Futures- Advanced Social Worker

Review: Futures+ Advanced Social Worker Opportunity with East Riding of Yorkshire Council

This review provides an in-depth look at the Futures+ Advanced Social Worker position within the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. We aim to equip potential candidates with a clear understanding of the role, its advantages, and key considerations to inform their career progression.

About the Role and Team:

Futures+ is a specialist adult service dedicated to supporting individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism who present with high acuity and complex needs. The team operates across two key hubs: the Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) Hub and the Community Inclusion Hub. This collaborative structure allows for a holistic approach to care and support, working alongside a diverse group of professionals including Enabling and Transitioning Officers, Independence and Wellbeing Officers, Technical Assistants, an Autism Engagement Officer, and a Co-production Lead. The core mission of Futures+ is to conduct thorough assessments of care and support needs and to co-produce tailored packages that champion independence, wellbeing, and social inclusion for service users.

The team, based at County Hall in Beverley, is characterized by its friendly, caring, and highly supportive environment. With a wealth of experience and expertise, Futures+ fosters a culture of collaboration, celebrates achievements, and provides mutual support through challenges. Their strong values and unwavering commitment are directed towards securing the best possible outcomes for their service users.

Key Responsibilities and Expectations:

As an Advanced Social Worker, you will be instrumental in managing some of the most complex cases within the service. A significant aspect of the role involves participating in a duty rota, typically a few days each month, where you will handle urgent enquiries and requests from the public and other professionals. This duty requires a commitment to working from the office. A core responsibility will be undertaking Section 42 enquiries under the Care Act 2014, adhering strictly to the principles of Making Safeguarding Personal.

Furthermore, the role encompasses providing crucial supervision and support to Enabling and Transitioning Officers. As an Advanced Social Worker, there is an expectation to step up and support Senior Social Workers in various related tasks, offering a valuable opportunity for leadership development.

While the role primarily operates within standard office hours, there may be occasional requirements to work outside these hours, depending on service needs.

Advantages for Potential Candidates:

• Specialist Expertise: This is an exceptional opportunity to deepen your expertise in working with individuals with high acuity and complex needs within the learning disability and autism spectrum.
• Collaborative Environment: Join a genuinely friendly, caring, and highly supportive team that values collaboration and mutual support.
• Professional Development: Futures+ is committed to your growth, offering regular professional supervision and access to high-quality training and development opportunities. This role provides a clear pathway to enhance your skills and follow your professional interests.
• Impactful Work: You will be at the forefront of making a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals, promoting their independence, wellbeing, and inclusion.
• Career Progression: The expectation to support Senior Social Workers offers a direct route for career advancement and leadership experience within the service.
• Work-Life Balance: The service considers hybrid working arrangements, demonstrating a commitment to supporting colleagues in achieving a better work-life balance and flexibility.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

• Complex Caseloads: Be prepared to manage and work with some of the most challenging and complex cases, requiring strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Legal and Policy Knowledge: A robust understanding of key legislation, including the Care Act 2014, Children and Families Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Human Rights Act 1998, and Equality Act 2010, is essential.
• Assessment and Reporting Skills: Strong experience in conducting Care Act assessments, MCA & Best Interest assessments, DOLs, and CHC checklists, coupled with excellent analytical and report writing skills, is a prerequisite.
• Person-Centred and Strengths-Based Approaches: A solid grasp and practical application of person-centred and strengths-based approaches are fundamental to this role.
• Multi-Agency Working: Proven experience in effective multi-agency collaboration and partnership working is vital for success.
• Duty System: Be aware of the requirement to participate in a duty rota, which will necessitate coming into the office for those days.
• Flexibility: Occasional work outside of standard office hours may be required.

For experienced, compassionate, and committed Social Workers seeking to join a dynamic and supportive team that values professional growth and impactful work, this Advanced Social Worker position within Futures+ presents a compelling opportunity. It offers a chance to develop your skills, take on leadership responsibilities, and contribute significantly to the wellbeing of a diverse service user group.