Key Tasks: To promote equality as an integral part of the role and treat everyone with fairness and dignity. To identify vulnerable people at risk of abuse and initiate safeguarding processes where appropriate. To promote, enable and empower individuals, families and carers through representation of rights; advocacy; supporting patients and families to make informed choices about complex life decisions. To facilitate and support patients and their families to undertake shared self-assessments and reviews to identify needs and outcomes. Undertaking assessment of need considering current support systems and including potential risks, for example Mental Capacity Act, continuing care and safeguarding issues. Support patients and their families in the development of support plans using a person-centred approach in liaison with statutory and non-statutory / voluntary agencies. Through using the wide range of tools and options available to support the service user in determining their own outcomes and how they could be met. Enable patients choice and empowerment through promoting independence as far as possible. Using knowledge and skills, to promote quality of life, through the application of the principles of the personalisation agenda, such as support planning and risk enablement. To facilitate patients/carers in the identification of services within the community and purchasing of services on their behalf to meet both their short term and long-term needs. To ensure a high level of data quality for all information recorded, ensuring that the information is timely, accurate and complete. To maintain and contribute to the development of relevant records and statistical data upholding information governance. To hold a caseload of a level of complexity and provide case management, guidance, support and expert advice to the multi-disciplinary team as and when required. To assess and manage risk to individuals, families, carers, groups, communities, self and colleagues. Understand and respond to ethnic, cultural and religious influences of the patient and family / carers / friends. Encourage, develop and maintain effective working relationships with service colleagues and those in a wide range of partner agencies and services, locally and nationally. To work as a member of multi-disciplinary teams providing expert opinions on the issues around the Care Act (2014) and Social Care To present patients at multidisciplinary meetings from individual caseload and where required on behalf of the team. To negotiate with a range of local authority services, community health care teams, local service providers, voluntary organisations and agencies to meet the needs of patients being discharged from the Mountbatten In-Patient Unit To consult and work effectively with other professionals to identify and meet patient / carers needs, positively contributing to the achievement of joint working practices. Have a good working knowledge of the Continuing Health Care process and eligibility criteria to support discharge planning. Promote multi-disciplinary working partnerships, sometimes acting as a liaison between the Council and other health and social care partners. To carry out assessment and discharge planning in accordance with the Care Act (2014) with patients admitted to Mountbatten IPU unit and source continuing care and support, working closely with Hampshire and Southampton. Professional Registration and Standards Keep up to date with training and personal development to ensure professional registration with the Social Work England must be maintained. Take responsibility for ensuring professional practice is delivered within the boundaries of the Codes of Practice for Social Workers. Keep up to date with relevant legislation or changes in social policy that impact on social work practice. To manage and prioritise workloads carrying out all duties using accountable professional judgment and knowledge base on social work practices. Audit, Research and Education Provide learning opportunities for student social workers. Participate in education and provide advice to, for example, social work and health colleagues. Adopt a reflective approach from personal practice and learn from experience Act as educational resource To have a clear understanding and working knowledge of both adult and childrens safeguarding policies and procedures. To research and maintain a knowledge base of what resources are available at a local and national level to inform decision making processes. To actively participate in the development of bespoke educational programmes of teaching to the MDT and external courses as required to bereavement and loss, safeguarding and social care. To be aware and keep updated on changes at national, regional, and local legislation, theories, policies and practices in order to disseminate knowledge throughout the team and contribute to the delivery of a high standard of service. To lead on and participate in service improvement projects as required. To engage in audit, evaluation and research as required. To monitor own performance against agreed objectives through Mountbatten's appraisal systems. To provide training as part of the training programme for staff and volunteers including safeguarding and mental capacity/DOLS Communication Effectively communicate with patients, carers, nursing staff, allied health professionals, volunteers, the wider multi-professional team, community and hospital teams and other primary care services. To demonstrate advanced communication skills in order that complex and emotionally sensitive situation are managed in an appropriate way. Respond to feedback as appropriate from patients, families, carers and colleagues Ensure effective record keeping and documentation. Promote an open and honest culture