Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Social Worker to join Secure Division within Mersey Care. We are looking to recruit a dynamic and skilled Social Worker into a band 7 Lead for Forensic Social Work and Safeguarding post at HMP Altcourse.
Main duties of the job
HMP Altcourse provide care and treatment to service users and their families to comply with Standards for Secure & Prison Services, Service Level Agreements and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust Policy and Procedures.
Patients routinely have complex needs associated with a severe and enduring mental illness and or learning disability, as well as present a risk of offending or challenging behavioural needs, which may be associated with significant risk. The role requires undertaking assessment and analysis of risk in relation to public, staff and of re-offending
The successful candidate will be experienced at working with Forensic populations and have experience working in a Lead role. They will be required to work closely with colleagues from other disciplines; to assess needs and risks, within the prison population and their families. We are looking for someone with the ability to work collaboratively whilst maintaining professional independence. The successful applicant will work at HMP Altcourse.
Applicants must be qualified Social Workers, registered with Social Work England and have relevant experience in a leadership role.
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 11 million people.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be an active member of a multi-disciplinary team and will bring the social care perspective to service planning meetings and individualised care planning. You will be responsible for gathering data and information for assessment and risk analysis which may be complex. You will undertake assessment on analysis of risk in relation to public, staff and of re-offending. You will manage work to ensure personal safety and security of self and others and contribute to development of safe working environment.
The role involves working collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues to assess needs and risks within a forensic patient population. You will provide a professional social work service to patients, their families and carers and routinely liaise with external stakeholders from the point of admission to release.
The successful candidate will have the ability to deliver an efficient and high-quality social care service, have well developed assessment and analytical skills alongside effective interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.
You must have good knowledge of the key relevant Health & Social Care and Criminal Justice legislation to work in a forensic setting as well as good knowledge around safeguarding frameworks, ensuring that the Safeguarding of Children and Adults, are adequately considered within the multi-disciplinary teams and take a lead role for safeguarding within the unit.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be an active member of a multi-disciplinary team and will bring the social care perspective to service planning meetings and individualised care planning. You will be responsible for gathering data and information for assessment and risk analysis which may be complex. You will undertake assessment on analysis of risk in relation to public, staff and of re-offending. You will manage work to ensure personal safety and security of self and others and contribute to development of safe working environment.
The role involves working collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues to assess needs and risks within a forensic patient population. You will provide a professional social work service to patients, their families and carers and routinely liaise with external stakeholders from the point of admission to release.
The successful candidate will have the ability to deliver an efficient and high-quality social care service, have well developed assessment and analytical skills alongside effective interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.
You must have good knowledge of the key relevant Health & Social Care and Criminal Justice legislation to work in a forensic setting as well as good knowledge around safeguarding frameworks, ensuring that the Safeguarding of Children and Adults, are adequately considered within the multi-disciplinary teams and take a lead role for safeguarding within the unit.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- o Degree in Social Work or DipSW or CQSW. o Current Social Work England registration. o Post-qualifying training (formally or work based) in relevant areas of social work and/or mental health, learning disability or forensics. Evidence of significant continuing professional and personal development.
Desirable
- o Masters Degree (MSW) or Post Graduate (PGDipSW) o Qualifications relating to the Mental Capacity Act, e.g., Best Interest Assessor. o Practice Educator qualification 1 & 2 (PEPS). o Approved Mental Health Professional Qualification.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- o Suitable post qualifying experience as a Social Worker. o Good working knowledge of legislative guidance and policy e.g., Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Human Rights Act and criminal justice frameworks e.g., MAPPA, Victim Liaison, MARAC and Carers' Rights. o Knowledge and application of professional standards, codes of conduct and Social Work England standards of proficiency and Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF). o Good working understanding of Information Governance, Data Protection and confidentiality. o Ability to assess and manage complex cases in a multidisciplinary team setting. o Skilled at assessing and implementing risk management frameworks. o Skilled at assessing and promoting the involvement of people in developing their own care/ support plans using a strength and asset based approach. o An understanding of Equality, Inclusion and protected characteristics. o Experience of working with service users with mental disorders and/or learning disabilities. o Experience of multidisciplinary team working and promoting social work/social care. o Experience of presenting reports in formal setting, e.g., Courts, Mental Health Tribunals, Safeguarding Strategy. o Experience in working with families. o Experience of child and adult safeguarding.
