Adult’s Social Worker / Shared Lives Scheme

Adult’s Social Worker
Team: Shared Lives
Location: Tameside

Details:
We are recruiting to the following posts for a time-specific project being undertaken by the Shared Lives scheme.

1 x 12 month project worker and

1 x 6 month project worker

They will work 36 hours a week, with access to our flex system

also requires the person to drive as part of their role

We are seeking a proactive, experienced, and highly organised Agency Social Worker to join the Shared Lives Scheme on a project-specific basis. While the postholder will be based within the Shared Lives team, the role will function in a commissioning-style capacity—representing locality priorities and ensuring strategic alignment across several key projects. These projects are designed to deliver service improvements across financial arrangements, legal agreements, operational processes, and overall service delivery within the scheme.
The role will involve progressing a range of complex tasks, including Care Act reassessments, reviewing Shared Lives placement agreements and licence arrangements, supporting benefit entitlement and capacity assessments, and working closely with finance, commissioning and governance teams to implement structural changes. The postholder will play a lead role in embedding new frameworks such as banding models, updated fee structures, and policy refinements that reflect both local needs and wider service aspirations.
This is a fast-paced, outcomes-driven role requiring strong project management skills, the ability to work independently, and confidence in navigating between operational delivery and strategic development. The ideal candidate will have a solid foundation in adult social care, a good understanding of welfare benefits and legal frameworks, and a track record of delivering service improvements across multi-agency settings.

Main Duties and Responsibilities include:
This list is not exhaustive, and is an indicator of the key duties and responsibilities that the post holder will have, as opposed to a task list.

• Assessment & Support Planning To complete up-to-date Care Act Assessments and Support Plan Reassessments for Shared Lives service users in accordance with the personalisation agenda and ensure their needs remain paramount. Support plans must clearly outline positive goals and outcomes, linking to Shared Lives assessments. The postholder will also ensure that all service users are assessed for eligibility for Universal Credit and other relevant benefits, and where appropriate, complete Financial Capacity Assessments and Court of Protection (COP) applications. Engagement with the service user, their families and carers must be central to this process.

• Care Co-ordinating To Co-ordinate Shared Lives placements and care manage long-term arrangements to ensure compliance with the support plan, with regular reviews and adjustment as required. This includes monitoring changes in need and responding appropriately through reassessment or referral. The postholder will also support the transition of financial responsibilities from Shared Lives Carers to the Client Finance Team where required, ensuring accurate, person-centred financial planning.

• Shared Lives Agreement and Policy Development To review and update Shared Lives Placement Agreements and Licence Arrangements in line with project developments, incorporating financial changes and ensuring documentation aligns with the revised operating model. The postholder will work to embed these changes in practice and contribute to the broader policy development within the scheme.

• Multi-Team Project Collaboration To work closely with the Shared Lives, Finance, and Commissioning Teams to contribute to the development of new systems including the Banding Model, Respite Fee Structures, and Management Fee Agreements. This will involve providing professional input, supporting implementation, and assisting with the preparation of revised documentation and financial planning models.

• Working in Partnership To build and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external partners including finance, health, housing and commissioning services. The postholder will play a key role in multi-agency project meetings, bringing operational insight to strategic conversations, and ensuring locality needs are effectively represented.

• Stakeholder Communication and Engagement To assist in consultations with service users, families, and carers, ensuring they are fully informed of any changes to financial systems, agreements or processes. The postholder will gather feedback and support individuals through any resulting transitions to ensure outcomes remain person-centred and inclusive.

• Quality Assurance and Standards To work to the standards of the service (CQC, Shared Lives Plus) and corporate standards relating to customer care, data governance and safeguarding. The postholder will ensure all statutory requirements are being fulfilled and report any concerns to the Team Manager or Service Unit Manager. Accurate record keeping using IT systems and maintaining service user confidentiality is essential.

• Professional Practice To take responsibility for identifying and attending training to carry out the job effectively, engage in regular supervision, and develop an annual training plan based on individual development needs. The postholder will exercise decision-making aligned to eligibility, prioritisation, and professional judgement, contributing to multi-disciplinary team working and service delivery.

• Other Duties To ensure the financial requirements of the scheme are adhered to and to represent the Shared Lives Scheme at relevant project and working group meetings. The postholder may also be required to undertake additional duties commensurate with the level of responsibility of this post.

Ashberry Recruitment would ask that applicants meet the following:

• DIPSW or equivalent qualification in Social Work
• Social Work England registration
• Enhanced and in date DBS certificate.
• Excellent communication skills and be able to make good decisions based on information available.
• Can work alone and within/contribute to a team/multi-agency set ups
• Possess knowledge of service needs.
• Competent IT skills and be able to navigate electronic file/recording systems.
• Can write clear, concise, and robust assessment/reports/files.
• Have a flexible approach to work and working hours when the need arises

Why Ashberry?
• Dedicated experienced Consultant providing the ultimate support through your job search
• Friendly compliance team to guide you through the registration and placement process
• Provides your essential Enhanced DBS
• £250 Referral bonus.