Forensic Social Worker

Priory Group; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health facility in London is seeking a compassionate and adaptable social worker to provide person-centred support to individuals with mental health needs. You'll be part of a dynamic team focused on delivering high-quality care and ensuring the wellbeing and safety of vulnerable patients. Opportunities for growth and development are abundant, alongside a supportive work culture that values your contributions. Join us and take your career to the next level in this fulfilling role.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus your birthday off

Enhanced disclosure cost coverage

Comprehensive induction and ongoing training

Free on-site parking

Online benefits and cashback rewards

Cycle to work scheme

NEST pension option

Blue Light Card application opportunity

Qualifications

• 1-2 years’ experience in mental health.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation in Social Work.
• Experience in a Forensic, Criminal Justice, or Mental Health setting.

Responsibilities

• Writing social circumstances reports and attending tribunals.
• Liaising with community teams, families, and probation practitioners.
• Managing a caseload of approximately 20 individuals.

Skills

Excellent Listening and Communication Skills

Sensitivity and Understanding

Patience and the Ability to Stay Calm Under Pressure

Flexibility and Openness to Change

Strong Teamwork and Collaborative Approach

Ability to Work Effectively Under Pressure

Applied Knowledge of Social Theories and Practices

Social Perceptiveness and Empathy

Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (2005)

Familiarity with the Mental Health Act (1983, as amended)

Commitment to Safeguarding Adults and Young People

Education

Degree level social work qualification

GSCC (RSW) registration

Job description

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The Priory Hospital Enfield, 15 Church Street, Edmonton, London, N9 9DY

Priory Group Division

Hours

37.5

Vacancy Type

Permanent - Full Time

Job Advert - Division Information

Main Purpose

At Priory Hospital Enfield (Healthcare), we are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care that inspires, advocates for, and delivers meaningful value. As a forensic site, we work to empower our patients by supporting them to build independence while managing their mental health needs.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a team where your voice is heard, your ideas are valued, and your growth is supported. With strong leadership, access to specialist training, and a clear development pathway, you’ll thrive in a role that blends challenge, collaboration, and genuine job satisfaction.

Key Skills and Knowledge Areas:

• Excellent Listening and Communication Skills

You’ll be the first point of contact for many individuals in vulnerable situations. Your ability to listen with intent and communicate clearly—both verbally and in writing—is vital to delivering high-quality care and support.

• Sensitivity and Understanding

Compassion is at the heart of what we do. You’ll approach each individual’s needs with a non-judgmental attitude, cultural awareness, and an open mind—ensuring everyone feels heard, respected, and valued.

• Patience and the Ability to Stay Calm Under Pressure

No two days are the same in this role. Your steady presence and emotional resilience will be key when supporting individuals.

• Flexibility and Openness to Change

You’ll thrive in a dynamic environment where priorities can shift quickly. Being adaptable means you can respond positively to new challenges, innovations, and service improvements.

• Strong Teamwork and Collaborative Approach

You’ll work closely with a multi-disciplinary team including healthcare professionals, community partners, and families. Your ability to collaborate, contribute ideas, and offer mutual support is essential to achieving the best outcomes for those in your care.

• Ability to Work Effectively Under Pressure

We value your ability to stay focused, organised, and solution-oriented—even when dealing with high caseloads or urgent safeguarding issues.

• Applied Knowledge of Social Theories and Practices

Your understanding of frameworks such as person-centred care, trauma-informed practice, and strengths-based approaches will inform your daily interactions and help shape effective, holistic support plans.

• Social Perceptiveness and Empathy

Being attuned to the emotions and behaviours of others enables you to pick up on subtle cues and respond in ways that make people feel safe and supported.

• Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (2005)

You’ll be confident in assessing and supporting individuals in making their own decisions wherever possible, and in acting in their best interests when necessary, always guided by the principles of the Act.

• Familiarity with the Mental Health Act (1983, as amended)

You’ll be knowledgeable about the legal framework for the care and treatment of people with mental health conditions, ensuring rights are upheld and care is delivered lawfully and ethically.

• Commitment to Safeguarding Adults and Young People

Protecting the most vulnerable is at the core of this role. You’ll identify signs of abuse or neglect, respond appropriately, and ensure robust safeguarding practices are followed to maintain dignity and safety at all times.