Desirable
- o Experience of working with forensic service users. o Experience of supervising others
Values
Essential
- o Continuous Improvement o Accountability o Respectfulness o Enthusiasm o Support o High professional standards o Responsive to service users o Engaging leadership style o Strong customer service belief o Transparency and honesty o Discreet o Change oriented
Skills
Essential
- o To be able to practice safely and effectively within scope of practice. o To be able to practice within the legal and ethical boundaries of Social Work profession. o Understand the key concepts of the knowledge base relevant to Social Work profession. o Be able to draw on appropriate knowledge and skills to inform practice. o Develop written documents including report writing relevant for practice. o An ability to manage time, prioritise work and meet deadlines. o To be able to practice as an autonomous professional. o To be able to communicate effectively. 29/06/2022 o To be able to build compassionate and effective relationships. o To be able to maintain records appropriate. o Interpersonal skills and resilience to manage complex clinical case work. o Written and verbal communication skills to engage with patients, carers and professionals. o Well-developed analytic and judgement skills, dealing with complex situations where required to lead on professional social work opinions
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- o Degree in Social Work or DipSW or CQSW. o Current Social Work England registration. o Post-qualifying training (formally or work based) in relevant areas of social work and/or mental health, learning disability or forensics. Evidence of significant continuing professional and personal development.
Desirable
- o Masters Degree (MSW) or Post Graduate (PGDipSW) o Qualifications relating to the Mental Capacity Act, e.g., Best Interest Assessor. o Practice Educator qualification 1 & 2 (PEPS). o Approved Mental Health Professional Qualification.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- o Suitable post qualifying experience as a Social Worker. o Good working knowledge of legislative guidance and policy e.g., Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Human Rights Act and criminal justice frameworks e.g., MAPPA, Victim Liaison, MARAC and Carers' Rights. o Knowledge and application of professional standards, codes of conduct and Social Work England standards of proficiency and Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF). o Good working understanding of Information Governance, Data Protection and confidentiality. o Ability to assess and manage complex cases in a multidisciplinary team setting. o Skilled at assessing and implementing risk management frameworks. o Skilled at assessing and promoting the involvement of people in developing their own care/ support plans using a strength and asset based approach. o An understanding of Equality, Inclusion and protected characteristics. o Experience of working with service users with mental disorders and/or learning disabilities. o Experience of multidisciplinary team working and promoting social work/social care. o Experience of presenting reports in formal setting, e.g., Courts, Mental Health Tribunals, Safeguarding Strategy. o Experience in working with families. o Experience of child and adult safeguarding.
Desirable
- o Experience of working with forensic service users. o Experience of supervising others
Values
Essential
- o Continuous Improvement o Accountability o Respectfulness o Enthusiasm o Support o High professional standards o Responsive to service users o Engaging leadership style o Strong customer service belief o Transparency and honesty o Discreet o Change oriented
Skills
Essential
- o To be able to practice safely and effectively within scope of practice. o To be able to practice within the legal and ethical boundaries of Social Work profession. o Understand the key concepts of the knowledge base relevant to Social Work profession. o Be able to draw on appropriate knowledge and skills to inform practice. o Develop written documents including report writing relevant for practice. o An ability to manage time, prioritise work and meet deadlines. o To be able to practice as an autonomous professional. o To be able to communicate effectively. 29/06/2022 o To be able to build compassionate and effective relationships. o To be able to maintain records appropriate. o Interpersonal skills and resilience to manage complex clinical case work. o Written and verbal communication skills to engage with patients, carers and professionals. o Well-developed analytic and judgement skills, dealing with complex situations where required to lead on professional social work opinions
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).
