Forensic Social Worker

Nhs; Johannesburg; On-site; GBP 42 000 - 50 000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Forensic Social Worker to join their dedicated team. This role offers a unique opportunity to work in an engaging environment where you will apply your social work expertise to support individuals in high secure services. You'll engage in comprehensive assessments, provide guidance on safeguarding, and collaborate with various agencies to ensure the best outcomes for patients. With access to specialist training and development opportunities, this position is perfect for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. Join a team that values professional growth and impactful work in a supportive setting.

Qualifications

• Degree in Social Work with registration in Social Work England.
• Ongoing professional development in mental health and social work.

Responsibilities

• Provide social work support to families and carers.
• Conduct complex forensic risk assessments within multidisciplinary teams.
• Convey detailed social work analysis through formal reports.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Analytical Skills

Risk Assessment

Safeguarding

Report Presentation

Education

Degree in Social Work

DipSW

CQSWS

Job description

Forensic Social Worker Role

Forensic social work is a fascinating field where you can develop all aspects of your social work knowledge in a way that complements your practice and experience for future roles.

You will bring recovery, trauma, and social care perspectives to inpatients in High Secure Services.

While experience in forensic or mental health settings is desirable, we welcome applications from qualified/experienced Social Workers from other areas who can demonstrate strong transferability of skills.

As a forensic social worker, you will have access to highly specialist training and development opportunities, including risk assessment tools related to public protection, safeguarding, and clinical risk. There are also opportunities to participate in research, policy development, and engagement strategies.

Forensic social work allows practitioners to embody core social work values through in-depth work and analysis with patients, families, and carers.

You will deepen your knowledge of forums including:

• MAPPA
• Victim Liaison Services
• PREVENT
• Ministry of Justice
• UK Borders Agency
• Police
• Prison and Probation Services
• Integrated Care Boards
• Local Authorities

You will convey detailed social work analysis in a meaningful way that promotes safe care, treatment, and discharge.

Main Duties

• Be an expert within the MDT, providing meaningful social models and influencing clinical assessments.
• Use social work values to inform complex forensic risk assessments within MDTs.
• Provide comprehensive social work support to families and carers.
• Offer expert guidance on the Care Act to inform care planning and liaise with Local Authorities to ensure needs are assessed and met.
• Advise and guide colleagues on Child and Adult Safeguarding, Aftercare/RLA responsibilities, MAPPA, and Victim Liaison Schemes.
• Represent the forensic social work team to various agencies and forums, maintaining extensive liaison with the same bodies listed above.
• Convey detailed social work analysis through reports such as Social Histories, Admissions, Tribunals, and other formal processes.

About Us

West London NHS Trust is a diverse healthcare provider delivering mental health, physical healthcare, and community services. We operate Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the UK, and provide services across various London boroughs.

Our services are rated as 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commission, with forensic services rated as 'Outstanding'.

We are actively involved in the development of the North West London Integrated Care System and lead the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Job Responsibilities

The Candidate Pack provides an overview of key tasks and responsibilities, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. Please view the attached document for full details.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training include a Degree in Social Work, DipSW, or CQSWS, with registration with Social Work England, and post-qualifying training relevant to social work and mental health. Evidence of ongoing professional development is essential, along with qualifications related to the Mental Capacity Act, e.g., Best Interest Assessor training.

Experience required includes working with individuals with mental health issues, multidisciplinary team collaboration, report presentation in formal settings, risk assessment and management, working with families, safeguarding, supporting and training others, and experience within forensic mental health and offender services.

Knowledge areas include the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Human Rights Act, criminal justice legislation, and effective professional networking. Specialist knowledge in engaging with individuals with personality disorders and forensic histories is also required.

Personal qualities include strong interpersonal skills, analytical and judgment skills, ability to work autonomously, planning and organizational skills, and capacity to undertake statutory and mandatory training.

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Salary: £42,000 to £50,000 per annum, inclusive of allowances.