ASW - Social Work Officer PO1
Haringey Council
Who You Are
The Social Work Officer (SWO) is an essential member of the Hospital Discharge Team, providing key support in the safe, effective, and prompt discharge of adults from hospital settings. You are expected to work closely with qualified Social Workers and Team Managers, participating in a range of Care Act-related actions, Mental Capacity Act work, and protective actions. Your contributions to discharge planning and coordination greatly enhance outcomes for residents and reduce hospital wait times.
What the Job Involves
As a Social Work Officer, your responsibility involves providing crucial operational support across different hospital pathways, such as emergency and planned discharges. You are expected to work in tandem with an array of multidisciplinary partners, including health professionals, community providers, housing services, carers, and patients' families for effective discharge plans. You will also support the Hospital Discharge Team's advanced discharge model, dealing with cases of low to moderate complexity. By handling the non-complex cases, you allow qualified Social Workers to concentrate on higher-risk, complex and statutory interventions.
Skills
- Able to support the discharge planning process for adults needing social care intervention after a hospital admission.
- Ability to conduct non-complex Care Act assessments, reviews, reassessments, and support planning activities under proper supervision.
- Capacity to gather, record and analyse data to support Social Workers.
- Familiarity with referrals and coordinating services, such as home care, residential and nursing placements.
- Aptitude in assisting with safeguarding enquiries under the supervision of qualified practitioners.
- Proficiency in maintaining accurate, timely, and auditable electronic records in compliance with legislative and organisational demands.
- Competence in supporting hospital flow initiatives, including same-day discharge and admission avoidance pathways.
- Ability to work cohesively across health and social care systems.