South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Social Worker to provide exceptional care and support for individuals with mental health needs. This role offers a unique opportunity to work in a highly inclusive and innovative environment committed to improving lives through outstanding mental health services.
For qualified candidates, visa sponsorship is available, making this an excellent opportunity for international professionals looking to further their careers in the UK.
About the Trust
South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust takes pride in fostering a culture of belonging and inclusivity. With a legacy of expert services and a strong commitment to providing exceptional care for individuals with mental ill-health, the Trust aspires to achieve an ‘outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission, building on its current ‘good’ status.
This is an exciting time to join the Trust as it transforms the way it cares for communities, supporting its mission of Making Life Better Together. The organisation has recently opened two state-of-the-art mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, recognised as some of the best in the world. Plans for further developments across sites and services are already underway.
The Trust values diversity and Inclusivity, actively working to be an anti-racist organisation. It seeks to attract individuals from all backgrounds and experiences, enriching its work and strengthening its connection with local communities through co-production and involvement.
With flexible working options, career development opportunities, and a range of benefits, South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust provides a positive and supportive environment where its teams and their careers can thrive.
Apply now to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and be part of a Trust dedicated to transforming mental health care.
Position: Social Worker
Salary: £44,806 to £53,134 a year, pro rata
Job Type: Full Time
Location: London, UK
About the Role
We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and hard-working Band 6 social worker to work with the multi-disciplinary team on Hume ward.
Hume ward is a 15 bed Male Low Secure Unit ward, currently located on the Springfield Hospital site, part of Southwest London and St Georges NHS Trust Forensic service, Shaftesbury Clinic. We are part of the South London Mental Health Partnership (with SLAM and Oxleas) and Quality Network for Forensic Mental Health Services sharing learning, expertise and innovation and improve the quality of care and treatment of service users and the development of staff.
Hume ward is a Forensic Inpatient Low secure ward which provides short- and long-term hospital admissions to male patients suffering from serious mental health problems such as psychotic illness, bipolar affective disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Admissions are generally agreed with the referring team/court/Ministry of Justice.
Our Multidisciplinary team are responsible for assessing, managing and reducing the risk to patients and the community whilst in our care. The team comprises of Mental Health Nurses, Forensic Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Dance and Movement Therapists, Social Worker, Discharge Co Ordinator, Recovery Workers and administrative staff. The team works in collaboration with the referring team to help the patient move back to an appropriate community setting as soon as possible.
Social worker post are only open to staff with a social workers registration, obtained as a result of completing a qualification recognised by British Social Worker Association (BASWA).
The post holder will provide social work service to the multidisciplinary team working with forensic inpatients, undertake comprehensive assessments, compiling detailed social histories, leading on Safeguarding Adults and Children; and will carry out statutory responsibilities of reporting upon patient’s social circumstance in relation to mental health tribunals and hospital managers hearings.
The post holder will contribute with social work skills, perspective and statutory functions to the assessment and treatment of adult patients in the forensic service, ensure patients have access to Local authority services and resources to which they are entitled and to ensure social care duties are fully discharged either by the Trust or directly by relevant Local Authorities.
The post holder will join with multidisciplinary colleagues in the assessment, consultation and treatment, and discharges of clients. We are an innovative service and are constantly striving to improve the quality of the service we provide. You will therefore be expected to engage in ongoing professional development, appraisals and supported to maintain an AMHP warrant and attend appropriate training.
Main Duties
- To be accountable for a social work role and function within the multidisciplinary team.
- To play a lead role in facilitating understanding, and clear communication between all relevant parties concerned with safeguarding adults and children procedures as they apply in the ward setting. In conjunction with the responsible clinician and multidisciplinary team, to take responsibility for liaison and ensure that adult and child protection concerns are reported in accordance with the Care Act & any additional Social Services Department and Department of Health guidelines.
- To communicate complex and sensitive information to clients and their carers requiring empathy, negotiation and persuasion skills.
- To be responsible for ensuring that issues relating to carers, families and social networks of patients are properly addressed in care planning for inpatients and during transitions e.g. during moves to lower security environments.
- To be responsible for carrying out social work assessments in conjunction with local authority in relation to assessments of need, discharge planning, referring to local host area funding panels and responsibilities with regards to s117 of the Mental Health Act.
- To prepare comprehensive social histories on all new admissions in order to enhance the MDTs knowledge and understanding of the patient and see them in their social context.
- To be responsible for planning and organising complex activities, in association with other members of the multidisciplinary team, which include participating in therapy groups and social activities for patients and their carers/families.
- To plan ahead and proactively plan for a range of areas, such as planning for patients discharge, planning and preparing comprehensive reports such as social history reports, tribunal and hospital managers reports, CPA and s117 meetings. ]
- To contribute to assessment procedures and to assist other agencies in the performance of their statutory duties as appropriate, e.g. under the Children Act 1989, Care Act 2014, Mental Health Act 1983, Human Rights Act, Mental Capacity Act and the Criminal Justice Acts (various). To provide assessment and social reports as required in these instances.
- To provide advice and information on the above to colleagues within the multidisciplinary team.
- To take responsibility for ensuring that child care and safeguarding practices and procedures are adhered to with respect to all in-patients, day and out-patients with responsibilities for approving child visits to the service.
- To promote anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice and to work towards providing an equal opportunities service in line with South West London and St George’s and/or Social Services policies.
- To represent the views of the multidisciplinary team at external meetings where appropriate.
- To participate actively in multidisciplinary team meetings and to contribute to the development of team identity
- To contribute to and develop policies and procedures as appropriate.
- To undertake reasonably flexible hours and working patterns to accommodate increased client access.
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised UK social work qualification e.g. Social Work Degree, CQSW, CSS or Dip SW or recognised international equivalent and current eligibility for registration with Social work England
- Post qualifying training (whether gained formally and accredited 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
- Further relevant training e.g. group work, family therapy
- Approved Social Worker/AMHP
Experience (Essential)
- Post qualifying experience as a social worker .Experience of working autonomously within a multi-disciplinary environment
- Experience of working with people with complex mental health needs
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
Knowledge & Skills (Essential)
- Specialist knowledge of social work practice in severe and enduring mental illness
- Knowledge and understanding of current mental health legislation and associated guidance
- Knowledge of counselling skills, group skills, cognitive skills, and behavioural skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills at all levels in both Social Services and Health
- Ability to assess clinical situations quickly and use initiative
- Ability to work with considerable autonomy as a solo social worker in a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Specialist clinical skills in relation to engaging with people with personality disorder and forensic histories.
- Anger/anxiety management skills
- Research and audit skills
Benefits
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.
Required Documents
- CV/Resume
- Cover Letter
Application Process
Interested and qualified candidates should kindly CLICK HERE to learn more and apply
Application Deadline
January 9, 2025