Job summary
The Forensic Inpatient Social Work Team is now in its second year, set up as part of the ongoing commitment by the Thames Valley Forensic Mental Health Service, to build on the progress made over recent years, to enhance the quality of care it provides to service users on their wards, througheffective in-patient multi-disciplinary team-work, with integrated ward-based Social Workers.We are looking for a highly motivated Social Work professional who is keen to utilise their skills, and experience, to bring the social care perspective into the forensic mental health In-patient setting, to support service users in their recovery journey. The post will be suitable for experienced candidates who are resilient, enjoy working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and are sensitive to the needs of mental health services users, and the team, in a busy ward environment.This post will be based on Thames House, our Enhanced Low Secure Service for Women, on the Littlemore Mental Health Centre site, in Oxford. It is available as a 6-month position, to cover the current post-holder who is on a training course. The successful candidate will be part of the Thames House senior leadership team, and will be supported by a Deputy Team Manager, and other members of the Forensic Inpatient Social WorkTeam across the Service.This post attracts an additional Forensic Lead Allowance (RSU allowance) of £1440 per annum, on top of the annual salary.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work within a designated inpatient ward as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT). They will contribute to pre-admission assessments, particularly focusing on identifying any social issues that are relevant to the persons circumstances. The post holder will identify any potential barriers to discharge at the earliest possible stage and work with others to help overcome these. They will provide support to the wider ward team in regard to both children's and adult safeguarding responsibilities. The post holder will work with partner organisations and the wider MDT to ensure risk is managed effectively. They will contribute to the ongoing care planning for in-patients. The post holder will link with relevant colleagues, local authorities and CCGs to ensure that patients are assessed under the Care Act 2014 and that their Section 117 needs are assessed in a timely manner to support discharge as well as contributing to effective discharge plans in collaboration with the patient and their family. They will contribute to various forums including Mental Health Tribunals and Mental Health Act Hospital Managers' Hearings. The post holder will demonstrate the skills to maintain their Social Work professional identity and assert the social perspective when working within an inpatient environment
About us
Benefits of working for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust include:
- Excellent opportunities for career progression
- 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, with an increase to 33 days with continuous service
- NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
- Staff accommodation
- Competitive pension scheme
- Lease car scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- New starters have a 6 month probationary period. This, together with the induction process aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To contribute to pre-admission assessments of patients referred to Forensic Services. This will include ascertaining information on section 117 responsibility, where applicable identifying nearest relatives and appropriate family, determining previous input from mental health services and other relevant agencies and identifying any potential child protection or family issues.
Identify social care issues on admission/ongoing and ensure that referrals to housing/ welfare benefits are made and that any issues regarding property and tenancy are dealt with at an early stage.
To have a working knowledge of relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Care Act and to contribute to assessments of needs within the Care Act 2014 and Section 117 Aftercare needs, working with Local Authority and Health partners to ensure arrangements are made for effective discharge planning.
Please see attached Job Description/Person Specification for full details.
(This post attracts an additional Forensic Lead Allowance (RSU) £1440 per annum)
Job description
Job responsibilities
To contribute to pre-admission assessments of patients referred to Forensic Services. This will include ascertaining information on section 117 responsibility, where applicable identifying nearest relatives and appropriate family, determining previous input from mental health services and other relevant agencies and identifying any potential child protection or family issues.
Identify social care issues on admission/ongoing and ensure that referrals to housing/ welfare benefits are made and that any issues regarding property and tenancy are dealt with at an early stage.
To have a working knowledge of relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Care Act and to contribute to assessments of needs within the Care Act 2014 and Section 117 Aftercare needs, working with Local Authority and Health partners to ensure arrangements are made for effective discharge planning.
Please see attached Job Description/Person Specification for full details.
(This post attracts an additional Forensic Lead Allowance (RSU) £1440 per annum)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional Qualification (Degree or equivalent in Social Work)
- Professional Registration
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Desirable
- Post graduate education specifically relating to client group
- AMHP Qualification
Experience
Essential
- To have relevant experience which should include working with adults with mental health difficulties
- To have experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of statutory, and non-statutory report writing
- To have experience of safeguarding vulnerable Adults
- Experience of assessing care needs
- To have awareness of national and local policy frameworks concerning mental health
Desirable
- To have a good knowledge of community mental health services
- To have experience of working with people with mental health needs in an in-patient setting.
- To have experience of undertaking audits
- To have experience of supervising student placements
- To have experience of attending Mental Health Tribunals and/or MHA Managers' Hearings
- To have a good understanding of Clinical Governance
- To have experience of supervising staff
- To have worked within the Criminal Justice framework
Knowledge
Essential
- To be IT literate
- To have excellent English verbal and written communication skills
- To be able to prioritise effectively
- To show evidence of sound problem solving skills
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional Qualification (Degree or equivalent in Social Work)
- Professional Registration
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Desirable
- Post graduate education specifically relating to client group
- AMHP Qualification
Experience
Essential
- To have relevant experience which should include working with adults with mental health difficulties
- To have experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of statutory, and non-statutory report writing
- To have experience of safeguarding vulnerable Adults
- Experience of assessing care needs
- To have awareness of national and local policy frameworks concerning mental health
Desirable
- To have a good knowledge of community mental health services
- To have experience of working with people with mental health needs in an in-patient setting.
- To have experience of undertaking audits
- To have experience of supervising student placements
- To have experience of attending Mental Health Tribunals and/or MHA Managers' Hearings
- To have a good understanding of Clinical Governance
- To have experience of supervising staff
- To have worked within the Criminal Justice framework
Knowledge
Essential
- To be IT literate
- To have excellent English verbal and written communication skills
- To be able to prioritise effectively
- To show evidence of sound problem solving skills
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).
