Senior Forensic Social Work Practitioner
- NHS
- Full Time
- Billericay
- 46148.00 - 52809.00 a year
Job Description
Job summary
We are looking for an experienced Senior Social Worker with experience in the community and forensic fields to join the Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT). This is a developing service that has been set up in response to the NHS New Care Models to improve the care of service users within the forensic mental health system. The SCFT works with mental health offenders from the Essex area who are being cared for within medium and low secure mental health units, primarily in Essex.
Main duties of the job
This role is part of the management team within SCFT and includes supervising the junior staff, acting up for the Clinical Lead, being part of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and to act as a care coordinator/social supervisor to a small caseload (3-5 service users) with complex needs. This role will start with a period of 'in-reach' work with our service users for six to nine months prior to discharge with the aim of building good therapeutic relationships; with the aim to engage service users in their care planning, relapse prevention work and addressing potential challenges after discharge. As part of the role care coordinators will be given the opportunity to attend specialist training in the forensic mental health field.
As the Senior Social Worker in the team you will lead on the understanding and knowledge of the role of social work within mental health, as identified by the five role categories for Social Work for Better Mental Health. You will need to support the MDT with the smooth transition of service users from secure inpatient unit to the community making sure they are placed in appropriate accommodation to meet their needs.
About us
EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;
- Season Ticket Loans
- NHS discounts for staff
- Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
- Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
- The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
- Day One Flexible Employer
The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment
Join our Staff bank
What is Staff Bank?
Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.
All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.
If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will work with the rest of the MDT and act as social supervisor/care coordinator for a small caseload of service users through the care system pathway from secure placement to community setting in self-contained accommodation, 24 hour supported care and intensive enablement placements.
The post holder has the responsibility of providing and enhancing services for individuals in secure settings pre, during and post discharge to support timely transitions to community settings.
The role will be embedded within a Multi-disciplinary team with a specific focus of expediting the safe, smooth discharge of service users specifically within Brockfield House and other secure services to a range of appropriate community placements. The post holder will be expected to provide care co-ordination for a small caseload and contribute to the development of robust risk assessments and care plans. The post holder would be required to attend regular inpatient reviews to monitor the progress of service users and to ensure that any potential delay to discharge is addressed at the earliest opportunity. The team will support clients across Essex.
The post holder is also expected to contribute and support the day to day operational management of the SCFT, offering support to junior staff, acting as a role model in the team, being part of the management team, being able to problem solve and work under your own initiative, deal with complex situation, working closely with families and carers of the service users, offer guidance on the Care Act (2014) & Mental Capacity Act (2005), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards 2009 and related Codes, the Human Rights Act 1998, Equality Act 2010.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Possession of recognised Social Work Qualification - Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent
- Registration with HCPC Approved Mental Health Professional.
Desirable
- Studying or willingness to study towards full Post Qualification Award in Social Work
Knowledge
Essential
- Multi-disciplinary Social Care experience within multi-disciplinary team - relevant to people with mental health difficulties.
- Evidence of partnership working with other agencies including Social Care Services, Health Services, Voluntary Agencies and/or Education
- Experience of undertaking assessments and other duties in accordance with the Mental Health Act 1983 and Amendments 2007 and the Mental Capacity Act.
- Knowledge and understanding of Social Care practice as defined by HCPC and appropriate legislation and guidance.
- IT skills to enable effective input and retrieval of data and information.
- Understanding of the Mental Health Act 1983 and Amendment 2007 and Equality Act 2010 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Human Rights Act 1998
Desirable
- A variety of experiences working with people with mental health difficulties.
- Practice teaching experience
- Understanding of social care resources and provision available beyond statutory agencies
- Awareness of government guidance and legislative changes across broad range of NHS and Social Care issues
Skills / Experience
Essential
- Literate in IT/Computer Skills
- Good oral communication skills based on fluency on the English language
- Demonstrates a commitment to highest professional and ethical values.
- Demonstrate the ability to provide and receive highly complex, highly sensitive or highly contentious information.
- Demonstrate well developed motivational, negotiation, training and empathetic skills as required.
- Makes ongoing assessments of frequently complex client needs and associated risks and demonstrates knowledge and understanding of wide range of resource options within budgetary framework/ constraints.
- Negotiates and implements effective plans for support, enablement, prevention, protection and monitoring, within department/government targets Offers practical suggestions and advice on long term implications of alternative courses of action in relation to quality of service provision.
- Supports development of self and colleagues through regular reflection on effectiveness of approach and the acquisition, dissemination and application of new knowledge and skills.
- Able to offer coaching and support to students and/or unqualified staff and supervise as required
- Communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to work in a multi-agency environment with an understanding of the differing responsibilities of statutory and non statutory organizations.
- Leadership and influencing skills with the ability to lead and motivate others.
- Flexible, positive and empathetic approach.
- Develops and sustains professional working relationships with clients, carers, colleagues and external agencies based on mutual trust, respect for individual rights and cultural needs, and the promotion of equality and diversity.
- Able to communicate effectively and sensitively with people using appropriate methods of interaction and respecting confidentiality at all times.
- Produces clear, accurate and concise oral and written assessments, records and reports to facilitate decision making within multi-disciplinary teams.
- Selects appropriate medium and format for communication internally and to meet the needs of service users.
- Co-ordinates and chairs meetings as appropriate
Desirable
- Well-developed IT skills and the ability to interrogate and evaluate management information in both written and computerised format
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Shares the Trust's Beliefs and models this in their attitude and behaviour:
- Ensures ...
