Lead Forensic Social Worker

Priory Healthcare; Stockton-on-the-Forest; On-site; GBP 52,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading mental health service provider in the UK is seeking a Lead Forensic Social Worker for their Stockton Hall facility. This part-time position (26 hours/week) focuses on providing high-quality, trauma-informed social work interventions for individuals with complex mental health needs. Responsibilities include team leadership, policy implementation, and collaboration within a multi-disciplinary team. Candidates must possess a degree in Social Work and be registered with Social Work England. Offering competitive remuneration of £51,326 per year FTE.

Qualifications

• Registered with Social Work England.
• Experience in forensic secure services or related mental health settings.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Act 1983 and Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership and supervision to the forensic social work team.
• Support recruitment and continuing professional development of social work staff.
• Lead the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
• Work as part of the Multi-disciplinary Team.

Skills

Leadership

Understanding of mental health law

Risk management

Inter-agency collaboration

Education

Degree-level qualification in Social Work

Job description

Stockton Hall is looking to recruit a Lead Forensic Social Worker to join the team. This is a part time role of 26 hours.Priory Stockton Hall is a long-serving medium secure hospital based in a quiet but well-connected village near the historic city of York. It serves the local Provider Collaborative and multiple National Collaboratives, depending on clinical need, and has had a long-running record of successful patient pathways.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Lead Forensic Social Worker to join our multidisciplinary forensic secure services. You will play a key leadership role in delivering high-quality, trauma-informed, and evidence-based social work interventions for individuals with complex mental health needs who are involved in or at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system.

You will lead and supervise a team of forensic social workers, contribute to service development, and act as a specialist advisor across teams. This role requires a strong understanding of mental health law, safeguarding, risk management, & inter-agency collaboration.

We take a personalised approach, using proven therapies to help people move forward with confidence and build a healthier, more fulfilling future. You will assist qualified staff with the assessment and implementation of individual patient care plans, undertaking routine tasks and activities as directed or delegated to facilitate wellbeing, dignity and treatment of patients

• Provide professional leadership and supervision to the forensic social work team.
• Support recruitment, induction, appraisal, and continuing professional development (CPD) of social work staff.
• Ensure social work practice aligns with statutory responsibilities, professional standards, and organisational values.
• Lead on the development & implementation of policies, procedures, and practice standards.

About us

Priory is the leading independent provider of mental health and adult social care in the UK. We support 26,000 people a year to move towards a healthier future so they can live their lives as fully and independently as possible. We treat more than 70 conditions, including depression, anxiety, addictions and eating disorders, as well as childrens mental health, across our nationwide network of sites. We also support autistic adults and adults with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, within specialist residential care and supported living facilities.

With over 13,000 colleagues working at Priory, we have a long and prestigious history, and an unrivalled reputation for making a real and lasting difference to the lives of every individual in our care.

Priory is part ofMEDIAN Group, a leading pan-European provider of mental health, specialist care and rehabilitation services, focussed on restoring quality of life through effective, evidenced and data-driven care.Priory is committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer, read morehere.All roles will be subject to a successful disclosure at an appropriate level from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Access NI or Disclosure Scotland. We are an equal opportunities employer. Priory will cover the cost of a DBS check.

Job responsibilities

To provide expertise and leadership in Safeguarding.

To bring clear focus on the rights of all service users and their families, includingthe ability to investigate, evaluate and learn from allegations to improve safety,dignity and compassion within the unit.

To work as part of the Multi- disciplinary Team focusing on prevention, earlyintervention, building resilience and self-care, reducing and delaying dependency.

To undertake assessments, care plans and where required Tribunal Report todetermine eligibility and support the access to services under relevant social careframework.

Within assessments and interventions, identify and address social exclusions, itscauses and effects on mental wellbeing and mental health.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will hold a degree-level qualification in Social Work and be registered with Social Work England. They must have a thorough understanding of current mental health legislation, including the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, as well as safeguarding legislation such as the Care Act 2014. Candidates should demonstrate experience working in a similar setting or show a clear willingness and ability to learn. A strong grasp of legal and policy frameworks, along with a commitment to ethical and person-centred practice, is essential.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Depending on experience£51,326 per year FTE