HEO Senior Mental Health Social Worker

Ministry of Defence (Defence Medical Services); Northallerton; On-site; GBP 37,000; Part time

Job summary

A government health department is seeking a Senior Mental Health Social Worker. This part-time role requires extensive experience in mental health services and a degree in Social Work. The successful candidate will provide support in mental health care and manage a caseload effectively while adhering to relevant legislation. Salary is £36,530 per annum, pro-rata for part-time hours.

Benefits

Civil Service pension

Access to gym

Flexible working options

Free parking

Qualifications

• Registered Mental Health Social Work Practitioner with relevant qualifications.
• Significant post-qualification experience within mental health services.
• Willingness to train in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective Mental Health Social Work in support of the mental health team.
• Manage patient caseloads as directed by clinical team leads.
• Advise on safeguarding issues as DCMH Safeguarding Lead.

Skills

Mental Health Social Work

Knowledge of relevant social care legislation

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Degree in Social Work

Registered with Social Work England

Job description

Overview

HEO Senior Mental Health Social Worker – Ministry of Defence (Defence Medical Services).

The closing date is 24 September 2025.

Part-time role, 17 hours per week. Based in the Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) at RAF Leeming.

Benefits

• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%.
• Access to gym.
• Free parking.
• Environment with flexible working options.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will provide effective Mental Health Social Work (MHSW) in support of the designated Mental Health Team.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective MHSW in support of the Department of Community Mental Health, Defence Mental Health Social Work Service and the wider Defence Mental Health Services.
• Contribute to the development of service delivery, suggesting developmental initiatives in support of observations.
• Manage patient caseloads according to Defence Community Mental Health (DCMH) allocation processes and practices as directed by the clinical team lead/manager and the MHSW Regional Lead.
• Support the management of the DCMH by providing direct delivery advice for MHSW to the DCMH line manager and/or the MHSW Regional Lead.
• Support management and DCMH by providing advice and support on safeguarding issues and practice as DCMH Safeguarding Lead.
• Undertake additional clinical/management tasks as appropriate to the grade and role, as agreed with line manager/Regional lead/HoS.

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

Selection process

The sift stage will be based on your CV. Ensure your CV demonstrates the required skills, knowledge, experience, qualifications and memberships, with personal details removed before submission.

Please provide information on how you meet the criteria set out in the Job Description and include examples of how you have tackled similar tasks or demonstrated the skills.

At interview, you will be tested against the following behaviours:

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Artificial Intelligence can support your application, but all examples must be truthful and taken from your own experience. Plagiarism may lead to withdrawal of the application. See candidate guidance for appropriate use.

https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/artificial-intelligence-and-recruitment/

Further information

The sift will be completed within 10 working days of the vacancy closing date. Interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed.

No travel expenses reimbursement for the interview.

Requests to work flexibly will be considered. Salary pro-rata for part-time hours.

All new Civil Service hires are subject to a 6-month probation period. Successful candidates must meet security requirements; the level of security needed is a security check.

Qualifications

• Must be an appropriately qualified and experienced Mental Health Social Work Practitioner. Registered with Social Work England/SSC/CCW or NICSS.
• Degree in Social Work or equivalent Diploma in Social Work (DipSW)/CQSW.
• Continued professional development and willingness to train in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as required.
• Knowledge of relevant social care legislation (MHA, MCA including DoLS/LPS, Care Act, ECHR) and safeguarding.
• Significant post-qualification experience within mental health services, including risk assessment and management of a caseload in a multi-professional setting.
• Understanding of mental disorders and recovery-oriented treatment options.

Experience

• A full UK driving licence.

Additional information

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A DBS submission is required.

Salary: £36,530 per annum, pro rata for part time.