Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for qualified Social Workers interested in working with women with complex mental health needs.
The post holder will join the multidisciplinary team on Melrose Ward, a Level 2 specialist mental health rehabilitation inpatient service for women, based at The Orchard Unit on the St Bernard's Hospital campus. The ward provides trauma-informed, gender-sensitive care for women whose recovery has not been supported in previous placements.
The team delivers holistic, biopsychosocial care, with a focus on psychological therapies, occupational engagement, and community reintegration, supporting service users to build life skills and move towards independent living.
Melrose Ward offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an innovative, recovery-focused model of care across Local Services and West London Forensic Services.
You will manage a ward-based caseload alongside structured learning, development opportunities, and regular supervision, within a supportive Social Work team.
Experience in inpatient or complex needs settings is desirable but not essential, provided transferable skills can be demonstrated.
Main duties of the job
West London NHS Trust delivers a Social Work service across all working-age adult wards at St Bernard's Hospital. With the exception of Melrose Ward, these are forensic settings, although not all patients are restricted or detained under forensic sections of the Mental Health Act. Social Workers are embedded within well-resourced multidisciplinary teams and contribute to risk assessment and care planning from admission through to discharge.
The service focuses on meeting the social care needs of patients and operates in line with the Forensic Mental Health Social Work Capabilities Framework (2016), offering opportunities to work across a range of specialist areas.
As a frontline Social Worker, you will manage a balanced caseload alongside structured learning and development opportunities. You will build skills in risk assessment and management, effective multidisciplinary working, and the application of legal frameworks relating to mental health detention and mental capacity.
The role includes direct patient work, completing statutory assessments, preparing formal reports, and identifying and implementing safeguarding processes. You will also work closely with families and carers and collaborate with partner agencies, including MAPPA, the Probation Service, the Victim Contact Scheme, and Adult and Children's Social Work colleagues within local authorities.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Degree in Social Work or DipSW or CQSW
- Social Work England registration
- Post-qualifying training (with again formally or through evidenced on-the-job training) in relevant areas of social work and/or mental health
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- AMHP qualification
- Qualifications relating to the Mental Capacity Act, e.g. Best Interest Assessor
- Relevant training in group work, family therapy, substance misuse interventions, or offence work
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with individuals with mental health problems
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working, and promoting a social work/social care perspective
- Experience of presenting reports in formal setting, e.g. Mental Health Tribunals and Managers Hearings
- Experience in risk assessment and risk management
- Experience in collaborative care planning
- Experience in working with families
- Experience of child and adult safeguarding with mental health patients and their families
Desirable
- Experience of working in an inpatient forensic mental health setting Experience of working with offenders
- Experience of working with adults with substance misuse or dual diagnosis
- Experience of working with adults with Autistic
- Experience in supporting and training others on Social Work or AMHP placements Spectrum Disorder
Knowledge and Skills
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
- Detailed knowledge of identifying Responsible Local Authorities, Section 117 MHA, MAPPA, Victim Liaison, Carers' Rights and child and adult safeguarding
- Written and verbal communication skills to engage with patients, carers and professionals various levels of seniority across health and social care
- Knowledge of how to work effectively with professional networks to foster collaborative approaches and achieve results
Desirable
- Specialist knowledge in engaging with people with personality disorder and forensic histories
- Group facilitation skills
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Interpersonal skills to manage highly complex emotional situations
- Analytic and judgement skills, dealing with highly complex situations where required to express professional social work opinions
- Ability to work with considerable professional autonomy as a solo social worker in a multidisciplinary team
- Planning and organisational skills to manage a caseload and meet deadlines
- Ability to undertake all statutory and mandatory training, including Breakaway (subject to Occupational Health clearance)
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Degree in Social Work or DipSW or CQSW
- Social Work England registration
- Post-qualifying training (with again formally or through evidenced on-the-job training) in relevant areas of social work and/or mental health
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- AMHP qualification
- Qualifications relating to the Mental Capacity Act, e.g. Best Interest Assessor
- Relevant training in group work, family therapy, substance misuse interventions, or offence work
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with individuals with mental health problems
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working, and promoting a social work/social care perspective
- Experience of presenting reports in formal setting, e.g. Mental Health Tribunals and Managers Hearings
- Experience in risk assessment and risk management
- Experience in collaborative care planning
- Experience in working with families
- Experience of child and adult safeguarding with mental health patients and their families
Desirable
- Experience of working in an inpatient forensic mental health setting Experience of working with offenders
- Experience of working with adults with substance misuse or dual diagnosis
- Experience of working with adults with Autistic
- Experience in supporting and training others on Social Work or AMHP placements Spectrum Disorder
Knowledge and Skills
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
- Detailed knowledge of identifying Responsible Local Authorities, Section 117 MHA, MAPPA, Victim Liaison, Carers' Rights and child and adult safeguarding
- Written and verbal communication skills to engage with patients, carers and professionals various levels of seniority across health and social care
- Knowledge of how to work effectively with professional networks to foster collaborative approaches and achieve results
Desirable
- Specialist knowledge in engaging with people with personality disorder and forensic histories
- Group facilitation skills
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Interpersonal skills to manage highly complex emotional situations
- Analytic and judgement skills, dealing with highly complex situations where required to express professional social work opinions
- Ability to work with considerable professional autonomy as a solo social worker in a multidisciplinary team
- Planning and organisational skills to manage a caseload and meet deadlines
- Ability to undertake all statutory and mandatory training, including Breakaway (subject to Occupational Health clearance)
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
