Job summary
We are seeking a Band 7 Advanced Forensic Social Work Practitioner.
There is a strong Social Work team across Forensics, who offer peer support, supervision, and both development and training opportunities. You will working on a 16-bedded rehabilitation ward in the Hatherton medium secure unit based in Stafford.
On the ward, you will be part of a comprehensive multi-disciplinary team addressing individual needs through tailored packages of care. You will work in an integrated way with, service users and carers, inpatient services, the Forensic community team, the local authority and other partners.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the Community. The post is a permanent appointment to meet the requirements of our service development and is an ideal opportunity to develop expertise in Forensic Social Work, within a supportive Team environment
Main duties of the job
To contribute to a high quality specialist Social Work service within the multi-disciplinary teams across the Forensic Directorate for adults with severe and enduring mental health problems and a history of serious offending behaviour.
To hold a specialist caseload of inpatients, respecting their rights to live as independently and with as much control over their lives as possible.
To provide specialist assessment and social work interventions.
To supervise and support the assessment and therapy provided by other staff providing evidence-based social care interventions.
To work autonomously within professional guidelines and exercise responsibility for the systematic governance of social work practice.
To implement policies and propose service developments and policy changes within own area of practice as agreed with the relevant lead social worker and/or team leader.
To contribute to teaching, research, and cross specialty initiatives relevant to needs of the Forensic Social Work Service, the wider Forensic Service, and Midland Partnership NHS Healthcare Foundation Trust and the Reach Out collaborative.
About us
By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;
- Supporting your career development and progression
- Excellent NHS Pension scheme
- Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Options for flexible working
- Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) and the opportunity to purchase additional leave
- Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
- If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
- Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
- Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
- Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
- Free car parking at all trust sites
- Free flu vaccinations every year
- Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)
And more. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Job description
Job responsibilities
To bring the social work perspective to forensic risk assessment, Care Programme Approach care planning and liaising with the area of origin.
To negotiate complex packages of care with relevant statutory agencies
To prepare and present comprehensive statutory reports for Mental Health Tribunals and Hospital Managers Hearings, offering considered recommendations.
To provide statutory reports required by the Mental Health Unit of the Ministry of Justice, offering considered recommendations.
To initiate contact with families and informal carers and where applicable undertake statutory Carers assessments
As Approved Mental Health Professionals to:
Apply the provisions of the 1983 Mental Health Act (including provisions under Part III of the act) and duties in relation to Community Treatment Orders.
Practice in line with the current MHA Code of Practice and local AMHP policies.
Refer cases to the Multi-Agency Public Protection Panel (MAPPA) and to present cases at this and other multi-agency forums.
To uphold child protection legislation, safeguarding children policy and good practice guidance.
To uphold local protocols in relation to the protection of adults with Safeguarding needs. To act as an Appropriate Adult under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.
To take responsibility for maintaining current knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance, case law, research and publications including Mental Capacity Act 1995, DOLS, IMHA, IMCA, and Court of Protection.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To bring the social work perspective to forensic risk assessment, Care Programme Approach care planning and liaising with the area of origin.
To negotiate complex packages of care with relevant statutory agencies
To prepare and present comprehensive statutory reports for Mental Health Tribunals and Hospital Managers Hearings, offering considered recommendations.
To provide statutory reports required by the Mental Health Unit of the Ministry of Justice, offering considered recommendations.
To initiate contact with families and informal carers and where applicable undertake statutory Carers assessments
As Approved Mental Health Professionals to:
Apply the provisions of the 1983 Mental Health Act (including provisions under Part III of the act) and duties in relation to Community Treatment Orders.
Practice in line with the current MHA Code of Practice and local AMHP policies.
Refer cases to the Multi-Agency Public Protection Panel (MAPPA) and to present cases at this and other multi-agency forums.
To uphold child protection legislation, safeguarding children policy and good practice guidance.
To uphold local protocols in relation to the protection of adults with Safeguarding needs. To act as an Appropriate Adult under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.
To take responsibility for maintaining current knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance, case law, research and publications including Mental Capacity Act 1995, DOLS, IMHA, IMCA, and Court of Protection.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential
- A recognised Social Work qualification, CSS, CQSW, DipSW, etc.
- Approved Mental Health Professional status
- Evidence of current professional development
Desirable
- Practice Educator Certificate
- Post Qualifying Award(s) in Social Work
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience of complex interventions in the field of Mental Health
- Significant experience and knowledge of the criminal justice system and roles and
Desirable
- Participation in regional and national forums
- Substantial experience in working with adults with offending history
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES
Essential
- Good written and verbal communication (English) skills. High level presentation skills in formal settings
- Working knowledge of relevant legislation including those relating to Mental Capacity Act 1995, Mental Health Acts 1983 & 2007 (including DOLS, IMHA, IMCA, & Court of Protection), Care Act 2014
- Ability to work autonomously within the
Desirable
- Groupwork Experience
- Evidence of Delivering training
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential
- A recognised Social Work qualification, CSS, CQSW, DipSW, etc.
- Approved Mental Health Professional status
- Evidence of current professional development
Desirable
- Practice Educator Certificate
- Post Qualifying Award(s) in Social Work
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience of complex interventions in the field of Mental Health
- Significant experience and knowledge of the criminal justice system and roles and
Desirable
- Participation in regional and national forums
- Substantial experience in working with adults with offending history
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES
Essential
- Good written and verbal communication (English) skills. High level presentation skills in formal settings
- Working knowledge of relevant legislation including those relating to Mental Capacity Act 1995, Mental Health Acts 1983 & 2007 (including DOLS, IMHA, IMCA, & Court of Protection), Care Act 2014
- Ability to work autonomously within the
Desirable
- Groupwork Experience
- Evidence of Delivering training
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).
