Band 6 Forensic Inpatient Mental Health Social Worker

NHS; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust in Birmingham is seeking a Band 6 Forensic Inpatient Mental Health Social Worker to join the MDT on our secure wards.

You will contribute to preadmission assessments, manage social care planning under Care Act, and support discharge planning and safeguarding.

This permanent role offers 37.5 hours per week, with annual salary £39,959 to £48,117 and opportunities to develop specialist skills within forensic services.

Qualifications

• Registered Social Worker with UK registration.
• Experience in forensic mental health is advantageous.
• Able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to preadmission assessments and information gathering.
• Oversee liaison with housing providers, benefits agencies and tenancy issues on admission.
• Contribute to Care Act assessments and section 117 aftercare.
• Attend Mental Health Tribunals and hospital managers hearings and provide reports.

Skills

Registered SW

Job description

Band 6 Forensic Inpatient Mental Health Social Worker

Band 6

Main area Forensic Grade Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 436-8367298

Site Main House Town Birmingham Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 07/12/2026 23:59

Please note that this post may close earlier than the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Job overview

The service provides care and treatment for men in conditions of medium secure care; patients are detained under the Mental Health Act 2025 and have a history of actual or potential harm to other people.

To contribute to preadmission assessments of patients referred to the forensic in-patient service this will include ascertaining information on local authority section 117 responsibility and where applicable identifying nearest relatives and appropriate family.

Having oversight of patients transferring to the forensic community service and during the transition to support the forensic community service.

Identifying social care issues on admission and ensuring there is liaison with housing providers and the benefits agency and issues regarding property and tenancy are dealt with at an early stage.

Contribute to assessments of needs under the Care Act 2014 and section 117 aftercare

Safeguarding, raising safeguarding alerts where appropriate.

Compile non statutory and statutory reports including dialogue plus reports social history and needs reports, social circumstance reports for mental health tribunals and Mental Health Act hospital managers hearings

Contribute towards the multidisciplinary assessment and management of risk .

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work in the forensic inpatient wards as part of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) contributing to preadmission assessments .

Following a patient’s admission, the post holder will work with others to resolve potential barriers to timely discharges and contribute to the ongoing care planning for inpatients.

The social worker will work with patients on the ward up to the point of discharge to ensure they have access to relevant community services

Social worker will support the ward team regarding children's and adult safeguarding responsibilities

Social worker will ensure patients are assessed under the Care Act and section 117 aftercare

Social worker is required to attend legal forums including Mental Health Tribunals and Mental Health Hospital Managers hearing and provide reports as requested by the Mental Health Act Office.

Working for our organisation

Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.

Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people’s lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.

Person specification

Registered social worker SW England

• Registered SW

Our Trust is committed to treating individuals fairly and ensuring they have the same opportunities to fulfil their potential, even if this means doing things differently for different people sometimes. We are working hard to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity within Birmingham and Solihull and that our services meet the needs of all diverse service users and carers.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of our safe recruitment practice pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. As part of the selection process you may be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, however all cases of criminal record history are dealt with on a case by case basis.

Please note, if applicable for your role you will be required to cover the cost of your DBS certificate. This will be deducted from your salary over 3 months.

All successful applicants will be required to complete the Trust’s induction programme. The Fundamental (Statutory and Mandatory) training will be in an e-learning format. You will be required to complete training modules online (approx. 9-14 hours depending on post) by the end of your second week with us.

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the United Kingdom (UK) are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, please ensure that you check if this role meets the eligibility criteria for sponsorship. Non UK /Republic of Ireland candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Browse: Work in the UK - GOV.UK ("www.gov.uk") . The minimum salary threshold for a Health and Social Care is £25,000 and for the Skilled Worker route is £38,700. If the starting salary for this role is below this, we will not be able to provide sponsorship.

Relocation expenses may be reimbursed subject to eligibility. The policy provides for reimbursement up to £8,000.

Please note - if you are applying for a role within Police custody, due to Police Vetting requirements you must have been a UK resident for the last years.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.