Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified Social Worker who has experience of or an interest in Forensic Social Work.
West London Forensic Service, as part of West London Health Trust, is responsible for the in-patient treatment of adults detained under the Mental Health Act, who require medium or low secure levels of security in order to protect others and themselves. This includes providing a Social Work Service to the Women's Enhanced Medium Secure Service (WEMSS). The service has benefited from a recent redevelopment programme that has resulted in a new, purpose built, medium secure unit, Thames Lodge.
The successful applicant will be joining an experienced and supportive Social Work team as patients, staff, carers and stakeholders are seeing the benefits of both the site and service developments.
Whilst it is desirable for candidates to have experience working within forensic and mental health settings, applications will be equally considered from qualified and experienced Social Workers working in other areas, as long as they can demonstrate strong transferability of skills. Where applicable, applicants must have completed their ASYE before applying for this post.
Main duties of the job
West London NHS Trust, delivers a forensic social work service across medium and low levels of security, covering a large London geographical area. We work within well-resourced multi-disciplinary teams, contributing to risk assessment and care planning from admission to discharge.
We address the social care needs of patients within our services. Social Workers operate to the Forensic Mental Health Social Work: Capabilities Framework (2016) with opportunities for working across a number of specialist areas.
As a Forensic Social Worker, you will work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team attached to a ward. You will undertake statutory functions, including the completion of Social Circumstance, social history and CPA reports and take lead responsibility for safeguarding and carer engagement.
You will contribute fully to risk assessments and care pathway planning. You will work to the principles of the Recovery Model and will provide a social care perspective to patient care planning. You will have an active role in working closely and supporting the families and carers of patients. You will take a lead on ensuring safeguarding adult and children concerns are progressed, working closely with the Team Manager.
About us
Working for a forward thinking and expanding NHS Trust, you will have access to a comprehensive induction programme, excellent training opportunities, and the opportunity to develop your skills, professional interests and career. You will be further supported through individual supervision and personal development planning working for a Trust which understands Social Work values and has qualified Social Workers employed at every level, including in senior management. There is a Trustwide Social Work forum that meets regularly, allowing Social Workers to be supported in their practice, keep up to date with local and national initiatives and to develop their understanding of Social Work roles across the Trust. Additionally, visits to other services within the Trust and beyond are encouraged.
Working for a forward thinking and expanding NHS Trust, you will have access to a comprehensive induction programme, excellent training opportunities, and the opportunity to develop your skills, professional interests and career. You will be further supported through individual supervision and personal development planning working for a Trust which understands Social Work values and has qualified Social Workers employed at every level, including in senior management.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Ensure that inpatients have a social history completed to inform the post admission assessment process and in accordance with the post-admission pathway process.
Establish the home Responsible Local Authority for inpatients on admission, and escalate to Line Manager when efforts to establish the RLA prove problematic. Maintain links with the Responsible Local Authority and home Community Mental Health Team for each patient to ensure good liaison and care planning and timely transitions to lower secure environments and discharge from hospital
Gather information for needs assessment and risk analysis from patients and others such as family members and external social care and probation agencies.
Complete reports within deadlines.
Undertake assessment and analysis of risk to the public and staff or others of reoffending. Develop with multidisciplinary team colleagues risk management strategies and care plans for the treatment and rehabilitation of patients, taking a lead in relation to the individual social care needs.
Actively and assertively participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, contributing a Social Work perspective, with particular emphasis on discharge pathways and on family and external community issues, planning proactively for suitable aftercare.
Provide Social Circumstances Reports for Mental Health Tribunals, Managers Hearings, and the Parole Board which conform to the standards for such reports
Attend Mental Health Tribunals and other formal meetings to represent a Social Work perspective.
Take a lead role within the multidisciplinary team to ensure that child and adult safeguarding is prioritised and procedures followed
Job description
Job responsibilities
Ensure that inpatients have a social history completed to inform the post admission assessment process and in accordance with the post-admission pathway process.
Establish the home Responsible Local Authority for inpatients on admission, and escalate to Line Manager when efforts to establish the RLA prove problematic. Maintain links with the Responsible Local Authority and home Community Mental Health Team for each patient to ensure good liaison and care planning and timely transitions to lower secure environments and discharge from hospital
Gather information for needs assessment and risk analysis from patients and others such as family members and external social care and probation agencies.
Complete reports within deadlines.
Undertake assessment and analysis of risk to the public and staff or others of reoffending. Develop with multidisciplinary team colleagues risk management strategies and care plans for the treatment and rehabilitation of patients, taking a lead in relation to the individual social care needs.
Actively and assertively participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, contributing a Social Work perspective, with particular emphasis on discharge pathways and on family and external community issues, planning proactively for suitable aftercare.
Provide Social Circumstances Reports for Mental Health Tribunals, Managers Hearings, and the Parole Board which conform to the standards for such reports
Attend Mental Health Tribunals and other formal meetings to represent a Social Work perspective.
