Employer: Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Job Title: Social Worker
Location: United Kingdom
Salary: £40,617 to £48,778 per annum
Job Type: Full-time
Closing Date: 26 December 2025
Job Overview
All Social Workers must be registered with Social Work England.
The Enhanced Primary Mental Health Service (EPMHS) provides a multidisciplinary service to individuals with moderate and severe mental health difficulties in primary care. There is a focus on psychological provision for those who do not meet criteria for Adult Community Mental Health Services or NHS Talking Therapies Teams.
Service users present with multiple social stressors, and Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Social Worker to develop this role and take the lead in working directly with individuals with more complex difficulties. The role includes providing supervision to support staff delivering social care to service users and offering advice to the wider multidisciplinary team on social care matters.
As a Social Worker, the postholder will work as part of the multidisciplinary team, delivering high-quality social care services to adults of all ages experiencing mental ill-health. Core functions include assessment, care planning and interventions from a social perspective, including care coordination where required. The role delivers recovery-focused care and support based on choice, control and independence, while ensuring safety and acting as a champion of social care and safeguarding within the locality.
Main Duties of the Role
The postholder will assess needs and outcomes and analyse a wide range of information relating to service users and carers. Complex information will be analysed and recommendations made with professional accountability. Service users and carers will be involved to enable learning from lived experiences.
The postholder may be required to undertake surveys and audits within the locality and contribute to Trust-wide surveys when required. A key responsibility includes providing social care assessments and commissioned packages of care, ensuring statutory social care functions under the Care Act 2014 are met.
About Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is one of only five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ from the Care Quality Commission.
With over 4,000 staff members, the Trust provides health and social care services for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk. Services are delivered within community settings and inpatient environments.
Care delivery is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with Trust values embedded throughout:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
Job Responsibilities
Key Relationships
The postholder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team and in partnership with service users, carers and a wide range of stakeholders inside and outside the Trust. The role requires demonstration of dignity, respect, personalisation, choice and control. The postholder acts as a champion and expert in social care and safeguarding, ensuring high-quality practice across the service.
Duties and Responsibilities
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Champion social care with a comprehensive understanding of legislation and statutory guidance
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Lead adult safeguarding practice, undertaking safeguarding enquiries and contributing to care plans protecting adults and children
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Undertake comprehensive assessments and reviews for individuals with high risk or complex needs in line with the Care Act 2014
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Provide direct support and advice to service users, carers and colleagues, including appropriate signposting
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Ensure appropriate commissioning of health and social care services, including direct payments and charging processes where applicable
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Contribute to EPMHS core tasks including Dialog+ First Conversations
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Ensure commissioned services promote choice and community-based support
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Undertake regular risk assessments to safeguard vulnerable individuals
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Undertake carer assessments, contingency planning and support provision
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Develop and facilitate recovery-focused community services through partnership working
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Ensure service user and carer involvement to support service improvement
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Maintain accurate and up-to-date computer records
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Undertake post-qualifying and ongoing training to maintain Social Work England registration
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Provide management and reflective supervision to newly qualified social workers and unregistered staff
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Support newly qualified social workers through the ASYE programme
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Undertake duties as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or undertake AMHP training
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Participate in regular supervision and reflective practice
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Undertake delegated social care responsibilities on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council
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Adhere to Trust policies and procedures
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Undertake additional training as required
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Carry out other duties as identified by the line manager
Person Specification
Qualifications, Education and Training
Essential
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Appropriate professional social work qualification
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Degree-level education
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Registration with Social Work England
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Training in outcomes-focused assessments and personalisation
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Relevant post-qualifying training
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Approved Mental Health Professional / Best Interests Assessment training
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Safeguarding training and experience
Knowledge, Training and Experience
Essential
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Minimum of two years post-qualification experience
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Knowledge of relevant legislation, theory and policy
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Experience of assessment, care planning, personalisation, choice and control
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Experience of personal budgets and direct payments
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Multidisciplinary and partnership working experience
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Experience working with service users and carers with dignity and respect
Desirable
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Experience as an AMHP or Best Interests Assessor
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Experience in integrated health and social care environments
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from candidates requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Criminal record checks are required for overseas applicants in line with UK Visas and Immigration guidance.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Further information is available via the NHS Careers website.
How to Apply
If you’re interested in this role, visit the official website for more information — click here to apply now.