Social Worker- Hospital Discharge
London Borough of Islington
About The Role
Are you a skilled and motivated Social Worker who thrives in a fast-paced hospital discharge environment and is passionate about helping people return safely to the community?
Islington Council’s Adult Social Care service is inviting application for a Social Worker within the Hospital Discharge Service. This role offers the opportunity to work with hospitals, community services, health partners, brokerage, providers, carers and families to support safe, timely and person-centred discharge.
About the role
As a Hospital Discharge Social Worker, you will support adults to move from hospital to the most appropriate setting, including home with support, reablement, short-term placements, residential or nursing care. Practice will be grounded in the Care Act 2014, strengths-based working and the Home First approach.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Complete proportionate assessments, reviews and reassessments for adults in hospital or recently discharged.
- Support safe and timely discharge planning across Pathways 1, 2 and 3.
- Work collaboratively with residents, families, carers, hospital teams, therapists, brokerage, providers and health colleagues.
- Identify eligible needs under the Care Act 2014 and develop outcome-focused support plans.
- Arrange and review care packages, reablement, short-term placements and other community support.
- Consider safeguarding, mental capacity, risk, ordinary residence and funding responsibilities.
- Maintain clear, defensible and audit-ready case records.
What we are looking for
- Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
- Experience in adult social care, hospital discharge, safeguarding, reviews or care planning.
- Good knowledge of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and strengths-based practice.
- Strong assessment, communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work at pace and manage competing priorities.
Why join Islington’s Hospital Discharge Service?
You will join a supportive and committed service where your professional judgement, partnership working and problem-solving skills will make a direct impact on residents’ outcomes and hospital flow.
If you are confident working in a busy multi-disciplinary environment and motivated to support safe hospital discharge, we would welcome your application.
If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact Dr. Tola Osunnuga at [email protected]. We kindly ask that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. We are managing the recruitment process internally and will make direct contact should external support be required.
Working for the team, service and our organisation
Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn’t be clearer: we serve. It’s in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future.
We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.
To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.
- Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
- A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
- Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
- Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
- Excellent local government pension scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
- Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!
We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act, including but not limited to race, disability, sexual orientation, sex, religion and belief, age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity. Any incidents of discrimination will be promptly investigated and addressed in line with our HR policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues.
We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring that our policies and practices are transparent and impactful in promoting a diverse representation of backgrounds and perspectives at all levels of the organisation. We look at inequality through an intersectional lens, recognising that different aspects of someone’s identity can combine to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.
We know that advancing diversity and inclusion is a continuous journey, and we must listen to our colleagues and learn where we can further improve. We work closely with our Colleague Forums and Trade Unions, supported by active allies from our Corporate Management Team, to monitor and evaluate our practices, identify barriers, and empower colleagues to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.
Every one of us has a role to play in making Islington Council a truly inclusive workplace. By living out our CARE (collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering) values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.
Pre‑Employment Checks
Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre‑employment checks. These may include:
- Proof of address
- Evidence of any name changes (if applicable)
- Right to work in the UK
- Overseas criminal record check (if applicable)
- Satisfactory references
- Occupational Health clearance
- Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
- DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable)
