Job summary
*** this post is not applicable for Social Workers who wish to complete their ASYE.***
West London NHS Trust is one of the largest providers of mental health care in the country. We are also a leading national provider of secure and specialist mental healthcare. We currently provide community based forensic care to 8 North West London Boroughs and we are seeking new staff to join our teams. Our Forensic Services were recently rated as Outstanding by the CQC.
We have been chosen by NHS England to pioneer a new approach to support forensic service users in the community. The Specialist Community Forensic Team will work to transition service users out of secure settings, and support their ongoing recovery in the community. This can improve quality of life, reduce inequality, and give hope to people who may have been detained for many years.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for applicants for a Forensic Social Worker/ Social Supervisor committed to working collaboratively with individuals and providers in the community to find positive and safe ways of working with people who use these services. In particular:
1. You will work as part of the ground-breaking new team that will improve the lives of forensic mental health service users and their carers. This is a rare chance to be part of shaping a new service, providing opportunities to develop your skills and your career. The applicant must have a qualification in social work and be registered with Social Work England.
At WLNHST we don't just accept difference we actively celebrate it and support it for the benefit of our staff, our patients and our community. We are proud to be part of an equal opportunity workplace.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse providers of mental health, community and social care in the UK.
Our 3,982 staff care for people in hospital and in the community, helping them to recover and go on to lead full and productive lives. We aim to be the best organisation of our kind in the country.
We provide care and treatment for more than 800,000 people living in the London boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow, delivering services in the community (at home, in GP surgeries and care homes), hospital, specialist clinics and forensic (secure) units.
We're rated good overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Together, we're committed to promoting hope and wellbeing, working with patients, service users, carers, families and partners across the communities we serve.
We are keen to ensure that our workforce reflects the community it serves, particularly in terms of ethnicity, gender, disability, LGBTQ+ and experience of mental illness.
Date posted
09 April 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£42,939 to £50,697 a year Per Annum Inclusive of HCAS
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
222-SF-608
Job locations
St Bernards, Southall, UB1 3HW
Job description
For the detailed job description and main responsibilities please refer to the file attached to this vacancy.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
* Degree in Social Work or DipSW or CQSW
* Social Work England registration
* Post-qualifying training (with again formally or through evidenced on-the-job training) in relevant areas of social work and/or mental health
* Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
* AMHP qualification
* 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
Essential
* Experience of working with individuals with mental health problems
* Experience of multidisciplinary team working, and promoting a social work/social care perspective
* Experience of presenting reports in formal setting, e.g. First Tier Tribunals Mental Health and Associate Hospital Managers Hearings
* 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
Desirable
* Experience of working in an inpatient 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 Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Knowledge
Essential
* 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 of various levels of seniority across health and social care
* Knowledge of how to work effectively with professional networks to foster collaborative approaches and achieve results
Desirable
* Specialist knowledge in engaging with people with personality disorder and forensic histories
* Group facilitation skills
Personal Qualities
Essential
* 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 (subject to Occupational Health clearance)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer name: West London NHS Trust
Address: St Bernards, Southall, UB1 3HW
Employer's website: https://www.westlondon.nhs.uk
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