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Oxford Health NHS Trust

Senior Social Worker - Inpatient

The closing date is 15 May 2025

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Job summary

Are you a qualified and experienced Social Worker seeking a new challenge in a dynamic and fast paced new environment?

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Senior Social Worker to join our dynamic and supportive multi-disciplinary team within our adult inpatient services. This is a pivotal role for a qualified and passionate individual who thrives in a fast-paced, recovery-focused environment, and is committed to delivering high standards of care to adults experiencing acute mental health difficulties.

As part of our team, you will work collaboratively with service users, carers, and professionals to support safe discharge planning and promote social recovery. You will carry out complex psychosocial assessments, undertake safeguarding responsibilities, contribute to Mental Health Act processes, and support our drive to provide strength-based, trauma-informed care.

Main duties of the job

This post will be a focal point ensuring effective patient flow from inpatient care. You will work with colleagues to report delayed discharges, particularly those service users who are ready for discharge and action is needed by the wider system to support a safe and timely discharge. The post folder will negotiate with team managers to ensure allocation, prioritisation and joint working to mobilise the service to ensure no-one deprived of their liberty beyond necessary.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide specialist social care assessments and interventions within an acute inpatient setting.
  • Lead and support safeguarding processes, including Section 42 enquiries.
  • Act as the lead professional for service users subject to the Care Programme Approach (CPA).
  • Liaise with community teams, local authorities, and partner agencies to ensure effective discharge planning.
  • Offer guidance, supervision, and mentoring to junior staff and students.

About us

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application you are encouraged to read the "candidate guide to making an application" which is attached to all roles. Please include details around qualifications (including years these were gained particularly if we need to assess for clinical roles that these are still valid) and ensure that the supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses the essential criteria found in the JD.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible.Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

  • Excellent opportunities for career progression
  • Individual and Trust wide learning and development
  • 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
  • NHS Discount
  • Pension scheme
  • Lease car scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Mental Health First Aiders
  • Staff accommodation (waiting lists may apply)
  • Staff networking and support groups

Details

Date posted

08 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-OA7159987

Job locations

Warneford Hospital

Warneford Lane

Oxford

OX3 7JX


Job description

Job responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Qualified Social worker with more than 2 years experience
  • Understanding of mental health conditions and models of mental disorder
  • Experience of supervising others

Desirable

  • Higher level qualification BIA/AMHP or other

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of the Care Act , Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and associated codes of practice and statutory guidance
  • Evidence of leading on s42 safeguarding enquiries using associated best practice models
  • Able to articulate and promote the social perspective of mental health and the importance of rights based, person centred approaches he
  • Evidence of understanding the legal and practical aspects of making applications to the Court of Protection
  • Importance of understanding housing legislation and the importance of legal literacy and advocacy

Skills

Essential

  • The ability to lead a team in a busy and dynamic environment whilst managing competing demands
  • Ability to manage complex situations using a range of interventions and communication methods
  • Ability to manage difference of opinion

Desirable

  • Leadership qualification
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Qualified Social worker with more than 2 years experience
  • Understanding of mental health conditions and models of mental disorder
  • Experience of supervising others

Desirable

  • Higher level qualification BIA/AMHP or other

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of the Care Act , Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and associated codes of practice and statutory guidance
  • Evidence of leading on s42 safeguarding enquiries using associated best practice models
  • Able to articulate and promote the social perspective of mental health and the importance of rights based, person centred approaches he
  • Evidence of understanding the legal and practical aspects of making applications to the Court of Protection
  • Importance of understanding housing legislation and the importance of legal literacy and advocacy

Skills

Essential

  • The ability to lead a team in a busy and dynamic environment whilst managing competing demands
  • Ability to manage complex situations using a range of interventions and communication methods
  • Ability to manage difference of opinion

Desirable

  • Leadership qualification

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Warneford Hospital

Warneford Lane

Oxford

OX3 7JX


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Warneford Hospital

Warneford Lane

Oxford

OX3 7JX


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Social Work Manager

Shabnam Akhter

shabnam.akhter@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

07844996920

Details

Date posted

08 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-OA7159987

Job locations

Warneford Hospital

Warneford Lane

Oxford

OX3 7JX


Supporting documents

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