Job summary
The Inpatient Social Worker role requires excellent interpersonal and leadership skills to support the Acute Mental Health Service Line with discharge coordination, navigational worker, Senior support workers and other clinicians within an MDT. The post holder will direct efforts on behalf of individual patients at heightened risk of ongoing stay on an acute ward once clinically ready for discharge.
The purpose of a Social Worker in Adult Social Care is to complete assessments including Care Act 2014 and enhance eligible people's well-being. In addition to abiding by the practice standards set down by Social Work England (SWE), Social Workers need to apply a wide range of knowledge and skills to understand and build relationships, and work directly with individuals, their families, and carers in a strengths-based way, to enable and empower them to achieve best outcomes.
They will work closely with both Acute Mental Health Units in identifying all barriers to allow for discharge planning upon admission in a manner that is implemented in a least restrictive process manner.
The post holder will work closely with their inpatient colleagues, community teams, voluntary sectors, housing and substance misuse services. The role will include working within statutory frameworks to undertake assessments, plan care and support the best use of available resources to enable people to have better standard of life.
Main duties of the job
Social Workers play a key role in safeguarding adults who are at risk of harm/or have been harmed, the expectation is that the post holder with work closely with patient's friends, family/carers to facilitate discharge. They will ensure that the estimated discharge date identified during reviews is progressed where possible and feasible.
This is a unique role that offers exposure to skills development across services, business functions and discharge coordination through means of providing social care support.
oTo work within the regulation of the Care Act 2014 and other relevant statutory frameworks.
oTo apply Social Work principles and values to professional practice and to emulate our corporate values in all interactions with patients, colleagues, and partners.
oTo effectively manage a reasonable caseload appropriate to the level of experience and to maintain adequate throughput of work. To discuss any challenges with caseload management with your line manager in a timely way to access any necessary support with prioritisation.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
We will close the advert once sufficient numbers are received
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
We will close the advert once sufficient numbers are received
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Current professional registration in relevant clinical subject/practice e.g. Social Work,
- Evidence of post qualification training/education.
- Ongoing evidence of continuing professional development.
- A commitment to completing full quality
- improvement development as outlined in the trust strategy
Desirable
- Training in providing supervision, mentorship or equivalent, or willingness to undertake training.
- Post Graduate degree (in relevant subject).
- To have completed or be working towards accredited courses which enable potential development
- Recognised training that supports clinical practice (Psychosocial Intervention or DBT)
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working at Band 5 or equivalent for 2 years.
- Experience of liaising with community agencies.
- Experience of working with people who have experienced serious ongoing mental health problems.
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience of implementing the principles and practice of the Recovery approach
Desirable
- Experience of implementing changes in working practices
- Experience of using and supervising others in the use of psychosocial interventions
- Experience of using quality improvement methodologies
- Experience of implementing and monitoring standards of care, including clinical audit and governance
Knowledge
Essential
- Sound knowledge and skills in risk assessment
- Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
- Clear understanding of the Mental Health Act, Care Act, Housing Act, Quality & Safety Governance, Clinical audit and relevant national policies
- Knowledge of recent initiatives across professional workforce
- Clear understanding of the process of Supervision
Desirable
- Ability to contribute to, monitor and implement changes and improvements to services
- Familiarity with budget control and management
- Ability to monitor and control resources
- Knowledge of performance management procedures
- Ability to think creatively about opportunities for practice development
- Appreciation of the ward/team manager's role and how to balance clinical and non-clinical responsibilities
- Knowledge of Recovery Model of care
- Ability to work within a Team
Skills
Essential
- An ability to develop, supervise, teach and manage junior staff
- Good IT skills
- Good organisational skills Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to influence others in clinical decision making towards discharge
Desirable
- Specialised clinical skills, e.g. group work, anxiety/anger management, CBT, family work skills
- Report writing skills
- Clinical audit skills
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to reflect, identify and take responsibility for continuing professional development needs
- Understand the need for and actively participates in own supervision and constructive use of feedback.
- High levels of initiative, innovation and self-motivation.
- Commitment to client-centred, non-discriminatory practice.
Desirable
- Able to demonstrate a strong professional identity.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Current professional registration in relevant clinical subject/practice e.g. Social Work,
- Evidence of post qualification training/education.
- Ongoing evidence of continuing professional development.
- A commitment to completing full quality
- improvement development as outlined in the trust strategy
Desirable
- Training in providing supervision, mentorship or equivalent, or willingness to undertake training.
- Post Graduate degree (in relevant subject).
- To have completed or be working towards accredited courses which enable potential development
- Recognised training that supports clinical practice (Psychosocial Intervention or DBT)
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working at Band 5 or equivalent for 2 years.
- Experience of liaising with community agencies.
- Experience of working with people who have experienced serious ongoing mental health problems.
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience of implementing the principles and practice of the Recovery approach
Desirable
- Experience of implementing changes in working practices
- Experience of using and supervising others in the use of psychosocial interventions
- Experience of using quality improvement methodologies
- Experience of implementing and monitoring standards of care, including clinical audit and governance
Knowledge
Essential
- Sound knowledge and skills in risk assessment
- Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
- Clear understanding of the Mental Health Act, Care Act, Housing Act, Quality & Safety Governance, Clinical audit and relevant national policies
- Knowledge of recent initiatives across professional workforce
- Clear understanding of the process of Supervision
Desirable
- Ability to contribute to, monitor and implement changes and improvements to services
- Familiarity with budget control and management
- Ability to monitor and control resources
- Knowledge of performance management procedures
- Ability to think creatively about opportunities for practice development
- Appreciation of the ward/team manager's role and how to balance clinical and non-clinical responsibilities
- Knowledge of Recovery Model of care
- Ability to work within a Team
Skills
Essential
- An ability to develop, supervise, teach and manage junior staff
- Good IT skills
- Good organisational skills Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to influence others in clinical decision making towards discharge
Desirable
- Specialised clinical skills, e.g. group work, anxiety/anger management, CBT, family work skills
- Report writing skills
- Clinical audit skills
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to reflect, identify and take responsibility for continuing professional development needs
- Understand the need for and actively participates in own supervision and constructive use of feedback.
- High levels of initiative, innovation and self-motivation.
- Commitment to client-centred, non-discriminatory practice.
Desirable
- Able to demonstrate a strong professional identity.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
