Mental Health Social Worker

Job summary
Mental Health Social Worker - MHUCD

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a mental health Social Worker in our MHUCD.

The Mental Health Urgent Care Department (MHUCD) is a place where anyone in Essex, aged 18 and above, who is in a mental health crisis can receive an urgent biopsychosocial assessment and immediate care planning. It is a purpose built department based at the Basildon Mental Health Unit on the Basildon Hospital site.

The department will offer a calm and therapeutic mental health setting to see the majority of urgent/emergency mental health presentations and represent an improvement on the service previously offered in busy emergency departments.

Main duties of the job
Social workers within the Mental Health Urgent Care Department (MHUCD) provide a person-centred, strengths-based approach to care, with a focus on the psychosocial factors that impact an individual's mental health, wellbeing, and behaviour.

Within assessment and intervention, social workers will:

• Identify and address social determinants of mental health, including social exclusion and its impact on wellbeing (e.g. housing instability, poverty, unemployment, and social isolation)
• Contribute to biopsychosocial assessments, ensuring that social context is fully integrated into risk assessment, formulation, and care planning
• Support access to appropriate social care services and community resources

Where safeguarding concerns are identified, social workers will:

• Lead on safeguarding processes, in line with Trust safeguarding policies and statutory responsibilities
• Provide specialist advice, guidance, and consultation to the multidisciplinary team (MDT)
• Ensure timely referral, escalation, and coordination with relevant safeguarding agencies

Social workers in the MHUCD (Mental Health Urgent Care Department) will lead and engage with carers, children and family members, in discussion around their own support needs, and how they can support the vulnerable person to promote recovery and social inclusion

About us
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication.

At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
• Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for a detailed list of responsibilities.

Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential

• Possession of recognised Social Work Qualification - Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent
• Registered with Social Work England

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.
• Working knowledge of The Care Act and other key legislation.

Desirable

• A variety of experiences working with people with mental health difficulties.
• Supervisory experience

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).