Job summary
- Main area
- Social Work
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- 22.5 hours per week (Part time role)
- Job ref
- 342-SEC050-0524
- Employer
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Blackberry Hill Hospital
- Town
- Bristol
- Salary
- £35,392 - £42,618 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 22/05/2024 23:59
Employer heading
Band 6 - Forensic Social Worker - Blackberry Hill Hospital
Band 6
Job overview
Social Worker – Forensic Social Work Team - Full-time or Part-time
Salary: Band 6 Based at Secure Service, Blackberry Hill, Stapleton, Bristol BS16 1EG
With our further developments, this is an exciting time for our respected and greatly valued social workers in Secure Services. It is a supportive and vibrant Team with a very positive learning culture.
Join us in making a real difference to the lives of service users and build meaningful relationships with them and their family/carers. Contribute as they progress in their recovery. Work in partnership with local services across the region; including the co-located Specialist Community Forensic Teams, another new initiative.
Commitment to a social care perspective is essential, including maximising the quality of life for service users and balancing their rights with the protection of the public. You must work in an anti-oppressive manner, challenging any discrimination appropriately and safeguarding the vulnerable. You’d have a valuable role in intervening to improve their experience.
Previous experience in mental health services in a statutory setting is preferable. Knowledge of Part 3 of the Mental Health Act would be advantageous. However, we are also willing to consider those that are keen to work in this area if newly qualified or wanting to change specialisms - do please get in touch!
A social work qualification is essential as is registration with Social Work England
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will have a commitment to a social care perspective including maximising the quality of life for service users and balancing their rights with the protection of the public. There is a requirement to work in an anti-oppressive manner, challenging any discrimination appropriately and safeguarding the vulnerable. You would have a valuable role in intervening to improve the lives of individuals.
Previous experience of working with service users who have severe mental health problems is essential and some experience in a statutory setting is required. Knowledge of Part 3 of the Mental Health Act would be advantageous.
Social workers will work with multi-disciplinary teams and have work allocated to them from these teams as directed by the manager of the team. They will also take a joint responsibility for the workload of the social work team as required and when necessary. This will include the need to write reports to the required standard, as necessary and the need to attend meetings and tribunals as required by the service. They will, at times, need to provide cover for service users that are allocated to colleagues, when they are not available.
Social workers will be aware of their responsibilities towards protecting the vulnerable, which will include both children and adults; intervening and making referrals as appropriate and according to legislation and policy.
Working for our organisation
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
We encourage experienced applicants from all sections of the community.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To carry out the statutory duties and responsibilities within relevant legislation as prescribed by the Team / Line Manager
To manage a workload commensurate with level of competence, qualification and experience within the Department’s eligibility criteria and prioritisation of service delivery.
To undertake risk assessments for vulnerable adults and to be responsible for action in situations where service users liberty or safety is at stake according to agreed Trust policies.
To concentrate, as required by organisational needs, on specific areas of work and specialised of service user groups (eg. Mental Health, Learning Difficulties, Sensory Impairment, Drugs, Alcohol and Asylum Seekers).
To contribute to the development and supervision of other social workers and to undertake student supervision, depending on the level of experience and position on career progression schemes.
To concentrate on specific areas of project work requiring more developed skills.
To comply with Trust’s case recording standards and good practice in relation to presenting information to service users.
To provide / enter accurate information into computer-based information systems and ensure that records/information are accurate, up to date, secure and maintained, using IT in accordance with agreed data - entry system wherever appropriate, and the Data Protection Act.
Additional Accountabilities
To undertake complex work that requires inter-agency working and co-ordination.
To apply advanced knowledge of a wide range of legislation and policies.
To undertake and/or co-ordinate work with networks, communities and agencies.
To contribute to the development of services, policies and practices within legislative and policy frameworks.
To be responsible for the continuing professional development of self and contribute to the development of others. Experienced staff will be required to undertake student supervision.
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
- Diploma in Social Worker or (relevant) HCPC Approved qualification.
- Evidence of recent training as a commitment to personal and professional development.
- Registered with HCPC as a Social Worker
Desirable criteria
- Relevant Post Qualifying Award
- Practice Teaching Award
- AMHP Award
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of multi-disciplinary working
- Statutory services
- Experience of working with individuals who have serious mental health problems
- A good knowledge of other relevant legislation (including the Mental Health Act and Care Act) and an excellent understanding of the principles and function of CPA and risk assessment
Desirable criteria
- Experience relevant to the work setting, (e.g. community, hospital or specialist service team)
- Two years experience of working in a relevant field within mental health statutory services
- Experience of working with mental health service users with a forensic history
- perience in working in a multiracial environment or of working with black people or people from other ethnic minority groups
Knowledge and skills
Essential criteria
- Evidence of understanding the statutory framework within which social work is provided.
- Ability to communicate effectively in the written word as evidenced on the application form.
- Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of equalities and anti-discriminatory practice and able to demonstrate ability to work in an anti-oppressive manner.
- An awareness of responsibilities towards safeguarding the vulnerable
- Able to assess risk, needs, analyse information and recognise problems
- Ability to organise and manage time constraints and balance conflicting demands
- Clear analytical skills in assessing interacting/ competing factors.
- Computer literate and basic numeracy skills
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Richard Prior
- Job title
- Forensic Social Work Manager & Social Care Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01174506337
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