Mental Health Discharge Social Worker

Medway Council is committed to delivering high‑quality Adult Social Care that improves outcomes for local people. We are looking for a Social Worker (SW2) to carry out a dedicated role as a Mental Health Discharge Social Worker, supporting adults to leave hospital safely and rebuild their lives in the community.

This role is ideal for an experienced social worker who can work independently with complex cases, apply legislation confidently and deliver strengths‑based, person‑centred practice.

About the Role

As an SW2 Social Worker, you will hold a varied and complex caseload of adults with mental health needs who are preparing for discharge from inpatient settings. You will work within a multidisciplinary environment and take professional responsibility for assessment, support planning, risk management and review.

You will contribute to timely, effective hospital discharge while promoting independence, recovery and choice, in line with Care Act principles and Medway’s strengths‑based approach.

Key Responsibilities

In line with the SW2 Adults Job Family Profile, you will:

• Manage a complex caseload of adults with mental health needs, exercising professional judgement and accountability
• Complete Care Act 2014 assessments, support plans and reviews that are outcome‑focused and proportionate
• Contribute to discharge planning from mental health inpatient services, ensuring appropriate care and accommodation are in place
• Apply relevant legislation including the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and Mental Health Act (where appropriate)
• Identify and manage risk, including adult safeguarding, and contribute to multi‑agency risk management plans
• Work collaboratively with NHS colleagues, housing providers, carers and community services
• Maintain accurate, timely and high‑quality case records in accordance with Medway Council policies
• Participate fully in supervision, team meetings and service development activity

About You

You will be:

• A qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England
• An experienced practitioner able to work with complex needs and risk
• Confident in applying legislation, policy and professional judgement
• Able to work autonomously while contributing to team and multi‑disciplinary decision‑making
• Committed to strengths‑based, anti‑oppressive and person‑centred practice

Experience of mental health social work and hospital discharge is desirable, but we welcome applicants with transferable Adult Social Care experience.

What Medway Council Offers

• Regular, high‑quality professional supervision in line with SW2 expectations
• Access to training and development aligned to the Adult Social Care progression framework
• Opportunities to develop specialist mental health knowledge and skills
• Flexible and agile working arrangements where service needs allow
• Generous annual leave and membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme

How to Apply

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Martina Gilligan on 01634 333285.

Closing date: 28/06/2026
Interview date: 06-07/07/2026

In return we will offer you:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Generous local government pension scheme package
• Access to wider training and development qualifications
• Flexible working scheme
• Travel plan discounts
• Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service
• Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers

Career Progression Framework

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:

Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.

You can demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills to allow you to perform within this role. You will identify, through application, how you meet the elements detailed within the person specification, at either Level A, B or C. You will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

Our organisation

Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.

Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.

We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.

Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.

Important Information

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile
• Medway Council is not able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, so candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK.
• If you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted.
• We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement

Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age

For further information please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.

All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email, if you require documentation/correspondence in different format such as braille or large print, please contact the Resourcing Team on 01634 332878.