We are bold and ambitious in our plans, with a clear vision and direction for the future. Our status as one of the UK’s fastest growing towns is driving transformational change across our organisation, most significantly within our highly valued Adults’ Services teams.
Swindon Borough Council has ended the secondment arrangements after many years of social workers being seconded into the mental health NHS Trust.
We are forming a new mental health team within the council.
Your next role
This is an opportunity to join and shape a newly formed team with high ambitions to support people with a mental illness in Swindon.
You will have a sound knowledge of the Care Act; strengths based working; and a willingness to learn and develop alongside your team colleagues
Experience of mental health social work is preferred but we will consider people who have sound practice skills and are willing to learn more about mental health work.
You will also be passionate about ensuring people with a mental illness are supported to live their best lives.
You must be fluent in the English language (as a requirement of Part 7 of the Immigration Act “for the effective performance of a customer-facing role”).
Our transformation journey
Like all other local authorities, we are experiencing an increase in demand. As an organisation we know our Adults’ Services are on a rapid improvement journey which is why last year we started making big changes across the service to provide the best care for children and great conditions for our staff. This started with us recruiting an entirely new leadership team of experienced, forward thinking managers who are driving changes in the service and we aim to be one of the best Adults’ Services in the country.
Our Adult Practitioners’ induction
A practitioner-specific, Swindon-specific induction programme, aimed at providing you with the information you need regarding the policies and procedures of Adult Social Care at Swindon Borough Council.
The induction programme incorporates a blend of face-to-face activities and e-learning modules aimed at consolidating and reviewing your knowledge of the key areas.
These key areas include:
- understanding how to use our case management system
- understanding the Safeguarding and Quality Assurance policies and procedures
- understanding and using a strength-based approach
Improvements include:
- Multi-million pound investment in staff and support
- Significant restructure creating smaller social worker teams
- New intuitive IT system to cut down on desk time and make mobile working the norm
- High standards for management practice, support and supervision for staff
- Listening to our social workers by holding regular social work forums
- Implementing Liquid Logic and will be using this system from October 2023.
At the heart of it all is our desire to promote and cultivate a strong learning culture combined with outstanding leadership and supervision. Here is what you can expect to find when you arrive:
- Early help and community health practitioners co-located with our social workers, providing great working relationships
- Fantastic relationships with partner agencies such as the police and Swindon CCG
- Teams located within communities, providing a closer connection to the people we work with
For Swindon to thrive in the future, we need to lay the foundations now. It’s why our regeneration and transformation programmes are already underway. So, you will be joining us at an exciting time on our journey. We will look to you to share your knowledge, influence decisions and drive real, positive change. With your contributions, we will achieve our vision of a prosperous, re-vitalised Swindon by 2030 together. And you’ll be proud to say it was made better with you.
Our new offer to you
We recognise that getting the best outcomes for our Adults means getting the best from you and we have listened to what our Social Workers and our Managers most value.
Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details.
As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance.
Your next steps
Read the role profile and select the Apply button where you will be redirected to the Swindon Borough Council website to complete our online application process. Clicking the ‘Apply’ button on this job website is not an application, you must register on the Swindon Borough Council website in order to be considered for the role.
Potential applicants are sometimes put off if they don’t meet 100% of the requirements. We think individual experience, skills and passion make all the difference, so if you are a registered practitioner and meet the majority of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you.
We will be reviewing CVs as candidates apply and reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Therefore, early applications are strongly encouraged.
For an informal discussion, please contact Anna Grainger, Head of Service - Complex Care, Learning Disability & Transitions, at AGrainger@swindon.gov.uk
If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your application please email resourcing@swindon.gov.uk