Adult Hospital First Contact Team (AHFCT)

Location: Northern General Hospital, Sheffield (working across Sheffield Teaching Hospitals sites)

Includes participation in the Out of Hours rota with enhanced payments

Make a Difference When It Matters Most

Sheffield City Council's Hospital First Contact Team is seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and person-centred Social Care Practitioner to join our busy and supportive team.

The Hospital First Contact Team forms part of Sheffield City Council's Adult Social Care Service and works in close partnership with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Based primarily at the Northern General Hospital, practitioners work across Sheffield's acute hospital sites as part of multidisciplinary teams, supporting adults and their families to achieve safe, timely and person-centred discharge outcomes.

This is a hospital-based role and successful applicants will be expected to be present within the hospital setting as an integral part of ward-based and discharge planning teams. The role offers an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same, supporting people at critical points in their lives and helping them achieve the best possible outcomes.

About the Role

As a Social Care Practitioner, you will work alongside social workers, discharge nurses, navigators, therapists, ward staff and community partners to support people through their hospital journey and facilitate safe and effective discharge planning.

You will undertake strengths-based assessments and conversations, provide information and advice, identify appropriate support options and work collaboratively with individuals, families and professionals to maximise independence and wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

Working within Sheffield Teaching Hospitals to support timely and effective discharge planning.
Completing strengths-based assessments and reviews of care and support needs.
Providing information, advice and guidance to individuals, carers and professionals.
Identifying risks and supporting safeguarding processes where appropriate.
Working collaboratively with health colleagues and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes.
Promoting independence through the identification of community resources, preventative services and technology-enabled care solutions.
Supporting individuals and families through complex decision-making and periods of change.
Maintaining accurate, timely and high-quality case recordings.
Contributing to person-centred discharge plans that support individuals to return home safely wherever possible.
Participating in the Adult Social Care Out of Hours Service rota, responding to urgent and emergency social care situations outside normal working hours.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

Has experience of working with adults who have care and support needs.
Demonstrates a commitment to strengths-based and person-centred practice.
Has knowledge of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act and safeguarding responsibilities.
Can communicate effectively with a wide range of people and professionals.
Is organised, resilient and able to manage competing priorities.
Can build effective working relationships within multidisciplinary teams.
Is confident working within a busy hospital environment.
Is committed to promoting independence, choice and positive outcomes for adults and their carers.
Is willing and able to participate in an Out of Hours rota.

What We Offer

A supportive and experienced management team.
Regular supervision and opportunities for reflective practice.
Access to ongoing learning and development opportunities.
Flexible working arrangements where service needs allow.
Local Government Pension Scheme.
Generous annual leave entitlement.
Employee wellbeing support.
The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of Sheffield residents.

Why Join Us?

The Hospital First Contact Team is at the heart of Sheffield's integrated health and social care system. We work closely with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and community partners to ensure people receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys collaborative working, thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about helping adults maintain their independence and wellbeing.

Further Information

For an informal discussion about the role, or if you have any questions, please contact:

Grace Mehta
Team Manager – Hospital First Contact Team
Email: grace.mehta@sheffield.gov.uk

We look forward to hearing from you.

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.

It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.

Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee. In these cases, we’ll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.

Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.

Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our Sheff news page.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.