Location
London Borough of Croydon

Hours
36 hours per week

Salary
Grade 10 £43,680 - £45,750 per annum plus fantastic benefits

About the Role
Working within the Central Locality Team Adults, this role focuses on prevention and early intervention using a whole family, strengths-based, community-led support approach. You will work alongside residents and their families to maximise life chances and outcomes by holding meaningful conversations in community settings where people feel most at ease. Using the Community Led Support resource wheel and other person-centred tools, you will help people identify their strengths and those of their families, friends, and communities, connecting them to support networks that promote a good life.

You will co-create support plans that enhance individual strengths and ambitions. For those with eligible care and support needs under the Care Act 2014 requiring statutory or paid support, you will help arrange this in ways that build on personal and community strengths.

The role involves working closely with a wide range of external contacts including families, carers, voluntary and community organisations, independent service providers, health professionals, partner organisations, and statutory bodies. Internally, you will collaborate with various council departments such as Gateway and Housing, commissioning and procurement, safeguarding adults service, and integrated teams.

Financial responsibilities include ensuring people understand social care charging processes, supporting financial assessments, advising on welfare benefits, and encouraging uptake of direct payments. You will prepare written plans for paid support and participate in peer forums making funding decisions, working within governance arrangements.

Key decision-making areas include holding asset-based, person-centred conversations, co-producing support plans, managing risk, safeguarding adults, responding to emergencies, undertaking statutory assessments under relevant legislation, and preparing court reports when required.

The role requires the ability to travel independently to undertake home visits and work in community settings, with flexibility to attend occasional meetings outside normal office hours. A valid driving licence is desirable to use a car for work or the council’s Zipcar scheme, except for social workers based at Croydon University Hospital.

Croydon Council is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, promoting a respectful and supportive working environment. The successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check if required.

Experience
- Awareness of strengths-based, person-centred approaches to social work and social care
- Knowledge of needs, assets, risks, and issues relating to adults with social care needs and their carers
- Working knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, codes of practice, and guidance
- Understanding of benefits and welfare systems
- Experience with adult protection and safeguarding issues
- Knowledge of mental capacity assessments and best interest decision making
- Familiarity with evidence-based practice within safeguarding settings
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse communities and promote anti-discriminatory practice

About You
- Committed to promoting equality and diversity in your work
- Able to work flexibly including occasional meetings outside normal hours
- Able to travel independently for home visits and community work
- Motivated to work in a strengths-based, person-centred way
- Willing to engage with continuous professional development and training

Qualifications
- Social Work qualification recognised by and registered with Social Work England (SWE)
- Best Interest Assessor qualification or willingness to undertake training