We have an exciting opportunity for a Social Care Practitioner to join our highly successful Hospital Discharge Team on a full time, permanent basis.

As the Social Care Practitioner, you will work within an established and committed multi- professional statutory team undertaking assessments for people in acute or community hospitals who require assistance upon discharge, focusing on a “home first” basis and reablement opportunities to empower people to achieve all that they wish to achieve for a good life.  You will be working alongside our colleagues in health and be able to develop a multi-agency seamless approach.

The team assesses- eligibility for Social Care services in line with the Care Act (2014) and involves meeting immediate need to manage risk to ensure people are not delayed in a hospital setting when they no longer require this.

The team also provides a service for adults with a broad range of needs, predominately people with physical disabilities, older people and people with dementia and a small number of people with a learning disability. It also involves safeguarding and completing Carers Assessments, providing information, advice, and support.

Benefits:

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including, ongoing support and guidance, a structured induction programme, generous annual leave of 27 days (rising to 32 after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank holidays, a local government pension scheme, local and big brand discounts, an Employee Assistance programme, salary sacrifice car scheme, cycle to work scheme, onsite gym and much more!

Key responsibilities:

• To assess and discharge customers from hospital with an emphasis on preventing delayed discharges and working to facilitate safe and timely discharges from hospital.
• To investigate referred cases for discharge from acute and community hospitals assess the needs of individuals and decide, with regard to the level of risk, how to meet the identified needs within agreed eligibility criteria.  Assessments will be carried out in collaboration with a range of other care workers/clinicians, working under relevant legal frameworks, guidance, policies and procedures.
• To assess the needs of carers alongside or independently of the assessment for the cared-for person and set a personal budget for the carer for any eligible needs/outcomes.
• To be responsible for a personal list of casework and provide information, advice, and advocacy according to professional expertise for service users and carers.  This is likely at times to involve dealing with complex and high risk situations. To work in a Strength Based Approach within your practice.
• To identify and/or investigate any incidence of potential abuse or neglect of vulnerable individuals and contribute to development and implementation of protection plans which maintain their safety within the multi-agency safeguarding adults procedures.
• To assist on duty within the team on a rota basis

If you like a fast pace of work with a high level of challenge along with a high level of support, this is the role for you, no two days are ever the same in this exciting role.  You will be given the appropriate training and support to undertake this role. You will be based at Shute End in Wokingham, alongside working virtually and will have regular visits to the acute and community hospitals.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop and advance to a Grade 6 after a period of time in post if all progression criteria have been met.

Candidate requirements:

• You will need to be flexible and be able to prioritise and manage your time effectively.
• A car driver is essential as we cover a rural as well as urban area and there is very limited public transport.
• Experience of working in a health or social care setting/ or in a customer facing role
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills – including ability to engage with individuals with a diverse range of communication needs
• Ability to relate to individuals from a diverse range of social, economic, and cultural backgrounds

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. 

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life. 

Please contact Jan Ledbrook, Team Manager for an informal discussion on 0118 9746863.

Closing Date – Sunday 29th September 2024, 11pm
Interview Date – 11th October 2024

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.