Key Responsibilities

• Writing reports including social circumstances reports, CPA reports, and referrals for care needs assessments
• Attending in-person and virtual tribunals
• Participating in meetings including CPAs, MDTs ward meetings, monthly ward rounds, referrals meeting, restrictive practice forums, and safeguarding meetings and Clinical Governance.
• Attending morning handovers shared between social workers
• Liaising with community teams, family members, probation practitioners, and MAPPA
• Building therapeutic rapport with patients
• Planning and delivering family-centred events (e.g. Carers Day, seasonal lunches)
• Conducting family and friends screenings to determine visitor suitability
• Working collaboratively with the wider MDT

The successful candidate will work closely with a range of professionals, including Responsible Clinicians, Registered Mental Health Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, and Occupational Therapists. They will join a supportive Social Work team led by the Director of Clinical Services, who champions an open-door policy and an ethos of team success.

You will be responsible for managing a caseload of approximately 20 individuals, ensuring consistent, person-centred support and timely interventions across all areas of need.

Opportunities for career development through Career Pathways, work towards goals and milestones, to take your career in whichever direction you wish

• Support of an experienced and friendly team of colleagues
• 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off
• Enhanced disclosure cost coverage
• Comprehensive induction and commitment to on-going training
• Free on site parking
• Online benefits and cashback rewards
• Cycle to work scheme
• NEST pension option
• Blue Light Card application opportunity

Based on-site in the medium secure unit, Monday to Friday

Standard working hours are 9am–5 pm, Monday to Friday, with reasonable flexibility available through discussion with the line manager.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a positive, adaptable team player with 1–2 years’ experience in mental health. You’ll bring enthusiasm, professional integrity, and a willingness to support both patients and colleagues, while contributing fresh ideas to a dynamic and compassionate team.

• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary and community-based teams to assess and coordinate Section 117 after-care arrangements, ensuring that individuals discharged from hospital under a Section 3 or related provision receive appropriate support.
• Ensure person-centred care planning that promotes recovery, reduces the risk of readmission, and supports individuals in their community environments.
• Ready to take the next step in your Social Work career?

Job Advert Location Description

Knowledge & Skills

• A degree level social work qualification and GSCC (RSW) registration, together with detailed
• knowledge and comprehensive understanding of relevant legislation.
• Experience
• Experience within a Forensic, Criminal Justice or Mental Health setting where the role holder hasacquired well developed skills in the assessment and management of individuals with mentalhealth or forensic backgrounds.
• Autonomy & Impact
• Operating within the Code of Ethics for Social Work as defined by the British Association of SocialWorkers (BASW, 2003), the General Social Care Council (GSCC) Codes of Practice for Social CareWorkers (2002), the Mental Health Act Codes of Practice and Care Standards Act (2000) roleholders are responsible for managing their own workload effectively to ensure the completion ofthe core tasks as identified in the Social Work Department Service Specification. Role holders mustbe able to contribute to the development of safe working practices and demonstrate an awarenessof all potential risks to patients, colleagues and members of the public. They will take appropriateaction to deal with any identified risks.

Intelligent Problem Solving
Problem solving is based upon acquired knowledge, skills and experience usually requiring theadaption of new and existing systems and process in response to operational needs.
Responsibility Staff Role holders will receive regular professional supervision from a senior professional linemanager actively participate in the process of their annual appraisal by reflecting on andpractice and workload issues and continually providing evidence of professional development.

Budgets & equipment
Shared responsibility for the care and operation of standard equipment.

Informatics
Responsibility for the confidentiality, security and accuracy of assigned patient records, data
and information. Ensuring the accuracy and quality of documentation required for regulatory
and statutory purposes.
Communication & Interaction
Frequently manages highly complex, sensitive or potentially volatile situations whilst retaining theconfidence of patient, carers and families. The role holder also requires exceptional inter-personalskills.

Working environment
Operating within a secure establishment where the work requires emotional resilience and
experience in dealing with the demands of both mentally ill and personality disordered patients.

Special Features
A full driving licence is essential. IT literacy is also needed to enable the role holder to perform
their function effectively.