Senior Social Worker and Discharge Coordinator

The Learning Disability service at Sussex Partnership Trust has an exciting opportunity for a senior Social Worker. It is recognised in Sussex and nationally that people with a Learning Disability remain in hospital despite being ready for discharge. These delays can extend for years in some instances which is wholly unacceptable. This role will be based at the Selden Centre, a specialist Learning Disability inpatient service. The role is to work with people who are inpatients at the Selden Centre and people from Sussex who are placed in inpatient units out of area. As a specialist Social Worker, you will work closely with the patient, their family and/or care provider, the MDT and their care manager from the local authority or all age continuing care (CHC) to enable safe, effective and timely discharge. This role will focus on working with the team around the person to facilitate their safe discharge to a community setting whilst also improving transitions for people from admission to discharge. We are looking for an individual who is committed to improving the quality of life for people with a learning disability, who is self-motivated, dynamic, able to demonstrate a strong sense of initiative and who works well as part of a team. Communication and liaison will be a core component of this role, and you will need to draw upon your experience of how to navigate complex care pathways and systems around people.Main duties of the job The post holder will:

• Liaise with local authority or AACC (CHC) case managers to enable safe and effective discharge from learning disability specialist inpatient settings to community provision
• Provide specialist social work advice in the commissioning of community placements using capable environment profiles developed by Inpatients MDTs/ Local CLDTs / Enhanced and Intensive support teams
• Identify and unblock barriers to delayed discharges and ensure coordination of safe discharges from specialist inpatient provision to community
To advise and offer specialist social work input regarding legal frameworks
• To provide direct Inpatient social work to clients at Selden as part of the mdt as required and in close liaison with Local authority social workers and AACC care managers
• The role will support the ICB and local authority leads in the development and quality of capable environments which contribute to reducing admissions/readmission to specialist inpatient settings at a strategic level.
• To take a lead on identifying and appropriately reporting children and adult safeguarding concerns, liaising with key agencies to gather information
• Attend DSR oversight meetings as required focussing on individuals accessing enhanced CLDT provision
  
  We're a large NHS Mental Health and Learning Disability Trust in South East England. We're looking for people to help us provide high quality services for the patients, carers and local communities we serve.
We want patients and staff to recommend our organisation as a place where they would be happy for their friends and family to be treated. You can help us do this by bringing your skills, experience and commitment to Sussex Partnership.