Social Worker - Health Interface Service (Yeovil District Hospital) (Adults)

Salary: Starting at £38,510 rising annually to £43,149 per annum

Contract: Permanent

We may consider Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for suitably qualified overseas social workers who are already residing in the UK. Applicants must hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England. Sponsorship will be assessed as part of the recruitment process. We are unable to recruit directly from overseas or provide resettlement support.

Hospital social work offers purpose, pace, professional challenge and the opportunity to make a difference when it matters most. Working at the heart of the hospital environment, you will support people and families during some of the most important moments of their lives.

The Hospital Interface Service (HIS) supports people throughout their hospital journey, from admission avoidance and assessment through to discharge planning and recovery. You will work onsite at Musgrove Park Hospital alongside health colleagues, helping adults and carers make informed choices, maintain independence and achieve safe, timely outcomes.

This specialist area of practice brings together professional curiosity, strengths-based assessment, complex decision-making and close multidisciplinary working.

Hospital social work is fast-paced, visible and professionally demanding. You will balance risk, rights, independence and timely decision-making, often while supporting people and families at pivotal moments. At the heart of our approach is hopeful social work, challenging pessimism and focusing on strengths, possibilities and what matters to the person. We continually ask one key question:

• Undertake strengths-based assessments of risk, independence, care and support needs, ensuring adults are protected from significant harm.
• Manage a varied caseload and respond to referrals, crises and changing circumstances with sound professional judgement.
• Work alongside health colleagues and partner agencies to support admission avoidance, hospital stays and safe, timely discharge planning.
• Complete carers' assessments, care and support planning, reviews, reports and accurate case records in line with legislation and policy.
• Build effective relationships with adults, carers, families, health teams, housing, police, voluntary organisations and other partners.
• Contribute to multi-agency decision-making, team learning, service development and ongoing professional improvement.

Hours: 37 hours per week

• This is a hospital-based role and you will be expected to work onsite at Musgrove Park Hospital.
• The role includes rotational Saturday working, typically one Saturday every 4 to 6 weeks, although this may vary according to service need and staffing levels.
• Regular travel across Somerset may be required, including to locations not well served by public transport.
• Applicants must have access to a vehicle for work purposes. We welcome conversations about reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants.

You will be joining HIS at an important point in its development, with the opportunity to contribute your experience and ideas as we strengthen the service and improve clarity, consistency and connection.

At Somerset Council, we are a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. This role offers meaningful work, close multidisciplinary collaboration and the chance to develop your hospital social work practice while helping people return safely to the lives that matter most to them.

• 30 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Ongoing learning, professional development, coaching and career support.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference inside and outside of work.
• The opportunity to contribute to the continued development and improvement of HIS.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/

• This role requires a criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
• If you currently work for Somerset Council, please apply through the internal SuccessFactors careers page.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Helen Readdy, Recruitmentn & Engagement Lead via email: Helen.Readdy@somerset.gov.uk