Lead Social Worker

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Lead Social Worker for its Forensic Mental Health Service. This pivotal role involves providing leadership and supervision within a multidisciplinary team, ensuring high-quality social work services for patients in a secure unit. The successful candidate will undertake comprehensive assessments, lead safeguarding initiatives, and manage statutory responsibilities. With a commitment to transforming mental health care, this organization offers a supportive environment for professional growth and development. Join a dedicated team making a difference in the lives of individuals with complex mental health needs.

Benefits

Flexible working

Career development opportunities

Inclusive work environment

Supportive team culture

Qualifications

• Significant experience in social work and mental health practice.
• Ability to lead and supervise social workers in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for social work across forensic services.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments and compile social histories.
• Lead safeguarding issues and liaise with local safeguarding teams.

Skills

Leadership in social work

Mental health legislation knowledge

Risk assessment and management

Communication skills

Counseling skills

Group work skills

Clinical skills in forensic settings

Education

Recognised UK social work qualification

Post qualifying training in social work

Approved Social Worker/AMHP training

Job description

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

We are excited to be able to offer an experienced, independent, innovative individual with the skills, enthusiasm and vision, an opportunity to become the Lead Social Worker for the Forensic Mental Health Service at South-West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust - at the Shaftesbury Clinic based at Springfield Hospital.

The Forensic service provides short- and long-term hospital admissions to both males / female patients suffering from severe and enduring mental health problems such as psychotic illness, bipolar affective disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. We provide admission under the Mental Health Act within levels medium security which is generally agreed with the referring team, court and Ministry of Justice.

The lead forensic social worker works as part of the MDT on Ruby Ward, which is a 10 bedded female medium secure unit, providing social work intervention within an inpatient setting

Main duties of the job

This is a pivotal role in supporting to undertake comprehensive assessments, compiling detailed social histories, leading on Safeguarding Adults and Children within the multidisciplinary team, planning for patient's discharges and will carry out statutory responsibilities of reporting upon patients' social circumstance in relation to mental health tribunals, CPA, and the hospital managers hearings. You would also be expected to make referrals to MAPPA for patients who are eligible. In addition to this you will provide supervisory responsibilities to the social workers, and supporting the social workers with their development, as well as undertaking managerial duties required for this role and those required for the service.

The post requires significant experience of social work and the concomitant to relevant areas of practice, theory, policy and legislation. Social workers are often called upon to provide clarity and direction in sensitive and complex situations.

About us

We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.

This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.

We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.

Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.

Job responsibilities

To provide leadership for social work across the forensic services, providing direct supervision and social work management for forensic social workers

To provide social work services for patients on Ruby Ward and work as part of the multi-disciplinary team in a professional role as social worker.

To provide leadership for safeguarding issues and liaising with the clients relevant local safeguarding teams as necessary.

To lead on the MCA 2005, the MHA 1983 and the Care Act 2014 as appropriate to client needs.

To be involved in providing assessment, treatment, consultation and supervision. Detailed assessments of clients and providing support and advice on complex cases.

Taking responsibility for the social care and social work elements of practice and innovations for the forensic service.

To liaise clearly and collaboratively with the services multi-disciplinary team and with external teams and providers as required.

To join colleagues in assessment and planning meetings both for the inpatient services and community services.

To lead on funding applications to the Local Authority and CCG- Placements/ Local Authority Housing Departments

Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

• Recognised UK social work qualification e.g. Social Work Degree, CQSW, CSS or Dip SW or recognised international equivalent and current eligibility for registration with the GSCC
• Post qualifying training (whether gained formally and accredited or through evidenced on-the-job training) in relevant areas of social work and/or mental health
• Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
• Further relevant training e.g. group work, family therapy
• Approved Social Worker/AMHP or willing to undergo training as an AMHP

Experience

• Post qualifying experience as a social worker. Experience of working autonomously within a multi-disciplinary environment
• Experience of working with people with complex mental health needs.
• Experience of working in an inpatient mental health setting
• Experience of working with service users in forensic services
• Experience of working with adults with substance misuse or dual diagnosis
• Demonstrate experience or skills to develop a positive leadership for social work profession in a MDT setting, as well as across wider Trust

Knowledge & Skills

• Specialist knowledge of social work practice in severe and enduring mental illness and/or forensic setting
• Knowledge and understanding of current mental health legislation and associated guidance
• Knowledge of counselling skills, group skills, cognitive skills, and behavioural skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills at all levels in both Social Services and Health
• Demonstrate strength of experience in risk assessment & management
• Specialist clinical skills in relation to engaging with people with mental disorder who have committed an offense
• Teaching skills including training others

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.

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

£54,320 to £60,981 a yearper annum inclusive of inner London HCAS