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Social Worker
The closing date is 21 January 2026
To contribute to the provision of a Social Work Service at The Wells Road Centre, Low Secure Hospital; providing high quality Social Work intervention to patients detained under the Mental Health Act. This involves working with a diverse patient population undertaking initial assessment, risk assessment and care planning, in conjunction with other members of the multi‑professional team under clinical and managerial supervision.
To be the nominated Social Worker for a defined patient caseload within the male mental illness, female and/or intellectual and developmental disability pathway.
Main duties of the job
The post is situated within the Forensic Care Group and located in a low secure hospital setting in Nottingham City. The post holder will work with patients who are a risk to themselves and/or others requiring care & treatment in a secure setting.
The role will require an individual to work effectively under the leadership of the Social Worker Manager in the provision of Social Work intervention contributing to the patient's overall care, treatment & recovery. This role involves working directly with patients on wards as well as undertaking responsibilities that are office based.
About us
#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.
We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.
We offer a variety of employee‑led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.
The health and wellbeing of our colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in‑house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.
The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net‑zero commitment.
Job responsibilities
Delivering a Social Work Service to a designated patient group.
Taking a lead role within the Multi‑Disciplinary Team (MDT) to ensure that issues relating to safeguarding children and adults at risk are effectively addressed.
Completing and presenting structured, integrated and analytical reports.
Take a lead role in the Multi‑Disciplinary Team (MDT) in maintaining links between patients, their families and carers promoting their involvement.
Active participation in all relevant clinical meetings including Clinical Team Meetings, Care Programme Approach meetings, and Multi‑Agency Public Protection Arrangements panel meetings.
Contributing to developing and participating in education, training and professional development activity in both the Social Work Service and MDT this may include training and practice as an onsite supervisor or Practice Educator for Social Work Students.
Support in the collection and presentation of the information/ data relating to the departments performance & development.
A full UK driving licence and vehicle for business use is required for this post; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Professional qualification in Social Work, DipSW or equivalent
* Registered with Social Work England
* Approved Mental Health Professional qualification
* Relevant post‑graduate training in Social Work, e.g. safeguarding, multi‑agency working, risk management, etc
Contractual Requirements
* A full UK driving licence and vehicle for business use is required for this post; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010
* Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service, which may include occasional evenings and weekends
Values and Behaviours
* All colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust, Honesty, Respect, Compassion, Teamwork
* All colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation
Experience
* Experience of working with patients/service users with a mental illness or personality disorder within a mental health setting including community, hospital, prison, young offender institute or forensic unit
* Experience of liaison with other services/agencies and professional colleagues
* Experience of maintaining high quality and contemporaneous written records, databases and producing reports
* Experience of compiling social circumstance reports for the purposes of Mental Health Tribunals and Managers' Panels
* Experience of supervising other staff members or students.
* Experience of working for other statutory organisations, i.e. local authority, probation
* Experience of working within a secure setting, i.e. prison, young offenders institute, secure unit
Knowledge
* Thorough knowledge and understanding of current Mental Health Legislation
* Knowledge of relevant legislation with regard to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
* Knowledge of the Care Programme Approach
* Awareness of current Social Work Standards
* Knowledge of Criminal Justice Legislation.
* Knowledge of the Wells Road Centre and its purpose
Skills
* Ability to work independently and prioritise own workload
* Good communication, negotiation and liaison skills (both oral and written).
* Ability to function effectively within a multi-professional team and develop cohesive working relationships
* Ability to maintain clear professional boundaries when working with a challenging patient group
* Skilled in assessment and care planning
* Skilled in risk assessment and risk management
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.
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum (pro rata for part time)
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