HOS Social Worker - Internal Only

An exciting opportunity has been created for an Housing Outreach Service Social Worker post In Bridgend. This will be a CTM/SMAF funded post initially on a six month secondment basis and will be advertised through existing Social Workers in the BCBC area.

The role, though a CTM funded position will be based on the postholder being based and linked with the Bridgend Substance Misuse Social Work team, working in partnership, with local statutory and non- statutory services in the borough of Bridgend.

To participate in effective partnership working and engagement and to work collaboratively with a range of organisations, statutory and voluntary in delivering services to children, young people and adults;

To work in co-production with children, young people, adults, their carers and significant others in undertaking assessments and planning;

To complete written records, reports and assessments to a good standard as required in line with Children's and Adult's Services policies and practices;

To ensure that the views of Children and young people are listened to as part of any process undertaken or:

To recognise that Adults with capacity are able to judge what is in their best interest and what will meet their wellbeing needs.

Where appropriate approach and undertake Mental capacity assessments to fulfil the requirements of the MCA Code of Practice; social workers are also required under this statutory duty to ensure proper and objective assessment when working out best interests on each relevant occasion;

To maintain the highest professional standards in the discharge of this post and to uphold the Social Care Wales Code of Professional Practice; and promote to others within the area of responsibility;

Meet the requirements of the Service Quality Assurance framework and standards;

To take personal responsibility for keeping up to date with legislation, research findings and practice knowledge, including attendance at appropriate training;

Value, recognise and respect the diversity, expertise and experience of individuals, families, carers, groups and communities and in doing so enable them to make informed decisions and express what matters to them;

Appropriately challenge the judgements and decisions of others where there is evidence that the wellbeing outcomes are not being achieved;

Engaging in a structured conversation with those making initial enquiry of the service and evaluating any information given:

Use an outcome focussed and strength based approach;

Giving information, advice/and or sign- posting to other services;

Ensure that information about advocacy services is provided.

Apply thresholds to make a judgement on whether a referral is appropriate;

Assessing urgency of response required to a referral;

Assessing initial level of priority of a referral;

Making initial enquiries, e.g. other agencies, contacts;

Accurately and fully recording referral information in accordance with departmental procedures;

Ensuring the timely transfer of referral information in accordance with departmental procedures and time scales;

Safeguarding the wellbeing of a child or adults at risk of immediate harm.

Undertaking assessments in line with the Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014 with children, adults and their families/carers, identifying outcomes and where required developing care and support plans, which are monitored and reviewed.

Risks to children and adults are assessed and balanced in a way that promotes coproduction, independence and choice;

Strengths within the persons circumstances are identified and promoted;

Have a responsibility to plan and work within the financial resources which have been secured to deliver social care services within their area of accountability;

Social inclusion of isolated and vulnerable people is promoted; particularly networking with community and family resources;

Work in collaboration with other agencies adopting a multi disciplinary approach where appropriate;

Ensuring that electronically held records, including case recordings, assessments, care and support plans and reviews are completed and/or updated in accordance with departmental policy and procedures

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Accessing Social Services

Engaging in a structured conversation with those making initial enquiry of the service and evaluating any information given;

Use an outcome focussed and strength based approach;

Giving information, advice/and or sign- posting to other services;

Ensure that information about advocacy services is provided.

Apply thresholds to make a judgement on whether a referral is appropriate;

Assessing urgency of response required to a referral;

Assessing initial level of priority of a referral

Making initial enquiries, e.g. other agencies, contacts;

Accurately and fully recording referral information in accordance with departmental procedures;

Ensuring the timely transfer of referral information in accordance with departmental procedures and time scales;

Safeguarding the wellbeing of a child or adults at risk of immediate harm.

Assessment

Evaluating the nature of possible needs based on referral information and any previous records;

Undertake assessments in line with current legislation;

Identify and manage risk;

Making enquiries, e.g. inter-agency contact;

Making arrangements for an appointment and/or visit for assessment;

Engaging in direct work with children, adults and carer/s to carry out a proportionate assessment;

Working with children, adults and carers, social workers seek to enhance their problem solving capabilities in a way that support maximum independence and choice;

Considering with children/ young people and adults, individual's and carers, options to best meet the outcomes identified and assist in making informed decisions;

Seeking to maximise the financial and material resources available to service users from all possible sources;

Collating the findings of the assessment and completing assessment documentation in accordance with statutory guidance, legislation and departmental procedures and timescales;

Preparing court and other specialist reports in the required standard and format;

Ensuring that case file recording is completed in accordance with departmental

procedures and policy;

Ensuring that electronically held records are completed and/or updated in accordance with departmental policy and procedures;