Take a lead role within the multidisciplinary team to ensure that child and adult safeguarding is prioritised and procedures followed
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Degree in Social Work or DipSW or CQSW (AF)
- Social Work England registration (AF)
- Post-qualifying training (with again formally or through evidenced on-the-job training) in relevant areas of social work and/or mental health (AF / I)
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development (AF /I)
Desirable
- AMHP qualification (AF)
- Qualifications relating to the Mental Capacity Act, e.g. Best Interest Assessor (AF)
- Relevant training in group work, family therapy, substance misuse interventions, or offence work (AF /I)
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with individuals with mental health problems (AF /I)
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working, and promoting a social work/social care perspective (AF/I)
- Experience of presenting reports in formal setting, e.g. Mental Health Tribunals and Managers Hearings (AF/I)
- Experience in risk assessment and risk management (AF/I)
- Experience in collaborative care planning (AF/I)
- Experience in working with families AF/I)
- Experience of child and adult safeguarding with mental health patients and their families (AF/I)
- Experience in supporting and training others on Social Work or AMHP placements (AF/I)
Desirable
- Experience of working in an inpatient forensic mental health setting (AF/I)
- Experience of working with offenders (AF/I)
- Experience of working with adults with substance misuse or dual diagnosis (AF/I)
- Experience of working with adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (AF/I)
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of particular aspects of the Mental Health Act and its associated Code of Practice, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Human Rights Act and criminal justice legislation relevant to Forensic Mental Health Social Work (AF/I)
- Detailed knowledge of identifying Responsible Local Authorities, Section 117 MHA, MAPPA, Victim Liaison, Carers' Rights and child and adult safeguarding (AF/I)
- Written and verbal communication skills to engage with patients, carers and professionals various levels of seniority across health and social care (AF/I)
- Knowledge of how to work effectively with professional networks to foster collaborative approaches and achieve results (AF/I)
Desirable
- Specialist knowledge in engaging with people with personality disorder and forensic histories (AF/I)
- Group facilitation skills (AF/I)
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Interpersonal skills to manage highly complex emotional situations (AF/I)
- Analytic and judgement skills, dealing with highly complex situations where required to express professional social work opinions (AF/I)
- Ability to work with considerable professional autonomy as a solo social worker in a multidisciplinary team (AF/I)
- Planning and organisational skills to manage a caseload and meet deadlines (AF/I)
- Ability to undertake all statutory and mandatory training, including Breakaway (subject to Occupational Health clearance) (AF/I)
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Degree in Social Work or DipSW or CQSW (AF)
- Social Work England registration (AF)
- Post-qualifying training (with again formally or through evidenced on-the-job training) in relevant areas of social work and/or mental health (AF / I)
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development (AF /I)
Desirable
- AMHP qualification (AF)
- Qualifications relating to the Mental Capacity Act, e.g. Best Interest Assessor (AF)
- Relevant training in group work, family therapy, substance misuse interventions, or offence work (AF /I)
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with individuals with mental health problems (AF /I)
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working, and promoting a social work/social care perspective (AF/I)
- Experience of presenting reports in formal setting, e.g. Mental Health Tribunals and Managers Hearings (AF/I)
- Experience in risk assessment and risk management (AF/I)
- Experience in collaborative care planning (AF/I)
- Experience in working with families AF/I)
- Experience of child and adult safeguarding with mental health patients and their families (AF/I)
- Experience in supporting and training others on Social Work or AMHP placements (AF/I)
Desirable
- Experience of working in an inpatient forensic mental health setting (AF/I)
- Experience of working with offenders (AF/I)
- Experience of working with adults with substance misuse or dual diagnosis (AF/I)
- Experience of working with adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (AF/I)
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of particular aspects of the Mental Health Act and its associated Code of Practice, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Human Rights Act and criminal justice legislation relevant to Forensic Mental Health Social Work (AF/I)
- Detailed knowledge of identifying Responsible Local Authorities, Section 117 MHA, MAPPA, Victim Liaison, Carers' Rights and child and adult safeguarding (AF/I)
- Written and verbal communication skills to engage with patients, carers and professionals various levels of seniority across health and social care (AF/I)
- Knowledge of how to work effectively with professional networks to foster collaborative approaches and achieve results (AF/I)
Desirable
- Specialist knowledge in engaging with people with personality disorder and forensic histories (AF/I)
- Group facilitation skills (AF/I)
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Interpersonal skills to manage highly complex emotional situations (AF/I)
- Analytic and judgement skills, dealing with highly complex situations where required to express professional social work opinions (AF/I)
- Ability to work with considerable professional autonomy as a solo social worker in a multidisciplinary team (AF/I)
- Planning and organisational skills to manage a caseload and meet deadlines (AF/I)
- Ability to undertake all statutory and mandatory training, including Breakaway (subject to Occupational Health clearance) (AF/I)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
