Job summary
Post: Permanent Band 8a Professional Lead for Forensic Social Work 37.5 hours - Full Time1x Clee and Community1x Hatherton Centre and EllesmereMidlands Partnership Foundation Trust is part of, REACHOUT, a Provider Collaborative with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust and St Andrews charity, to deliver secure services in the West Midlands.We are seeking to recruit two Band 8a Forensic Social Work Leads, and are now able to offer the role as an opportunity to join a well established forensic social work service.
The post is for internal candidates only and is in addition to their current practitioner responsibilities.We operate across two sites; Medium Secure services in Stafford, at St Georges Hospital, in the Hatherton Centre, and Low Secure services in Clee Unit at the new Redwoods Centre in Shrewsbury. The service offers acute admission and treatment and a comprehensive rehabilitation program to men with mental health problems who have a history of offending or risks to others. One post will manage Clee and our Community FIRST Social Workers, and the other will be responsible for the social work service at the Hatherton and Ellesmere House.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will manage the Social Work staff in the directorate contributing to their appraisal, discipline, sickness, absence, and performance, including convening and chairing Forensic Mental Health social worker meetings. To take overall responsibility for social work caseloads in Forensic Social Work. This will include caseload management and decisions on how to prioritise workload and will include clients with highly complex needs.
The leads will demonstrate proactive Social Work leadership ensuring professional standards are maintained in all areas of practice, organisational and project work for social work. To give formal supervision, including AMHP supervision to Social Work colleagues, contributing to their development and practice and monitor their compliance with Social Work England Standards. Complete staff annual appraisals and personal development plans.
To attend and be a committed participant in the Senior Leadership management Team across the Forensic Directorate. To support the strategic service planning and development of the service. To undertake investigations and engage with external providers and agencies as required.
To undertake oversight of the Social Work budget for Forensic Directorate.
About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Further information:
The post holder(s) will have responsibility for the operational and strategic management of social work within the MSU Hatherton Centre and Ellesmere House. A separate post will have responsibility for the Community FIRST social workers and the Clee Unit, Redwoods Hospital Shrewsbury, and lead on Carers. The post holder(s) will provide leadership and professional supervision & expertise in Forensic Mental Health in the Hatherton Centre and Ellesmere / Clee Unit, Redwoods Hospital Shrewsbury and Community social workers contributing to the delivery of a modern Forensic Social Work service by working with Social Work staff, other service providers, clients, carers and families to provide an effective service.
The role will require the ability to provide legal and practice guidance in areas including but not limited to the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Equality Act and Human Rights Act with a high degree of legal literacy needed in the lead role across multiple clinical areas.
The Professional Leads will promote the Safeguarding agenda in the Directorate, offering support and guidance to Teams and colleagues and assuring statutory reporting obligations are met.
There is an expectation that all work is underpinned by a high level of theoretical and practice knowledge and delivered to a high standard in line with statutory procedures and Forensic Social Work Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF). The post holder will also maintain a caseload within the Forensic service working autonomously and take responsibility for additional casework with highly complex assessments and interventions.
Applicants should hold Social Work England registration and have extensive AMHP experience.
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 the our service.
For an informal discussion, or for further information please contact: Ian Pachner, Head of Forensic Social Work, on 07891 872275
*For full job description and person specification please refer to the attached documents.*
Job description
Job responsibilities
Further information:
The post holder(s) will have responsibility for the operational and strategic management of social work within the MSU Hatherton Centre and Ellesmere House. A separate post will have responsibility for the Community FIRST social workers and the Clee Unit, Redwoods Hospital Shrewsbury, and lead on Carers. The post holder(s) will provide leadership and professional supervision & expertise in Forensic Mental Health in the Hatherton Centre and Ellesmere / Clee Unit, Redwoods Hospital Shrewsbury and Community social workers contributing to the delivery of a modern Forensic Social Work service by working with Social Work staff, other service providers, clients, carers and families to provide an effective service.
The role will require the ability to provide legal and practice guidance in areas including but not limited to the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Equality Act and Human Rights Act with a high degree of legal literacy needed in the lead role across multiple clinical areas.
The Professional Leads will promote the Safeguarding agenda in the Directorate, offering support and guidance to Teams and colleagues and assuring statutory reporting obligations are met.
There is an expectation that all work is underpinned by a high level of theoretical and practice knowledge and delivered to a high standard in line with statutory procedures and Forensic Social Work Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF). The post holder will also maintain a caseload within the Forensic service working autonomously and take responsibility for additional casework with highly complex assessments and interventions.
Applicants should hold Social Work England registration and have extensive AMHP experience.
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 the our service.
For an informal discussion, or for further information please contact: Ian Pachner, Head of Forensic Social Work, on 07891 872275
*For full job description and person specification please refer to the attached documents.*
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A recognised Social Work qualification, CSS, CQSW, DipSW, etc.
- Current SWE registration
- Evidence of current professional development
Experience
Essential
- Previous leadership experience
- Approved Mental Health Professional experience
- Evidence of significant post qualifying training
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A recognised Social Work qualification, CSS, CQSW, DipSW, etc.
- Current SWE registration
- Evidence of current professional development
Experience
Essential
- Previous leadership experience
- Approved Mental Health Professional experience
- Evidence of significant post qualifying 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).
