Social Worker - Hospital

Social Worker – Hospital Team
Location: St Richard's Hospital, Chichester
Pay Rate: £38.00 per hour
Contract Type: Full-Time Locum

SW Locums is recruiting an experienced and dedicated Social Worker to join the Hospital Social Work Team based at St Richard's Hospital in Chichester. This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive and dynamic service focused on making a positive difference to the lives of people across West Sussex.

At SW Locums, we pride ourselves on building long-term relationships with our candidates, offering outstanding support, competitive rates, prompt payroll services, and access to rewarding assignments across the UK. We understand the challenges of frontline social work and are committed to helping our professionals thrive in their careers.

Working Arrangements

This role offers a flexible hybrid working model, with a mixture of home and hospital-based working. The successful candidate will be required to be present in the office/hospital 2–3 days per week and attend the hospital as needed to:

• Support duty functions
• Visit wards and undertake assessments
• Attend family meetings
• Work collaboratively as part of the multidisciplinary team
• Provide social work support across A&E and the Emergency Floor

About the Role

The Hospital Social Work Team is committed to making a positive difference to the people of West Sussex. The team responds within required timescales to assess individuals in hospital settings and those recently discharged from hospital. The focus is on arranging appropriate care and support to maximise independence and achieve the best possible outcomes.

This is a varied and fast-paced role offering the opportunity to work alongside a wide range of professionals across hospital services, community resources, and voluntary sector organisations. The team is highly supportive and committed to professional development, providing opportunities for practitioners to expand their skills and experience.

As a Social Worker, You Will:

• Deliver a statutory social work service to adults and their families.
• Undertake strengths-based assessments and develop person-centred support plans.
• Work with compassion, empathy, and professionalism to support individuals requiring social care intervention.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues and partner agencies to deliver high-quality social work practice.
• Support individuals to regain skills, confidence, and independence following hospital admission wherever possible.
• Contribute to safeguarding enquiries and risk management processes.
• Benefit from strong leadership within a well-established and forward-thinking social work service.
• Work flexibly across hospital and remote environments where appropriate.

Essential Experience and Skills

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Experience working proactively within a team to complete accurate strengths-based assessments and implement effective care plans.
• Experience applying a risk enablement approach and evidence-based practice.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex information and prioritise interventions effectively.
• Experience contributing to or undertaking safeguarding enquiries.
• The ability to support, mentor, and provide informal supervision to less experienced practitioners, students, or apprentices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and recognise when to seek guidance or supervision.
• Sound IT skills and experience maintaining accurate records in accordance with data protection and confidentiality requirements.

Why Join This Team?

• Competitive pay rate of £38.00 per hour.
• Full-time locum opportunity.
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
• Supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Exposure to multidisciplinary working across hospital and community settings.
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development and skill enhancement.
• Meaningful work supporting adults to achieve greater independence and improved outcomes.

If you are a motivated and experienced Social Worker looking for your next rewarding hospital-based locum opportunity, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today and join a team committed to delivering exceptional outcomes for the people of West Sussex.