Southwork Council |Social Worker| Move On Support Team
Our Adult Social Care - Move On Support Team is looking for a passionate and dedicated Social Worker to join our innovative service and help transform lives today.
About the Role:
As a Social Worker in the Move On Support Team (MOST), you'll provide targeted social work support to adults with complex mental health needs living in or moving on from supported accommodation, residential care, and secure settings.
You will undertake person-centred, strengths-based assessments, with a focus on recovery, independence, and reducing long-term dependence on high-support placements. Whether facilitating a step-down into independent living or reviewing existing arrangements to ensure they are fit for purpose, your work will support individuals to make informed choices about their accommodation, care, and future.
You'll also collaborate closely with health partners, support providers, and housing services to promote stability, inclusion, and positive mental health outcomes.
We would expect you to have:
1.Professional Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
2.Up to date knowledge of mental health and social care policy, legislation and current developments and initiatives.
3.Knowledge of wellbeing principles, strength based practice and person centred approaches.
4.Knowledge and awareness of current issues in social care including the contexts experienced by service users due to disadvantage, discrimination and vulnerability.
5.Knowledge of the issues experienced by service users in mental health accommodation.
6.Knowledge of adult safeguarding and risk assessment/management and supporting staff to do the same.
Experience
7.Experience of working with service users with complex needs using strengths based and person centred models that promote independence.
8.Experience of assessing and reviewing needs to ensure that service users are placed in the most suitable accommodation.
9.Experience of collaborative working with a variety of professions, agencies and providers.
10.Experience of working with people in forensic pathways who have mental health needs or dual diagnosis.
12.Able to work independently as well as part of a team. to prioritise workload and tasks according to demand and timescales.
13.Ability to explore, formulate and implement effective assessments and interventions that support independence and are strengths based.
14.Ability to understand and use the supervisory process and reflective practice.
15.Ability to contribute and implement the Council's commitments to equality, diversity and inclusion.
About You:
We're looking for a compassionate, driven professional with a deep commitment to empowering vulnerable adults. You bring:
- Qualified Social Worker status with current Social Work England registration.
- Experience supporting adults with mental health needs, including those in supported or residential care.
- Strong understanding of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and safeguarding legislation.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to manage and analyse complex information.
- Experience of working collaboratively in multi-agency environments.
- The ability to balance creativity with compliance in supporting step-down and move-on planning.
- A commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and promoting human rights, equality, and independence.
- Confidence using digital systems to record casework and manage data effectively.
About the Team:
The Move On Support Team (MOST) is a specialist service within Southwark's Adult Social Care division. Our team is focused on ensuring people are placed in the most appropriate setting for their needs-maximising independence, choice, and value for money.
We assess, review, and support people in mental health placements both within and outside the borough, including secure hospitals and forensic settings. We actively promote step-down into lower-support or independent settings using personalised, strengths-based approaches.
You'll join a cohesive, supportive team with senior visibility, reflective supervision, and regular professional development. We foster a culture of learning and innovation, giving you the tools, flexibility, and support you need to make a real impact.
Caritas Recruitment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.
