Job overview
Rehabilitation and High Support Care Hub (RHS): Prospect Place is a 45 bedded unit made up of 3 wards based at Birch Hill Hospital, rochdale. The unit is for male service users aged 18 to 65 years, who have been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, for example > paranoid schizophrenia and are receiving treatment under the Mental Health Act.
Prospect Place offers a low secure forensic inpatient setting to support and promote recovery and daily living skills by offering interventions to increase the service user’s insight around their mental health, early warning signs, vulnerabilities and risks associated with themselves and others.
Role Summary: The successful candidate will meet the social care needs of in-patient service users detained under the Mental Health Act and will form part of a multi-disciplinary clinical team. This is a challenging role as the patients we care for often have complex needs and require intense care and treatment. Clinical and managerial supervision will be available as well as opportunities for Continuing Professional Development.
Main duties of the job
* To use professional knowledge to assess, monitor and review social care needs of individuals, relatives, and carers within specific care group in accordance with agreed competencies, quality standards and professional good practice in relation to case and risk management.
* Use professional skills, knowledge, and experience plus a range of interpersonal and communication skills to gather information in order to make full assessments of risks protection and social care needs of individual and family carers within relevant legal and statutory frameworks and agreed priorities.
* Refer to other agencies and make joint assessments where appropriate
* Offer support and guidance and work in a professional manner with patients’ carers and families.
Working for our organisation
About the Trust:
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust is proud to provide high quality mental health, learning disability and community services across a large area of Greater Manchester
Our vision is to enable a happier and more hopeful life for each and every person within our communities.
Our 4,500 staff work tirelessly to deliver the very best care and we receive excellent feedback from our patients. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we are a great place to work.
We offer the following benefits:
27 days annual leave rising to 29 (after 5 years) and 33 (after 10 years) plus 8 bank holidays- pro rata
* NHS Pension scheme
* A dedicated Staff Wellbeing Service
* Annual personal development review and support for continual personal and professional development A number of NHS discounts across retail, leisure and travel
* Flexible Working
* Staff Discount with Stagecoach and First Buses
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Provide for the social care needs of in-patient service users > detained under the Mental Health Act.
The post holder will be part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Carry out a range of social work responsibilities within framework of NHS and Community Care Act.
The post holder will be confident with legal duties under MHA 1983 and MCA including Safeguarding of Adults at Risk and Children
Have social circumstances report writing skills and ability to give evidence to MHT and reports to Ministry of Justice.
As part of the MDT attend Clinical Team Meetings, CPA’s and undertake analysis related work.
Understand multi agency information sharing in the interest of public protection and MAPPA procedures.
See JD for full duties
Person specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Social Work Qualification MSW DSW CQSW
* Ensuring current registration with the Professional Social Work regulatory body at all times.
* Further qualification in Family Interventions.
Desirable criteria
* Further qualification in Family Interventions.
Experience
Essential criteria
* Post registration experience of working with service users with complex mental health needs.
* Post registration experience of working in a multi-disciplinary setting
Desirable criteria
* Post registration In-patient experience working within a Low Secure Service
* Experience of working in a forensic setting.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Able to demonstrate applied knowledge of: Mental Health Act Mental disorder Safeguarding Adults Child Safeguarding Code of conduct
* Knowledge of a range of interventions appropriate to the needs of service users
* Understanding of MHA and governance
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
* Excellent communication skills with service users, carers, colleagues and other professionals
* Sound analytical skills particularly in risk management
* Able to plan and deliver packages of care
* Excellent IT skills
* Negotiating and motivational skills
* Good organisational skills - an ability to manage time, prioritise work and meet deadlines
* Able to work as part of a team including multi-disciplinary working with adults, carers and other professionals
* A passion for promoting the rights and entitlements for those who face discrimination as a result of a mental ill health
* Able to perform duties working in a stressful environment and engage sensitively with patients, service users, carers and relatives who have high levels of distress, anxiety and aggression.
📝 Application support - We recommend tailoring your application to each role you apply for, particularly your supporting information. This gives you the best chance of success. Your supporting information should clearly explain, with examples, how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.
We understand that some candidates may use AI tools to help prepare their application. This is not restricted, however, any AI support should only be used to enhance your own writing and must reflect your genuine skills and experience. You will be asked to talk about your application at interview. Applications that contain false or misleading information may be removed from the recruitment process.
We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.
✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email
🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with. These include:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -
The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
📣 Additional Information -
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.
If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.
Please note:
* We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.
* We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and need extra time or adjustments to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible. We will ensure you are not disadvantaged where a reasonable adjustment is appropriate.
If you have problems applying, contact
Address
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
225 Old Street
225 Old Street
OL6 7SR
Telephone
01617163181