Internal Consultant Social Worker (Think Ahead Programme)
This job is now closed
Job summary
Think Ahead is the national non-profit organisation that places mental health at the heart of workforce development in health and social care. We work in partnership with NHS Trust and Local Authority mental health services to improve efficiency and outcomes, by strengthening the contribution of social work.
We run a two-year programme training motivated graduates to be mental health social workers. We recruit 160 graduates a year, and they join partner organisations in "units" of four to six -- each unit is supervised by an experienced Consultant Social Worker for their first year. For the 2024 Cohort, we are partnered with Think Ahead for a unit of four participants.
About the role
We are looking for an experienced and inspiring social worker to take on the Consultant Social Worker role.
This is an exciting opportunity to progress your social work career, staying in frontline practice whilst developing management and leadership experience, and leading change within your organisation. You will share a service user caseload with the unit, providing practice education of outstanding quality, and enabling participants to develop high quality social work practice.
To equip you for the role, we will provide a fully funded and accredited training course, access to a network of peers, one to one support from Think Ahead and Middlesex University (our academic partner). You do not need previous experience as a Practice Educator, as training is provided.
Main duties of the job
Consultant Social Workers are at the heart of the Think Ahead programme and play a crucial role in preparing Think Ahead participants to become outstanding social workers.
In this role you will ensure that participants receive a high quality practice learning experience. You will work closely with the participants' Academic Tutor to assess their ability to apply social work theories, social interventions and legislation in practice, ensuring they develop skills and understanding to empower people with mental health needs. You will also have responsibility for the participants' wellbeing and welfare whilst they are on placement.
You will undertake Relationship Based Practice training. This covers teaching on Motivational Interviewing, Systemic Family Interventions and Connecting People.
Practice Educator Professional Standards Stages 1 and 2. Consultant Social Workers who are not PEPS qualified are expected to undertake this training. If you are already PEPS2 qualified, you will be expected to undertake a one day refresher training.
The Practice Education programme builds your skills to teach, supervise and assess participants on placement. Completing this course will enhance your professional social work skills and develop your capacities in critical reflection, supervision and professional leadership.
About us
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation, bringing together expertise from across mental health, learning disabilities, community, and physical health services. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality, and accessible care to the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
With over 13,000 dedicated staff working across more than 300 sites, we place patients and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our goal is to create an integrated healthcare system that improves accessibility and ensures more consistent care for patients. By working together, we aim to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation, and meet the unique needs of the populations we serve.
Our Trust unites services from Southern Health, Solent NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trusts community and mental health teams, as well as Hampshire CAMHS, originally part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This transformation enables us to deliver more seamless care across the region, ensuring that patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are deeply committed to our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, and offer outstanding opportunities for career development, training, and collaborative working.
Details
Date posted
08 April 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£46,148 to £52,809 a year Based on full time hours
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
348-MNH-7654
Job locations
68b Junction Road
68b Junction Road
Andover
Hampshire
SP10 3QX
Employer details
Employer name
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address
68b Junction Road
68b Junction Road
Andover
Hampshire
SP10 3QX
Employer's website
https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Supporting documents
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