Hospital Social Worker
Job Description
Job summary
Role Context
The Hospital Social Worker operates within a fast-paced acute setting, working as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team to support patient flow and deliver effective discharge planning. The role is situated at the interface between health and social care, requiring close collaboration with NHS colleagues, Reablement and Intermediate Support services, community providers, and local authority teams to ensure seamless transitions of care. The post holder works with adults who often present with complex needs, including frailty, disability, mental health concerns, and safeguarding risks. The service is focused on achieving timely, safe discharges through a strengths-based, discharge-to-assess approach, with an emphasis on promoting independence, reducing hospital length of stay, and ensuring appropriate longer-term support is arranged where required.
Main duties of the job
Main Accountabilities
The post holder is responsible for delivering high-quality, person-centred social work within the hospital setting, supporting timely and safe discharges or D2A in line with statutory duties and local policies. This includes undertaking comprehensive assessments of need, risk, and capacity; developing and reviewing care and support plans; and working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, patients, families, and partner agencies. The role requires effective coordination of discharge pathways, safeguarding responsibilities, and application of relevant legislation such as the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and safeguarding frameworks. The post holder will ensure accurate recording, advocate for patient rights and wellbeing, and contribute to service improvement and performance targets, including reducing delayed transfers of care.
Main Purpose of the Role
Hospital Discharge and Care Planning Demonstrate good social work practice within the hospital discharge process, ensuring timely and safe transitions through the Discharge to Assess (D2A) pathway. Coordinate strengths-based assessments and care planning, considering needs and risks for adults, carers, and families. Support the team in fulfilling safeguarding duties under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014. Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration Positive liaison within the hospital setting, working closely with health professionals, discharge coordinators, and other agencies to facilitate integrated care planning and problem-solving for complex cases. Specialist Knowledge and Compliance Maintain and apply knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, Continuing Health Care policies, and safeguarding best practice. Safeguarding Demonstrate knowledge sound knowledge of legislations. Safeguarding duty is part of the role. Keep our residents safe.
About us
As part of Slough Borough Council, you will join an organisation focused on improving outcomes for residents, communities and the local environment. Our Community Team for People with Learning Disabilities works collaboratively with residents, carers, families, colleagues and partner organisations to provide high-quality, person-centred support. The team is committed to strengths-based practice, professional curiosity and making a positive difference in peoples lives.
You will be part of a friendly, supportive and inclusive working environment where colleagues share knowledge, work together and take pride in delivering services that matter. We value a strong work ethic built on compassion, accountability, innovation and respect. Staff are encouraged to contribute ideas, learn from one another and play an active role in helping the Council move forward together.
Working with us offers the opportunity to develop your career while being supported to balance work and personal commitments. Alongside a competitive salary, employees benefit from flexible and hybrid working arrangements, annual leave entitlement, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, wellbeing initiatives, employee networks and opportunities to contribute to meaningful change for the people of Slough.
Job responsibilities
- Directorate: Adult Services (Social Care)
- Pay Level: 7 £41,873 to £47,238 (fully inclusive of Local Weighting Allowance)
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Working Hours: 37 Hours
- Location: Hybrid- Observatory House/ Wexham Park Hospital
- DBS requirement: Enhanced
The closing date for applications is midnight on 31st July 2026
Interviews will be held in the week commencing 10th August 2026
What you'll be doing:
We're looking for a dedicated and skilled Social Worker to join our Hospital Team.
Are you a confident, compassionate and forward-thinking Social Worker who thrives in a fast-paced hospital environment? This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic adult social care service where your professional judgement, advocacy and partnership-working will make a real difference to people at a critical point in their lives.
As a Hospital Social Worker, you will play a vital role in supporting safe, timely and person-centred discharges, helping adults and their carers move from hospital into the right support at the right time. Working at the heart of the discharge-to-assess pathway, you will bring together strengths-based practice, robust assessment, safeguarding expertise and creative problem-solving to promote independence and improve outcomes.
You'll have experience in strengths-based practice, working in a fast-paced, pressured environment, through the Discharge to Assess (D2A) pathway. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong assessment and care planning skills, an understanding of funding streams, and the ability to collaborate effectively within a multi-disciplinary team. The ideal candidate will have a clear understanding of statutory duties, relevant legal frameworks, and funding streams to ensure safe, timely, and cost-effective care planning.
If you're passionate about delivering person-centred outcomes and making a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.
Our Council:
Our vision is to make a difference to our communities and our environment, and we would love you to join us in our mission! All of our employees, whatever their job, contribute to delivering services to local people - either directly or by supporting colleagues. We celebrate diversity and are continuously striving for our residents to enjoy fulfilling, prosperous, and healthy lives.
What we offer:
We offer a supportive place to grow and develop your career with a real opportunity for your input to be valued and heard. Ambition and innovation will be required now more than ever, and you will join a friendly and collaborative environment where you are encouraged to thrive.
We understand that everyone has different needs and circumstances. That's why we're committed to offering flexible and hybrid working arrangements that help you achieve the best work-life balance and accommodate different working patterns. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We select staff on merit and foster a workforce where people are valued and represent the local communities we serve.
Annual increments, where applicable, are usually payable on 1st April each year, subject to six months service in the post, until the maximum spinal column point of the level has been reached. The payment of annual increments is not automatic and is subject to satisfactory performance as assessed by your director.
Alongside a competitive salary, we provide:
- 26 days annual leave (not including Bank holidays), rising to 30 days between 2 - 5 years' service and 33 days after 5 years' service.
- The Local Government Pension Scheme
- Ability to engage with wellbeing initiatives and the opportunity to be a member of our various employee networks, which are key to ensuring we celebrate and promote equality.
- Tax-free childcare and childcare services
- Season loan ticket - to help with the cost of your rail / bus journey to and from work.
Accessibility and Support:
Slough Borough Council is an inclusive employer. We are keen to support you to feel comfortable throughout the application and interview process. Therefore, if you require any support throughout the application process or reasonable adjustments for the interview (e.g. questions being printed on the day or consideration for layout or lighting for the interview room), please contact our Recruitment Team who will be able to assist: [email protected].
This information will be treated confidentially and used solely to ensure we provide appropriate support throughout the recruitment process and beyond.
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