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- Tasks: Support the Lead Social Worker and manage a caseload of forensic service users.
- Company: Join a leading secure mental health hospital in Thatcham, dedicated to patient recovery.
- Benefits: Enjoy a salary up to £48,000, 33 days leave, free meals, and wellness support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patients' lives while working in a supportive, multidisciplinary team.
- Qualifications: Must have a Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
- Other info: Opportunities for career development and additional perks like retail discounts.
The predicted salary is between 38400 - 48000 £ per year.
Location: Thatcham
Service: Male & Female / Medium & Low Secure / PICU
Salary: Up to £48,000 per annum
Overview: We are seeking an experienced and motivated Deputy Lead Social Worker to join a secure mental health service in Thatcham, supporting patients across Medium Secure, Low Secure, and PICU wards. The hospital provides specialist forensic mental health services and supports a seamless internal care pathway for adult service users with complex mental illness, personality disorders, and challenging behaviours. As Deputy Lead Social Worker, you will play a vital role in safeguarding, service user recovery, and leadership within the Social Work team - working as part of an established multidisciplinary team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support and deputise for the Lead Social Worker in managing the Social Work team and quality assurance processes.
- Manage a caseload of up to 24 forensic service users, including assessments, CPA reports, Mental Health Tribunal work, and Managers Hearings.
- Lead and promote adult and child safeguarding within the service.
- Deliver safeguarding induction and update training across the hospital.
- Lead on non-medical mental capacity issues and best interest decisions within MDT forums.
- Provide supervision and appraisal to junior and senior Social Workers.
- Liaise with external agencies including MAPPA, Local Authority Social Services, CMHT, FIND, FOLS, Police, and Probation to ensure statutory responsibilities are met.
- Offer support to carers and families of detained patients.
- Empower service users to engage actively in their care plans and work towards recovery goals.
Requirements:
- Social Work qualification and Social Work England registration.
- Strong working knowledge of Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, and safeguarding legislation.
- Experience working in forensic mental health, secure services, or complex adult mental health services.
- Proven ability to lead, supervise, and support other Social Workers.
- Excellent risk assessment, communication, and report-writing skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and engage external stakeholders.
Benefits:
- Annual salary up to £48,000
- Equivalent of 33 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), plus your birthday off!
- Free meals and parking
- Wellbeing support and activities to promote work-life balance
- Career development and training opportunities
- Pension contribution and life assurance
- Enhanced maternity package
- Additional benefits including retail discounts, car leasing schemes, and more.
Service Overview: The service is a 130-bed independent hospital offering Medium Secure, Low Secure, and PICU services for male and female adults. It provides highly personalised assessment and treatment programmes for adults with complex forensic mental health needs, supporting recovery and rehabilitation in a safe, structured environment.
Deputy Lead Social Worker - Secure Mental Health Hospital employer: Eden Brown Synergy
Contact Detail:
Eden Brown Synergy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Lead Social Worker - Secure Mental Health Hospital
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and needs of forensic mental health services. Understanding the complexities of working with service users who have personality disorders or challenging behaviours will help you demonstrate your suitability for the role during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of social work, particularly those involved in mental health. Attend relevant workshops or seminars to connect with others and gain insights that could be beneficial in your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership experience in detail. As a Deputy Lead Social Worker, you'll need to showcase your ability to supervise and support other Social Workers, so think of specific examples where you've successfully led a team or managed a caseload.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act thoroughly. Being well-versed in these legislations will not only prepare you for potential interview questions but also show your commitment to safeguarding and best practices in social work.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Lead Social Worker - Secure Mental Health Hospital
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in social work, particularly in forensic mental health settings. Emphasise your qualifications, registration with Social Work England, and any leadership roles you've held.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that specifically addresses the key responsibilities outlined in the job description. Mention your experience with safeguarding, managing caseloads, and working within multidisciplinary teams to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
Showcase Relevant Skills: In your application, highlight your strong communication, report-writing, and risk assessment skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully led or supervised other social workers in previous roles.
Research the Organisation: Familiarise yourself with the secure mental health service in Thatcham. Understanding their approach to patient care and recovery will help you align your application with their values and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Eden Brown Synergy
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, and safeguarding legislation. Be prepared to discuss how these laws impact your work and the care of service users.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Deputy Lead Social Worker, you'll need to show your ability to lead and support a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully supervised or mentored others in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Highlight your experience in forensic mental health or secure services. Be ready to discuss specific cases or situations where you made a significant impact on a service user's recovery.
✨Engage with Multidisciplinary Teams
Discuss your experience working collaboratively with other professionals. Share examples of how you've effectively liaised with external agencies and contributed to a multidisciplinary approach to care.
