Essential

• Multi-disciplinary Social Care experience within multi-disciplinary team - relevant to people with mental health difficulties.
• Knowledge and understanding of Social Care practice as defined by Social Work England and appropriate legislation and guidance.

Desirable

• A variety of experiences working with people with mental health difficulties.
• Supervisory experience
• Awareness of government guidance and legislative changes across broad range of NHS and Social Care issues

Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential

• Possession of recognised Social Work Qualification - Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent
• Registration with Social Work England, Approved Mental Health Professional. - either already approved as an AMHP, or agrees a commitment to AMHP training.

Desirable

• Studying or willingness to study towards full Post Qualification Award in Social Work

Knowledge
Essential

• Multi-disciplinary Social Care experience within multi-disciplinary team - relevant to people with mental health difficulties.
• Knowledge and understanding of Social Care practice as defined by Social Work England and appropriate legislation and guidance.

Desirable

• A variety of experiences working with people with mental health difficulties.
• Supervisory experience
• Awareness of government guidance and legislative changes across broad range of NHS and Social Care issues

Skills Required