Job Title Deputy Lead Social Worker Location Berkshire Thatcham Salary £48,000 - £50,000 per annum Contract Type Permanent, Full Time Sponsorship Sponsorship is not available for this role Role Overview A specialist mental health provider is seeking an experienced Deputy Lead Social Worker to join a multidisciplinary team within a secure and rehabilitation setting. This is a senior, leadership-focused role supporting the delivery of high-quality social work practice, safeguarding excellence, and service user recovery. The successful candidate will provide operational and clinical leadership to the social work team, deputising for the Lead Social Worker and playing a key role in quality assurance, safeguarding strategy, and professional development across the service. Key Responsibilities Support and lead the social work team on adult and child safeguarding matters Deputise for the Lead Social Worker in quality assurance and governance meetings Deliver and oversee safeguarding induction and update training across the service Lead on non-medical Mental Capacity Act matters and best interest decision-making Provide high-quality supervision and appraisal to junior and senior social workers Manage and support a complex caseload of service users with mental health needs Complete assessments, CPA reports, Mental Health Tribunals and Managers' Hearings Liaise with external agencies to fulfil statutory duties, including MAPPA, Local Authorities, CMHTs, Police and Probation Support carers and families of detained service users Promote recovery-focused practice and empower service users to engage with care planning Person Specification Essential Criteria Recognised qualification in Social Work Registration with Social Work England Strong working knowledge of relevant mental health, safeguarding and social care legislation Minimum of 4 years' post-qualification experience in a similar environment (mental health, forensic, secure or complex care setting) Demonstrable experience of leading or supervising social work teams Excellent communication, leadership and multidisciplinary working skills Ability to manage complex casework and service-level responsibilities What's on Offer Salary of £48,000 - £50,000 per annum 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays), plus your birthday off Option to purchase additional annual leave Structured career development and leadership training opportunities Access to a comprehensive rewards and wellbeing platform Wellbeing initiatives supporting work-life balance Access to Blue Light Card discounts Life assurance Financial wellbeing support and access to earned wages 24/7 GP service and second medical opinion Enhanced maternity package Pension contribution Free or subsidised meals Free onsite or local parking About the Service You will be based within a specialist mental health service that includes medium secure, low secure and rehabilitation units. The service provides a seamless internal care pathway, supporting individuals with complex mental health needs, personality disorders and histories of offending or placement breakdowns. The multidisciplinary team delivers personalised assessment and treatment programmes, focusing on recovery, rehabilitation and long-term independence. About the Organisation The organisation is a leading national provider of specialist health and social care services across England and Wales, delivering care across mental health, neurological services, learning disabilities, autism, children and education settings. With a large network of services, the organisation offers genuine career progression within a stable and values-led environment. Safer Recruitment The organisation is committed to safer recruitment practices. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks and robust safeguarding procedures. The employer is a Disability Confident organisation and is committed to inclusive, accessible recruitment. Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer. Eden Brown Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales with registered number (phone number removed). Our registered address is 5th floor 4 Coleman Street, London, EC2R 5AR, part of nGAGE Specialist Recruitment Limited T/A nGAGE Talent. Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. This message is intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please send it back to us, and immediately and permanently delete it. Do not use, copy or disclose the information contained in this message or in any attachment. We take reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this email but cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage sustained as a result of computer viruses and the recipient must ensure that the email (and attachments) are virus free