Social Worker

West London NHS Trust provides a full range of mental health, community and physical healthcare services for children, adults, and older people living in the London boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Hounslow.

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified Social Worker who has experience of or an interest in Forensic Social Work. West London Forensic Service, as part of West London Health Trust, is responsible for the in-patient treatment of adults detained under the Mental Health Act, who require medium or low secure levels of security in order to protect others and themselves. This includes providing a Social Work Service to those detained in conditions of low and medium security.

The successful applicant will be joining an experienced and supportive team to provide Social Work input to our low secure pre-discharge service. While it is desirable for candidates to have experience working within forensic and mental health settings, applications will be equally considered from qualified and experienced Social Workers working in other areas, as long as they can demonstrate strong transferability of skills.

Main duties of the job:

• Work collaboratively with individuals and providers in the community to find positive and safe ways of working with people who use these services.
• Be part of a new team that will improve the lives of forensic mental health service users and their carers.
• Provide opportunities to develop your skills and your career.

Minimum Requirements:

• Qualification in Social Work and Social Work England Registration.
• Degree in Social Work or DipSW or CQSWSocial Work England Registration.
• Post-qualifying training in relevant areas of social work and/or mental health.
• 3-4 years experience working with individuals with mental health problems post qualification and ASYE.
• Experience of working in an inpatient MH service.
• Substantial experience of multidisciplinary team working, and promoting a social work/social care perspective.
• Experience of presenting reports in formal settings, e.g. Mental Health Tribunals and Managers Hearings or similar statutory hearings.
• Substantial experience in risk assessment and risk management.
• Experience in collaborative care planning.
• Experience in working with families.
• Experience of child and adult safeguarding with mental health patients and their families.
• Experience in supporting and training others on Social Work or AMHP placements.
• Substantial knowledge of particular aspects of the Mental Health Act and its associated Code of Practice, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Human Rights Act and criminal justice legislation relevant to Forensic Mental Health Social Work.
• Detailed knowledge of identifying Responsible Local Authorities, Section 117 MHA, MAPPA, Victim Liaison, Carers’ Rights and child and adult safeguarding.
• Written and verbal communication skills to engage with patients, carers and professionals at various levels of seniority across health and social care.
• Demonstrate knowledge of actuarial and clinical risk assessment and how this might be applied to the management of clients.
• Demonstrate ability to supervise staff.
• Demonstrate ability to lead on projects and audits.
• Knowledge of how to work effectively with professional networks to foster collaborative approaches and achieve results.
• Interpersonal skills to manage highly complex emotional situations.
• Analytic and judgement skills, dealing with highly complex situations where required to express professional social work opinions.
• Ability to work with considerable professional autonomy as a solo social worker in a multidisciplinary team.
• Planning and organisational skills to manage a caseload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to undertake all statutory and mandatory training, including Breakaway.
• Qualifications relating to the Mental Capacity Act, e.g. Best Interest Assessor.
• Relevant training in group work, family therapy, substance misuse interventions, or offence work.
• Experience of community forensic working practices.
• Experience of working with Learning Disability and/or Autism Services.
• Experience of outpatient forensic mental health setting.
• Experience of working with offenders.
• Experience of working with adults with substance misuse or dual diagnosis.
• Experience of working with adults with Learning Disability and/or Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
• Specialist knowledge in engaging with people with personality disorder and forensic histories.

As an employee of West London NHS Trust, you have a responsibility to maintain a sound understanding of, and a commitment to uphold the National Health Service values and principles set out in the NHS Constitution.

West London NHS Trust is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.