Convening and/or attending inter-agency meetings/liaison, e.g. Child or Adult Protection

Conferences, CLA Reviews and strategy meetings

Negotiating, arranging and confirming resources with service providers to meet

outcomes;

Planning and Managing Care & Support

Plan & manage care and support in line with current legislation;

Promote the empowerment of children, adults and carer/s through agreeing desired outcomes that promote independence;

Agreeing a range of solutions to meet the identified outcome with children, adults and carer/s;

Obtaining appropriate management authorisation prior to the commencement of care and support plans;

Negotiating, co-ordinating and confirming resources with service providers to meet outcomes;

Recording and disseminating care and support plan in accordance with statutory requirements, legislation and departmental procedures;

Completing commissioning/contracting documentation in accordance with

departmental policy and timescales;

Convening and/or attending inter-agency meetings/liaison, e.g. Child or Adult

Protection Conferences, CLA Reviews, Best Interest meetings and planning meetings;

Identifying the risk of abuse, failure to protect, harm to self or others and assess the need for intervention in such situations;

Participating in statutory processes to promote and protect the well-being of

vulnerable children and/or adults including investigation where appropriate;

To contribute operational knowledge and expertise to the process of service review and development as well as developing local implementation strategies for new legislation, guidance and advice.

Monitoring and Reviewing Provision

Arranging and co-ordinating review of the care and support plan or care and treatment plan;

Engaging directly with children/adults/families/carers in the review of the care and support plan or care and treatment plan and agreeing changes where necessary;

Negotiating and agreeing changes to plan with providers and other agencies involved;

Completing review documentation in accordance with legislation and departmental policy and timescales;

Ensuring that children, adults and families are aware of the complaints procedures and advocacy services.

Managing Workload

Timely administration of all aspects of caseload

Preparing and engaging in professional supervision with line manager;

Use supervision to critically reflect upon own practice and performance.

Establishing and maintaining good working relationships with colleagues;

Completing appropriate documentation, e.g. agenda/minutes of supervision

As a registered social worker, the individual practitioner is required to demonstrate Continuing Professional Development that will meet the requirements of Social Care Wales;

To promote the sharing of good and consistent practice, and the continuing improvement

of services to children, young people, adults and their families;

Have a responsibility to plan and work within the financial resources which have been secured to deliver social care services within their area of accountability;

To undertake post qualifying awards and utilise, in practice, the skills acquired including but not limited to mentoring Social Work Students;

To ensure that services provided are non-discriminatory in respect of race, sex, age, marital status, sexuality, disability, religion or nationality

One Social Work post for the Service in the Bridgend locality who will be part of the Wider HOS Team, working closely with the Cwm Taf locality HOS Social Workers.

The Social Worker will provide, but is not limited to the following:

Outreach service provision for individuals with complex needs

Advice and information

Assessment

Care Planning

Risk Assessment

Harm reduction advice and interventions

Advice on safer drinking

Motivational Interviewing

Social Care

Carers Support Services

Cares assessment (Carers Measure 2010)

Access to Residential Rehabilitation

Court of Protection

Mental Health Act

Liaison and drop in clinics

Attendance at MARAC and MAPPA meetings

Liaison with Specialist Support Teams

Direct caseload working with individuals with complex needs

Joint working between Housing, Mental Health, Physical Health and Substance Misuse agencies will assist to manage co-occurring issues.

Supporting Social Work students on placements

Work with individuals presenting with co-dependency and co-morbidity.

The Service Providers must ensure that Service users and carers:

Are involved in the development and review of their individual care and support plan and have their personal outcomes incorporated into this plan.

Have easy access to information on all services that are available locally to the service user.

Have easy access to information on available treatment options.

Receive information on how to make comments, complaints and compliments about the service(s) they receive and their right to access to information.

CORE SKILLS/COMPETENCIES OF STAFF

The service provider will ensure that staff/volunteers who are responsible for developing and delivering services are appropriately recruited, trained and qualified for the work they undertake, in line with extant national guidance.

Protecting children, young people or adults at risk is a core responsibility of all council employees.

An Enhanced with Adults Barred list criminal records check by the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) is a requirement for this post.

A valid driving licence is requirement for this post.

The council's Hybrid Working Policy applies to this post. This provides a framework for establishing how you will undertake working hours between your home and the office.

Starting point will be determined in line with Progression Framework.

A relocation package up to £8,000 will be considered for this post.

Closing Date: 17 September 2025

Shortlisting Date: 22 September 2025

Interview Date: 03 October 2025

Benefits to working at Bridgend County Borough Council

Job Description & Person Specification