Social Work Assistant (Enhanced)

37 hours per week

This role is office-based; however, it also offers some agile or remote working

Are you passionate about helping people live independently and achieve the outcomes that matter most to them? We have an exciting opportunity for a Social Work Assistant (Enhanced) to join our Wellbeing & Access Hub Team, supporting adults at the first point of contact with Adult Social Care across the Isle of Wight.

This rewarding role sits within a supportive multidisciplinary team, working closely with Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Outreach Services to help people remain as independent as possible. The focus of the team is to prevent, reduce and delay the need for long-term care by identifying strengths, promoting wellbeing and connecting people with the right support at the right time. This may include arranging short-term reablement services, providing information and advice, and signposting individuals to community and third-sector services that can support them to achieve their goals.

As a Social Work Assistant (Enhanced), you will be part of the front door to Adult Social Care, taking referrals, completing visits and undertaking Care Act Assessments. You will work directly with adults, carers and families to understand their circumstances, identify outcomes that are important to them and develop strength-based plans that promote independence, choice and control. You will be responsible for completing timely assessments and maintaining accurate records in line with departmental policies and procedures.

In this varied role, you will manage a complex caseload and undertake comprehensive assessments, care planning and reviews, ensuring your practice is person-centred, strengths-based and outcome focused. You will work within key legislative frameworks including the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and Human Rights Act, helping people access the right support at the right time while safeguarding those most at risk. Your work will involve responding to urgent situations, undertaking crisis intervention, supporting safeguarding enquiries, and contributing to decisions that ensure resources are used effectively and appropriately.

The role also involves working collaboratively with a range of health and social care partners to ensure people receive coordinated and effective support. You will contribute to safeguarding responsibilities, attend multi-agency meetings, support timely hospital discharges and provide advice and guidance to carers and family members, including undertaking Carers Assessments where appropriate.

As an Enhanced post holder, you will be expected to demonstrate confidence in managing more complex situations, support colleagues through the sharing of knowledge and experience, and contribute positively to service development and continuous improvement. The role also includes participation in the Adult Social Care Out of Hours rota, providing emergency support and responding to urgent situations outside normal working hours on a rotational basis.

If you are an experienced and motivated practitioner with excellent communication, assessment and decision-making skills, and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for adults and carers, we would love to hear from you. Join our team and help make a positive and lasting difference to the lives of people across the Isle of Wight.

Join #TeamIWC and you'll receive our staff benefits package, including:

• Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays!
• Local Government pension scheme
• Discounted Solent ferry travel
• Island bus network discount
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff parking permit scheme
• Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership
• National and local discounts & benefits schemes
• Relocation scheme of up to £8,000 may be available for some roles (subject to criteria)
• Travel allowance may be available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria)

To discover more about our careers please visit Jobs and careers - Isle of Wight

Find out more about Our culture and environment & living on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight Council currently does not have a license to sponsor overseas workers.

We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees. We are an equal opportunities employer, proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community.

We are a Disability Confident employer. Along with a number of commitments, this means, providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.

The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination, and this is supported by;

unacceptable behaviour policy

employee code of conduct

The Isle of Wight Council’s Terms & Conditions of employment are available upon request. Please contact our recruitment team via adverts@iow.gov.uk if you would like to receive a copy.

The Isle of Wight Council reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than stated, if required. To ensure your application is considered, it is recommended to submit your application promptly.

Please note, appointment to a regulated role will require you to provide additional personal details, including full employment history, referee information, and consent for any required safeguarding checks, as part of the Council’s commitment to safer recruitment and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Out of Hours Standby and Call Out. You may be asked to provide support in exceptional circumstances, outside of usual business hours. Unless stated otherwise in the job summary for the role this is not part of the department’s usual standby arrangements.

For support completing your online application or for further information on how to apply, phone 01983 823134 or email callcentre@iow.gov.uk Only applications submitted online by the closing date will be accepted.

We often receive a high volume of applicants for our vacancies. If you do not hear from the recruiting manager within three weeks of the closing date, we regret that your application will not have been successful on this occasion. Please revisit our job page for alternate posts that may be suitable.