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- Tasks: Join a multi-disciplinary team to support mental health recovery in an inpatient setting.
- Company: Oxford Health provides comprehensive care across Oxfordshire and surrounding areas, focusing on community-based services.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, NHS discounts, career progression, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in patients' lives while working in a dynamic and collaborative team culture.
- Qualifications: Must have a professional qualification in Social Work and be registered with Social Work England.
- Other info: This is a 12-month fixed-term contract covering maternity leave, ideal for motivated social workers.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 ÂŁ per year.
Job overview
This role includes an RSU allowance of ÂŁ1,446 per annum on top of your salary
The Thames Valley Forensic Mental Health Service is a forward-looking, and progressive service providing high quality care to service users on their wards, through effective in-patient multi-disciplinary team-work, with ward-based Social Workers playing a pivotal role.
The forensic wards include Medium-secure Acute wards, Medium-secure Rehab wards, Low secure Units, and a Pre-discharge Unit, located across three sites – Littlemore, Oxford; Milton Keynes; and Aylesbury, Bucks. This role is based at Lambourn House, our Open Pre-discharge Unit on the Littlemore Mental Health Centre site, and will be working on other wards within the site, when required.
We are looking for a highly motivated and resourceful, qualified and registered Social Work professional who is keen to utilise their skills, and experience, to bring the social care perspective into the forensic mental health In-patient setting, supporting service users in their recovery journey. This is a 12 month fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave, which can be offered as a secondment opportunity.
This role is ideal for an experienced Social Worker who is resilient, enjoy working as part of an MDT, and sensitive to the recovery goals and needs of service users as they work towards their discharge from hospital. The work-setting will require flexibility, and ability to hot-desk.
Main duties of the job
- Work within an inpatient ward as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT)
- Contribute to pre-admission assessments, particularly focusing on identifying any social issues that are relevant to the person\’s recovery, and general circumstances.
- Identify any potential barriers to discharge at the earliest possible stage, and work with others to help overcome these.
- Provide support to the wider ward team in regard to both children’s and adult safeguarding responsibilities.
- Contribute to the ongoing care planning for in-patients, and work with partner organisations and the wider MDT to ensure risk is managed effectively. You\’ll be linking with relevant colleagues, Responsible Local Authorities and Integrated Care Boards to ensure that patients are assessed under the Care Act 2014 and that their \’Section 117\’ needs are determined in a timely manner, to facilitate effective discharge, in collaboration with the patient and their family.
- Contribute to various statutory forums including Mental Health Tribunals and Mental Health Act Hospital Managers’ Hearings.
- Demonstrate the skills to maintain their Social Work professional identity and ability to assert the social perspective when working within aninpatient environment.
Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties
Working for our organisation
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the “candidate guide to making an application” and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.
As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”
Our values are:“Caring, safe and excellent”
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Contribute to pre-admission assessments of patients referred to the Service. This will include ascertaining Local Authority section 117 responsibility, and where applicable, identifying any family, carer, or child protection issues, as well as any other relevant agenciesinvolved.
- Following admission, to identify social care issues and ensure there is ongoing liaison with relevant agencies , so that any issuesregarding property and tenancy are dealt with at an early stage.
- To have a working knowledge of relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Care Act and to contributeto assessments of needs under the Care Act 2014 and Section 117 Aftercare needs, working with Responsible Local Authority and ICBpartners to ensure arrangements are made for effective discharge planning.
- To function effectively across a variety of environments (e.g. wards of varying levels of security, service users’ homes, inter-agencysettings, etc.) including contributing to home risk assessments.
- To work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team to assert the social perspective and assess, plan, and implement patient centredprogrammes of care/interventions within the Care Programme Approach, contributing to the continuous assessment of patientsto help meet their needs. This includes working in partnership with service users to assess progress against identified goals.
- Maintain contact with families and carers where appropriate, to identify needs including referring for Carers Assessments whenrequired.
