HEO Senior Mental Health Social Worker

NHS; Northallerton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

The NHS is seeking a part-time Senior Mental Health Social Worker to join their Department of Community Mental Health at RAF Leeming. This role involves providing vital MHSW support and contributing to service development initiatives within a flexible and supportive environment. Ideal candidates will demonstrate significant experience and qualifications in mental health services, alongside a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Benefits

Civil Service pension with employer contribution of 28.97%

Access to gym

Free parking

Flexible working options

Training opportunities

Qualifications

• Qualified and experienced Mental Health Social Worker registered with Social Work England or equivalent.
• Ongoing professional development in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
• Post-qualification experience in mental health services.

Responsibilities

• Provide Mental Health Social Work support to the Mental Health Team.
• Manage patient caseloads according to DCMH processes.
• Assist in safeguarding issues as DCMH Safeguarding Lead.

Skills

Risk assessment

Case management

Knowledge of mental disorders

Education

Degree in Social Work

DipSW/CQSW

Job description

Go back Ministry of Defence (Defence Medical Services)

HEO Senior Mental Health Social Worker

The closing date is 07 July 2025

Are you a highly skilled Senior Mental Health Social Worker looking for an exciting and rewarding role? Are you seeking job satisfaction, numerous benefits, and training opportunities? Would you like your career to take a different direction into a friendly and professional organisation?

If the answer is yes, then you would be well-suited to the Senior Mental Health Social Worker role that we have at the Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) at RAF Leeming!

This vacancy is part-time, offering 17 hours per week.

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

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay-related allowances, which could impact those allowances that the post currently attracts.

Main duties of the job

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

About us

Our success depends on our people—our Whole Force, including regular and reservist military personnel, civil servants, and contractors, all working seamlessly together to deliver results.

Our civil servants play a central role in developing strategy, making policy, and supporting ministerial decision-making and Parliamentary processes. With over 2,000 roles across 650 sites worldwide, now is an excellent time to join one of the largest, most exciting departments in government.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to attracting and retaining people from diverse backgrounds and enabling flexible working as the norm. We offer maternity, adoption, or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay, and an additional 13 weeks unpaid, as well as 2 weeks of full pay paternity leave.

In return, you can expect a department that supports your learning and development, recognises your contributions, and values your expertise both as an individual and as part of a team.

If you've ever wanted to do more, see more, go further, or be better, we have roles across many professions and vocations. Let's explore where your future can take you, together.

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

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

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

Selection Process

The first stage will be based on your CV. At the interview, you will be assessed against the following Behaviours:

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

A case study will be provided 10 minutes before the interview, which you will need to prepare and present.

Further Information

Ensure your application demonstrates your skills, knowledge, experience, qualifications, and memberships. Use real-life examples that relate to your own experiences when describing behaviours. The sift will be completed within 10 working days post-closure, and interviews will be scheduled later. Travel expenses for interviews are not reimbursed. Flexible working requests will be considered based on operational needs. The salary will be pro-rata for part-time hours. All new employees will undergo a 6-month probation period unless stated otherwise. Successful candidates must pass a security check. For tips on answering behaviour-based questions, see this YouTube link. Evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B (serology levels) will be required if successful. Qualifications and memberships must be held prior to application submission.

This role does not include relocation expenses and does not meet the criteria for sponsorship under the points-based immigration system. Applications requiring sponsorship will be rejected. The vacancy is part of the "A Great Place to Work for Veterans" initiative. The Civil Service promotes diversity and equality of opportunity. For adjustments or additional assistance during recruitment, contact this email.

The MOD enforces a Smoke-Free Working Environment policy across all Defence establishments, prohibiting smoking and tobacco use on-site.

Person Specification

Provide a CV

• Copy and paste your full CV in response to this question; uploading as an attachment is not permitted.
• Ensure your CV addresses the essential criteria to avoid rejection during shortlisting.
• Use double spacing where possible for clarity.

Qualifications

• Must be a qualified and experienced Mental Health Social Worker registered with Social Work England, SSC, CCW, or NICSS.
• Degree in Social Work or equivalent Diploma (DipSW)/CQSW.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and willingness to train in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as needed.
• Knowledge of relevant social care legislation including MHA, MCA, DOLS, Care Act, ECHR, and safeguarding standards.
• Significant post-qualification experience in mental health services, including risk assessment and working with complex cases.
• Understanding of mental disorders and treatment models, including recovery-oriented approaches.
• Caseload management experience in a multidisciplinary setting.

Experience

• A full UK driving licence.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This role requires a DBS check due to the nature of the work and legal obligations.