Social Worker
Job overview
We are seeking a dynamic and compassionate Social Worker to join our Forensic Social Work Team at Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
As a Social Worker you will report to the Social Work Manager and contribute to the delivery of an excellent Social Care Service to a forensic patient population across four Clinical Care Streams at Rampton High Secure Hospital. This includes the National Service for Women, the National Learning Disability Service for men, National Deaf Service for men, as well as the Male Personality Disorder and Mental Health Service.
Main duties of the job
We are looking to recruit individuals who are confident, and committed to providing a high quality Social Care service to a caseload of up to 25 forensic patients and their families. You will be motivated to work as a part of a multi-disciplinary team and link with external agencies.It is desirable that you have an interest and understanding of issues affecting people in secure mental health services. We expect you to be knowledgeable about legislative frameworks and issues regarding safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
We welcome applications from under-represented groups, and have a strong commitment to anti-discriminatory practice. The successful candidates must be able to prepare and present complex reports in a variety of forums. You can expect regular supervision and support, and opportunities for professional development.
Please note that this post does not meet the pay level required for a Skilled worker visa.
Successful applicants with no prior NHS experience would normally be placed at the bottom of the band in line with Agenda for Change. This salary is below the minimum salary required for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker/Health & Care visa. In these circumstances the Trust would not, therefore, be able to sponsor for a Skilled Worker/Health & Care visa.
Applicants requiring a Skilled Worker Visa can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship against the relevant criteria here https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Working for our organisation
#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire.Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.
We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.
We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network.These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.
The health and wellbeing of our colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.
The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Providing a social work service in accordance with National Standards to a clinical caseload of forensic psychiatric patients detained in high security. Participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary clinical team (MDT), within a Clinical Care Stream and represent the Social Care Service internally and externally.This requires liaison to provide the interface between the MDT, family/carers, social care agencies and probation; identifying, assessing and managing risk whilst balancing public protection with quality of life and effective treatment for patients; identifying and challenging discriminatory structures and practices so as to engage effectively with patients and their carers.
Take a lead role in relation to safeguarding adults and children in particular procedures based on the Government Directions for visits by children to the High Secure Hospitals.
A full UK Driving Licence is essential, as you will be required to travel to other secure units within the UK.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.
Person specification
Training
Essential criteria- Mental Health Act 1983 as amended 2007, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Criminal Justice Legislation, Care Act 2014, Children Act 1989 & 2004, Human Rights Act, Equality Act 2010.
- Evidence of continued professional development relevant to the position
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Professional social work qualification: Masters, Batchelor’s Degree, Diploma or Certificate of Qualification in Social Work.
- Social Work England registered/eligible for Social Work England registration
- NQSW/ASYE or equivalent work experience at experienced social worker level
- Practice Educator Award, or willing to work towards or other post graduate qualification relevant to the position
Experience
Essential criteria- Previous experience working within the following relevant legislative frameworks; Mental Health Act 1983 as amended 2007, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Criminal Justice Legislation, Care Act 2014, Children Act 1989 & 2004, Human Rights Act, Equality Act 2010.
- Evidence of multi-agency and multi-disciplinary working with individuals presenting with complex needs and posing risks to themselves and others.
- Previous experience in providing professional challenge to restrictive practices and promoting the rights and freedoms of others.
- Experience of working within adult mental health
- Experience of mentoring, training and/or supervising staff, or students
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Knowledge acquired through post-qualifying experience, in the application of social work practice, relevant to individuals with complex needs who present significant risks to themselves and others.
- Application of social work practice, associated policies, theories, and frameworks relevant to: capabilities framework at experienced social worker level.
- Knowledge of how the Mental Health Act 1983 amended 2007 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 apply within a mental health hospital.
- Knowledge of how to incorporate culture, race and gender perspectives to underpin anti-oppressive practice and promote equal opportunities
Skills
Essential criteria- Ability to sustain and model engagement with people in fluctuating circumstances and capacities, including where there are negative responses, rejection of help, hostility and risk.
- Ability to gather information quickly and effectively so as to inform judgment for interventions including in crisis, and in response to challenge, or in the absence of sufficient information.
- Skills in autonomous report writing, including reports for court.
- Ability to work proactively as an effective member of a clinical team while providing professional challenge.
- Ability to offer advice to Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDT) regarding risk assessment and risk management.
- Ability to use IT systems and software packages to maintain accurate and comprehensive work records.
- Ability to contribute to developing and participating in educational, training and professional
- Demonstrate evolving leadership skills
Contractual Requirements
Essential criteria- Ability to travel to other secure units within the UK
Physical requirements
Essential criteria- Has the physical ability to perform the full range of duties including Breakaway training
- We reserve the right to close the post early once we have received a sufficient number of applicants.
- The Trust believes in treating everyone with dignity and respect and encourages applications from all sectors of the community. We guarantee an interview to candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum essential criteria.
- In submitting an application form, you authorise Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to confirm from your previous or current NHS employer and other prior employers; previous NHS service details and personal data held about you. This data will be transferred using NHS Electronic Staff Record and third party systems via an automated process and only used for the purposes of obtaining and maintaining accurate employment records, should you be appointed to the post. Should you require any further information please refer our Privacy Policy shown on the Trust website, please click here for more information.
- For eligible posts, DBS disclosures are mandatory before commencement of employment. If you are in a position that is deemed a regulated adult and/or child care role, you will not be able to start your employment until we have received a satisfactory DBS Disclosure. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Convictions which would otherwise be considered as 'spent' will also be checked as part of an Enhanced DBS Disclosure.