Job Title: Mental Health Social Worker
Location: West Sussex
Payrate: either £35 per hour plus £150 per week expenses or £38 per hour
Contract: Full-time, Locum
Department: Adult Social Care & Mental Health Services

About the Role:
West Sussex County Council is looking for a dedicated and compassionate Mental Health Social Worker to join our team. In this role, you will work with adults experiencing mental health challenges, providing specialist support to promote recovery, independence, and well-being. You will work within a multi-disciplinary team, collaborating with health professionals, voluntary organisations, and service users to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced social worker who is passionate about mental health and committed to empowering individuals to achieve their goals.

Key Responsibilities:

* Carry out assessments of need, risk, and capacity for individuals experiencing mental health issues.

* Develop and implement care and support plans that focus on recovery and social inclusion.

* Work in partnership with individuals, families, and carers, ensuring they are fully involved in decisions about their care.

* Undertake safeguarding work to protect vulnerable adults and manage complex cases where mental health is a significant factor.

* Provide advice and guidance to service users about their rights and entitlements under the Care Act 2014, Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended), and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

* Work closely with health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and community mental health teams, to ensure coordinated care.

* Prepare reports and attend Mental Health Tribunals, Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings, and other case conferences as required.

* Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records in line with statutory and departmental requirements.

Essential Requirements:

* Degree in Social Work (or equivalent qualification).

* Registered with Social Work England.

* Experience working with individuals with mental health needs, including conducting assessments and managing complex cases.

* Knowledge of mental health legislation, including the Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005, and safeguarding procedures.

* Excellent communication, assessment, and decision-making skills.

* Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and liaise effectively with partner agencies.

* Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for community visits