- Compile both non-statutory and statutory reports including CPA Reports, Social History and Needs Reports, Social CircumstancesReports for Mental Health Tribunals and Mental Health Act Hospital Managers’ Hearings, and present at the Hearings, and meetings.
- Lead on Safeguarding issues, Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) referrals and to attend MAPPA meetingswhere required to present cases and discuss patients.
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the “supporting statement” element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
Person specification
Qualifications – Academic/Skills/Professional
Essential criteria
- Professional Qualification (Degree or equivalent) in Social Work
- Professional Registration with Social Work England
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Desirable criteria
- Post graduate education specifically relating to client group
- AMHP, BIA, or PEPS Qualification
Knowledge Requirements
Essential criteria
- To have knowledge of relevant legislation, e.g. Mental Health Act, Care Act, and the Mental Capacity Act
- To be IT literate
- To have good English verbal and written communication skills
- To have knowledge of Risk Assessment/Management procedures
Desirable criteria
- To have awareness of national and local policy relating to mental healthcare
- To have awareness of the Criminal Justice System
Experience
Essential criteria
- To have relevant experience which should include working with adults with mental health or learning difficulties.
- To have experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
- To understand and have experience of Risk Assessment and Risk Management
- Experience of statutory, and non-statutory report- writing
- To have experience of safeguarding vulnerable adults or children
- Experience of assessing care needs
Desirable criteria
- To have experience of working with the Criminal Justice System
- To have experience of attending Mental Health Tribunals and/or MHA Managers’ Hearings
- To have experience of working in a healthcare, in-patient setting
Documents to Download
Job Description and Person Spec (PDF, 368.4KB)
Guidance Notes for Candidates Applying for a job at OHFT (PDF, 424.6KB)
Recruiter Contact Details
Name: Reuben Ogwo
Title: Forensic Inpatient Social Work Lead
Email: reuben.ogwo@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
Telephone: 07768546970
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Forensic Inpatient Social Worker - Oxford NEW Oxford Posted today Band 6 Fixed term: 12 months [...] employer: Oxford Health
Contact Detail:
Oxford Health Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Forensic Inpatient Social Worker - Oxford NEW Oxford Posted today Band 6 Fixed term: 12 months [...]
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific legislation mentioned in the job description, such as the Mental Health Act and Care Act. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to understanding the legal framework within which you'll be working.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the Thames Valley Forensic Mental Health Service. They can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in multi-disciplinary teams. Highlight specific examples where you've collaborated effectively with other professionals, as this role heavily relies on teamwork to support service users.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to articulate your understanding of the recovery journey for service users. Think about how you can contribute to their discharge planning and what strategies you would employ to overcome potential barriers, as this is a key aspect of the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Forensic Inpatient Social Worker - Oxford NEW Oxford Posted today Band 6 Fixed term: 12 months [...]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure your supporting statement is specifically tailored to the Forensic Inpatient Social Worker role. Address the essential criteria mentioned in the job description and highlight your relevant experience and skills.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and supporting statement, emphasise your experience working with adults with mental health issues or learning difficulties. Mention any specific roles where you contributed to multi-disciplinary teams or worked in inpatient settings.
Demonstrate Knowledge of Legislation: Showcase your understanding of relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act, Care Act, and Mental Capacity Act. This can be included in your supporting statement to demonstrate your professional knowledge and suitability for the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a social work role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford Health
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with key legislation such as the Mental Health Act, Care Act, and Mental Capacity Act. Being able to discuss these laws confidently will demonstrate your expertise and understanding of the legal framework surrounding forensic social work.
✨Showcase Your MDT Experience
Highlight your experience working within a multi-disciplinary team. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've collaborated with other professionals to support service users, as this role heavily relies on effective teamwork.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex situations. Think about past experiences where you identified barriers to discharge or managed safeguarding issues, and be ready to discuss your approach.
✨Tailor Your Supporting Statement
Make sure your supporting statement is tailored to the role. Address the essential criteria outlined in the job description and provide clear examples of how your skills and experiences align with the needs of the position.
