Forensic Social Worker
Welcome from our Chief Executive
Our organisation is expanding and we're looking for people with the right values, skills and/or potential to join us. We need people with energy, expertise, enthusiasm to help us provide the very best possible specialist NHS mental health and learning disability care.This involves helping us achieve our strategy to improve the quality of life for the communities we serve through People, Prevention and Partnerships.
So what can we offer you in return?
We're an organisation which puts people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. We'll help you learn, acquire new skills and gain further experience to support your career development. And we'll provide the opportunity for you to bring your fresh ideas to work about how we can do things differently and continue improving.
You will also be joining a health and care system committed to working together to do the best we can for the communities we serve. Above all, at Sussex Partnership you'll have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the patients, carers and families across our communities.
As a Trust we are committed in making a difference. Your development is important to us, so don't forget to ask us during interview what opportunities we can offer. We can offer fully funded lifelong learning opportunities such as an apprenticeship from GCSE to Masters level.
If you like the sound of that, then come and join our team.
Job overview
An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated social worker to join the Multi-Disciplinary Team based at the Chichester Centre, a low secure hospital managed by the Forensic Healthcare Service (FHS), to cover maternity leave. You will be part of the wider FHS social work team, working alongside people with mental health issues and challenging or offending behaviour, their friends and families and their professional network to develop care pathways.
As a Social Worker in the FHS, you must be motivated and hard working with a passion for delivering high quality care. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to effective team working, have excellent communication, assessment and risk management skills and be prepared to be actively involved in interventions to prepare people for discharge to the community.In return we offer a stimulating and supportive work environment, supervision, opportunities for personal and professional development, full trust induction and training.
Main duties of the job- Provide for the social care needs of patients with challenging behaviours and/or offending behaviour detained on the ward in conditions of low security.
- As part of multi-disciplinary team attend ward rounds and CPA's and undertake related work.
- Carry out a range of social work responsibilities within framework of NHS and Community Care Act.
- With training and support, develop an understanding of the legal duties as related to this client group including MHA 1983 (Part III), DVCA 2004 and MCA 2005.
- With training and support, develop excellent report writing skills and the ability to prepare and present evidence to statutory bodies such as MHT's, Ministry of Justice and Parole Board.
- With training and support, develop an understanding of multi-agency working in relation to risk management including information sharing protocols in the interest of public protection.
- Liaise with families, friends and social networks to gather information and to offer support and sign posting where appropriate.
- Understand, respect and work within Protected Characteristics of Equalities Act 2010.
Working for our organisation
Sussex Partnership was formed in April 2006 as an NHS Trust and established as an NHS Foundation Trust with Teaching Trust status in August 2008. We employ approximately 5000 staff, serve a total catchment population of more than 2 million and generate an income of £250 million.
The Trust delivers services via 5 Care Delivery Services (CDS), tasked with providing overarching leadership for care groups and / or geographical areas. Each CDS is led by an operational director and a clinical director, with a multi-disciplinary leadership team (including a range of clinical professions as well as business, finance, HR, IT and estates and facilities support staff) providing additional leadership and governance oversight.The CDS model supports continuous service improvement for patients and carers, is supported by Clinical Academic Groups and aligns with our Trust Values, Organisational Strategy and Clinical Strategy. The Trust strives to provide consistently high-quality services, working in partnership with each other, the people who use our services and other organisations.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities- To attend multi disciplinary ward meetings, CPA reviews, admission and discharge care planning.
- Bring knowledge of social care issues to the multi disciplinary team.
- Advise team through knowledge of MHA, MCA and on Safeguarding.
- Obtain and provide welfare benefit advice to patients.
- Deliver psychotherapeutic intervention with other members of the team.
- Visit out of area placements to monitor provision and plan care pathways.
- Visit high secure hospitals to assess with other members of team suitability of transfer to conditions of less security.
- Write reports and give evidence to MHT.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Social Work Qualification MSW DSW CQSW
Sussex Partnership NHS FT is committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our communities. Our workforce is currently under-represented from Black and Minority, Ethnic and disabled communities and we would welcome applications from these communities.
We regret that we are unable to advise candidates if they have not been shortlisted. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
In the event of an excessive number of applicants the Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy earlier than indicated.
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust takes its responsibilities for the safeguarding and protection of children and young people and vulnerable adults very seriously and expects this of all its employees and bank workers. The Trust works with adult and children’s social care to ensure that the integrated service has systems in place to equip staff and bank workers with the knowledge and skills to recognize abuse, and take action to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults and children and young people.It is expected that all staff and bank workers familiarise themselves with the appropriate structures and policies and with the Sussex child protection and safeguarding procedures and the Sussex multi-agency policy and procedures for safeguarding vulnerable adults and undertake the relevant essential training and further training appropriate to their role.
Successful candidates are normally offered salaries at the bottom of the relevant salary range. However, where previous or equivalent NHS experience in a similar role can be demonstrated and evidenced, this may be taken into consideration when setting the starting salary.