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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 up to £48,000 salary, 33 days leave, free meals, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in mental health while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must have a Social Work qualification and experience in forensic mental health services.
- Other info: Empower patients and work with a multidisciplinary team in a structured setting.
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.
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 mental health legislation relevant to the role, such as the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in forensic mental health services. Attend relevant workshops or seminars where you can meet current employees or leaders in the field. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing complex cases during the interview. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams or supported service users in recovery, as this aligns closely with the responsibilities of the Deputy Lead Social Worker.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the hospital's approach to safeguarding and recovery. Understanding their values and methods will allow you to tailor your responses in interviews, showing that you're a good fit for their team and culture.
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 and secure services. Emphasise your leadership skills and any specific achievements that align with the responsibilities of the Deputy Lead Social Worker role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your motivation for applying to this position. Discuss your understanding of the Mental Health Act and safeguarding legislation, and how your experience prepares you to support service users effectively.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, provide examples of your risk assessment, communication, and report-writing skills. Highlight instances where you've successfully led or supervised other social workers, as this is crucial for the role.
Research the Organisation: Familiarise yourself with the secure mental health service in Thatcham. Understanding their approach to patient care and recovery will help you tailor your application and demonstrate your commitment to their values.
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. Being able to discuss these laws confidently will demonstrate your expertise and understanding of the legal framework surrounding social work in a secure mental health setting.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Deputy Lead Social Worker, you'll be expected to lead and support other Social Workers. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed a team or led initiatives, highlighting your ability to motivate and guide others.
✨Prepare for Case Management Questions
Expect questions about managing a caseload, including assessments and reports. Be ready to discuss your approach to handling complex cases and how you ensure quality assurance in your work, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Engage with Multidisciplinary Teams
Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively with various professionals. Prepare to discuss how you've effectively liaised with external agencies and contributed to multidisciplinary team meetings, showcasing your communication skills and teamwork.
