Forensic Social Worker

Job summary

The Forensic Social Worker is responsible for the effective delivery of forensic social work to the patients of Bowman Ward Low Secure Unit. Bowman Low Secure Unit is a twelve bedded male only Low Secure Unit on the Bodmin Hospital site. The client group are mostly detained under s.37/41 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended in 2007) and are vulnerable as a result of their history of offending within the context of mental disorder and associated complex needs (e.g. learning disability/autistic spectrum disorder). We support people who, as a consequence of their mental health needs, have had contact with the criminal justice system and require a safe and secure environment that enables them to receive a wide range of treatments, therapies and care to support their recovery. Recovery is at the heart of everything we do and we aim to support people to build a safe and meaningful life with a focus on personal health, strengths and wellness

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will work at the Advanced Level of the Forensic Mental Health Social Work Capabilities Framework and at the Social Worker Specialist Level of the National Profiles for Social Work. This is a senior role which requires the post-holder to have gained some experience as an Experienced Social Worker (NHS Band 6 or ASC Level 3).

The Forensic Social Worker will be line managed by the Ward Manager. Where the Ward Manager is not a registered Social Worker additional professional supervision will be required externally to the ward; this will be unlikely to provide caseload supervision and, as such, the Forensic Social Worker has a high degree of autonomy in terms of social work provision and decision-making.

The postholder will supervise at least one (currently two) Social Inclusion Workers; there will be a need to upskill these Band 4 workers in a range of social work support duties and to develop their knowledge of social work values and approaches. The postholder is also expected to provide placements for pre-registration social work students or ASYE social workers and to provide them with oversight and provide clinical and caseload supervision. The postholder is expected to mentor HCAs and Friends and Family Leads, supporting development and understanding of a holistic perspective of patients and their families

About us

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.

Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.

We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increases the numbers of people who use our services.