HEO Senior Mental Health Social Worker

Ministry of Defence (Defence Medical Services); Salisbury; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health organization in Salisbury is seeking a highly skilled Senior Mental Health Social Worker to support their Mental Health Team. Candidates should have a degree in Social Work and significant post-qualification experience in mental health services. Responsibilities include managing caseloads, providing advice on safeguarding, and contributing to service development. The role offers benefits such as a Market Skills Allowance and flexible working options.

Benefits

Market Skills Allowance of £5,000 per annum

Access to learning and development

Flexible working options

Civil Service pension

Free on-site parking

Professional registration fees reimbursed

Qualifications

• Appropriately qualified and experienced Mental Health Social Work Professional.
• Significant post qualification experience within mental health services.
• Understanding of relevant social care legislation, including Mental Health Act and Care Act.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective Mental Health Social Work in support of a designated Mental Health Team.
• Manage patient caseloads according to DCMH allocation processes.
• Support the management of the DCMH and provide advice on safeguarding issues.

Skills

Mental Health Social Work

Risk Assessment

Safeguarding Issues Management

Education

Degree in Social Work or equivalent Diploma

Registered with SWE, SSSC, SCW or NISCC

Job description

HEO Senior Mental Health Social Worker

Go back Ministry of Defence (Defence Medical Services)

The closing date is 09 February 2026

Are you a highly skilled Senior Mental Health Social Worker, looking for an exciting and rewarding role? If so, we would love to hear from you!

Benefits

• A Market Skills Allowance of £5,000 per annum (pro rata)
• Access to learning and development tailored to your role
• Flexible working options
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Free on-site parking
• Professional registration fees re‑imbursed

Responsibilities

• Provide effective Mental Health Social Work (MHSW) in support of a designated Mental Health Team
• Contribute to the development of service delivery and suggest 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 the MHSW Regional Lead
• Support management and DCMH by providing advice and support on safeguarding issues and practice as DCMH team Safeguarding Lead
• Undertake additional clinical/management tasks as may be appropriate to the grade and the role agreed in discussion with line manager/Regional Lead/Head of Service (HoS)

Qualifications

• Appropriately qualified and experienced Mental Health Social Work Professional
• Degree in Social Work or equivalent Diploma in Social Work (DipSW)/Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW)
• Evidence of continued professional development and willingness to train in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as required
• Understanding and working knowledge of all relevant social care legislation: Mental Health Act (MHA) (83), Mental Capacity Act (MCA) (05), Inc Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS), Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS), Care Act 14, European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) (98) and Adult and Children Safeguarding
• Significant post qualification experience within mental health services, experience in risk assessment and mental state

Person Specification

• Registered with the SWE, SSSC, SCW or NISCC

The Ministry of Defence embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. We are a zero tolerance organisation and you will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for bullying, harassment, discrimination or victimisation within the last five years.