Band 6 Specialist Community Forensic Worker - Bristol

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

The closing date is 07 May 2025

Job summary

The Specialist Community Forensic Team is a service that provides support and intervention to service users transitioning from secure care to the community.

We also offer specialist advice and guidance to mental health and other relevant services.

The successful applicant will care coordinate a small caseload with support from an expert MDT. You will also have the opportunity to train and carry out the role of social supervisor and to jointly work with recovery teams.

You will also be able to develop your skills and expertise in providing specialist advice and consultation to other professionals.

This is an exciting post in an innovative developing service and we aim to develop a highly skilled team. There are training opportunities in a range of therapeutic skills and clinical tools, including DBT, TIC, HCR- 20 and Dundrum.

We are looking to recruit a dynamic, motivated and experienced mental health professional. You will need to have a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in mental Health

We are also committed to the development of a Co-production model with our service users and carers. Therefore they will be involved in the recruitment process.

To find out more about the SCFT and this role please do contact us and speak to a member of the team.

Main duties of the job

The role is a fixed term post as a specialist community forensic worker in a Multidisciplinary Team providing a community forensic service to service users and carers, supporting transfer from secure care to the community. You would also be required to support Community teams and service users in reducing the risk of re-admission to secure care.

The role will involve care coordination and social supervision of service users who are or have been in secure services. You will carry out specialist needs and risk assessments, provide intervention and coordinate care to support recovery goals.

You will be required to provide clinical reports inclusive of tribunal and MOJ.

The role involves working as part of a strong MDT, building relationships and linking with inpatient, community services, carers and a range of organisations

There is a focus on providing appropriate training to develop skills in individuals and the service. You will receive regular management and clinical supervision along with group supervision.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Date posted

23 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

14 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

342-SEC041-0425

Job locations

Blackberry Hill Hospital

Manor Road

Bristol

BS16 1EG


Job description

Job responsibilities

To undertake the full range of activities required to deliver ongoing comprehensive mental health assessment for service users with severe and enduring mental health needs living in the community and in a range of settings.

Please refer to the attached job description for further information.

This post is open to newly qualified social workers. In line with AWP trust policy all newly qualified social workers (NQSW) will be recruited initially at Band 5 level, regardless of advertised role banding. All NQSWs are expected to successfully complete their ASYE within 2 years of employment, unless there are exceptional circumstances in which case it may be extended for a further 2 years.

If you have been appointed to an advertised Band 6 role this will be an automatic progression, following confirmation of your successful ASYE completion. If you have been appointed to a Band 5 post you will then be eligible to apply for a subsequent Band 6 vacancy upon successful ASYE completion.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To undertake the full range of activities required to deliver ongoing comprehensive mental health assessment for service users with severe and enduring mental health needs living in the community and in a range of settings.

Please refer to the attached job description for further information.

This post is open to newly qualified social workers. In line with AWP trust policy all newly qualified social workers (NQSW) will be recruited initially at Band 5 level, regardless of advertised role banding. All NQSWs are expected to successfully complete their ASYE within 2 years of employment, unless there are exceptional circumstances in which case it may be extended for a further 2 years.

If you have been appointed to an advertised Band 6 role this will be an automatic progression, following confirmation of your successful ASYE completion. If you have been appointed to a Band 5 post you will then be eligible to apply for a subsequent Band 6 vacancy upon successful ASYE completion.

Person Specification

Professional registration

Essential

  • Registration
  • Relevant qualification - RMN, OT, SW
  • Minimum 2 years MH experience

Desirable

  • Community or forensic Mental health experience
  • Experience/ training in drug and alcohol services
  • Relevant training e.g. DBT, social supervision
Person Specification

Professional registration

Essential

  • Registration
  • Relevant qualification - RMN, OT, SW
  • Minimum 2 years MH experience

Desirable

  • Community or forensic Mental health experience
  • Experience/ training in drug and alcohol services
  • Relevant training e.g. DBT, social supervision

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Blackberry Hill Hospital

Manor Road

Bristol

BS16 1EG


Employer's website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Blackberry Hill Hospital

Manor Road

Bristol

BS16 1EG


Employer's website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Service Lead SCFT

Rebecca Knight

rebecca.knight17@nhs.net

01173546311

Date posted

23 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

14 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

342-SEC041-0425

Job locations

Blackberry Hill Hospital

Manor Road

Bristol

BS16 1EG


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)