Job summary
*The post attracts an additional Forensic Lead Allowance (RSU allowance) of £1440 per annum, on top of the annual salary. *
The Forensic Community Social Work Team is currently undergoing a re-modelling process as part of the Thames Valley Forensic Mental Health service initiative.
The primary aim is to enhance the quality of care it provides to service users in their own homes. The new service has become a Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT) however, the re-modelling process is still ongoing.
As a result, we are looking for a highly motivated Social Work professional who is keen to utilize their skills, and experience, to bring the social care perspective into the forensic mental health community setting.
Main duties of the job
In this role, you will support new and existing service users in the team in their recovery journey. If you're experienced, resilient, enjoy working as part of a multi - disciplinary team, and are sensitive to the needs of mental health service users, and their relatives in the community, this would be a great opportunity for you.
You will be based at Oxford Clinic, Littlemore Mental Health Centre site in Oxford, but cover the Oxfordshire area.
About us
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.
Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible
Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"
Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"
At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
- Excellent opportunities for career progression
- Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
- 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
- NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
- Competitive pension scheme
- Lease car scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Mental Health First Aiders
- Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
- Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team contributing to needs and risk assessments and planning of care and risk management as part of the Care Programme Approach.
- To contribute to assessment of needs within the Care Act 2014 and Mental Health Act, Section 117 Aftercare needs, working with the relevant different Local Authorities and health partners to ensure arrangements are made for effective discharge destination.
- Participate in clinical and management supervision with line manager and inform them of individual case issues which may have implications for others on policy/departmental strategy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team contributing to needs and risk assessments and planning of care and risk management as part of the Care Programme Approach.
- To contribute to assessment of needs within the Care Act 2014 and Mental Health Act, Section 117 Aftercare needs, working with the relevant different Local Authorities and health partners to ensure arrangements are made for effective discharge destination.
- Participate in clinical and management supervision with line manager and inform them of individual case issues which may have implications for others on policy/departmental strategy.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Social work experience with vulnerable and difficult to engage adults particularly with mental health issues and history of offending.
- Knowledge of children and vulnerable adults safeguarding practice and procedures.
- Good working knowledge of relevant legislation e,g. the Mental Health Act (1983/2007), the Mental Capacity Act (2005), Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act (2004), Care Act 2014, Equality Act 2010 and Human Right Act 1998.
- Able to carry out appropriate investigations and to lead on safeguarding issues within the multidisciplinary team
- A sound understanding of equal opportunity issues and relevant legislation, policies and procedures and confidence to promote anti - discriminatory practice in multi - disciplinary teams
Desirable
- Experience of working both in-patient and community forensic social work.
- Group work skills and experience, or an interest in developing these in relation to working with service users and/or carers.
- An ability to contribute a S/W perspective in wider contexts such as clinical governance
- Good understanding of the criminal justice system and associated processes
Qualifications - Academic/Skills/Professional
Essential
- Professional qualification in social work: Degree in Social Work, Dip SW and/or social work postgraduate degree
- Registered with Social Work England (SWE).
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
Desirable
- Post-qualifying education relevant to social care and/or health services such as BIA/AMHP qualification.
Further Training or Job Related Aptitude and Skills
Essential
- An ability to engage with service users and carers who may be resistant to care.
- An ability to use empathy when dealing with difficult information.
- Good communication skills.
Experience
Essential
- Experience in contributing to inpatient care pathway planning in accordance with Care Plan Approach
- Confidence and ability to plan for provision of S.117 aftercare for service users once discharge.
- An ability to provide specialised advice in relation to the care of service users in this service
- Excellent presentation skills to deliver reports to Mental Health Review Tribunals and other appropriate settings - Statutory and nonStatutory report
Desirable
- To have good knowledge of mental health services.
- To have experience of undertaking audits.
- To have experience of supervising student placements
- Experience of assessing the needs of carers
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Good level of IT skills including the use of Microsoft 365
- An ability to lead on specific topics which have an impact across the Trust.
- An ability to plan and manage individual work - load and service users care effectively .
- Ability to work independently as well as part of the team.
Contractual Requirements or other requirements.
Essential
- Must be able to travel to different locations around the catchment area (Oxfordshire) and occasionally outside the area
- Willingness to carry out duties outside of ordinary office hours if necessary.
Desirable
- Access to car and driving license is desirable.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Social work experience with vulnerable and difficult to engage adults particularly with mental health issues and history of offending.
- Knowledge of children and vulnerable adults safeguarding practice and procedures.
- Good working knowledge of relevant legislation e,g. the Mental Health Act (1983/2007), the Mental Capacity Act (2005), Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act (2004), Care Act 2014, Equality Act 2010 and Human Right Act 1998.
- Able to carry out appropriate investigations and to lead on safeguarding issues within the multidisciplinary team
- A sound understanding of equal opportunity issues and relevant legislation, policies and procedures and confidence to promote anti - discriminatory practice in multi - disciplinary teams
Desirable
- Experience of working both in-patient and community forensic social work.
- Group work skills and experience, or an interest in developing these in relation to working with service users and/or carers.
- An ability to contribute a S/W perspective in wider contexts such as clinical governance
- Good understanding of the criminal justice system and associated processes
Qualifications - Academic/Skills/Professional
Essential
- Professional qualification in social work: Degree in Social Work, Dip SW and/or social work postgraduate degree
- Registered with Social Work England (SWE).
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
Desirable
- Post-qualifying education relevant to social care and/or health services such as BIA/AMHP qualification.
Further Training or Job Related Aptitude and Skills
Essential
- An ability to engage with service users and carers who may be resistant to care.
- An ability to use empathy when dealing with difficult information.
- Good communication skills.
Experience
Essential
- Experience in contributing to inpatient care pathway planning in accordance with Care Plan Approach
- Confidence and ability to plan for provision of S.117 aftercare for service users once discharge.
- An ability to provide specialised advice in relation to the care of service users in this service
- Excellent presentation skills to deliver reports to Mental Health Review Tribunals and other appropriate settings - Statutory and nonStatutory report
Desirable
- To have good knowledge of mental health services.
- To have experience of undertaking audits.
- To have experience of supervising student placements
- Experience of assessing the needs of carers
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Good level of IT skills including the use of Microsoft 365
- An ability to lead on specific topics which have an impact across the Trust.
- An ability to plan and manage individual work - load and service users care effectively .
- Ability to work independently as well as part of the team.
Contractual Requirements or other requirements.
Essential
- Must be able to travel to different locations around the catchment area (Oxfordshire) and occasionally outside the area
- Willingness to carry out duties outside of ordinary office hours if necessary.
Desirable
- Access to car and driving license is desirable.
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
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).
