Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity for qualified Social Workers interested in working with women with complex mental health needs.
The post holder will join the multidisciplinary team on Melrose Ward, a Level 2 specialist mental health rehabilitation inpatient service for women, based at The Orchard Unit on the St Bernard’s Hospital campus. The ward provides trauma-informed, gender-sensitive care for women whose recovery has not been supported in previous placements.
The team delivers holistic, biopsychosocial care, with a focus on psychological therapies, occupational engagement, and community reintegration, supporting service users to build life skills and move towards independent living.
Melrose Ward offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an innovative, recovery-focused model of care across Local Services and West London Forensic Services.
You will manage a ward-based caseload alongside structured learning, development opportunities, and regular supervision, within a supportive Social Work team.
Experience in inpatient or complex needs settings is desirable but not essential, provided transferable skills can be demonstrated.
Main duties of the job
West London NHS Trust delivers a Social Work service across all working-age adult wards at St Bernard’s Hospital. With the exception of Melrose Ward, these are forensic settings, although not all patients are restricted or detained under forensic sections of the Mental Health Act. Social Workers are embedded within well-resourced multidisciplinary teams and contribute to risk assessment and care planning from admission through to discharge.
The service focuses on meeting the social care needs of patients and operates in line with the Forensic Mental Health Social Work Capabilities Framework (2016), offering opportunities to work across a range of specialist areas.
As a frontline Social Worker, you will manage a balanced caseload alongside structured learning and development opportunities. You will build skills in risk assessment and management, effective multidisciplinary working, and the application of legal frameworks relating to mental health detention and mental capacity.
Working for our organisation
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
1. Degree in Social Work or DipSW or CQSW
2. Social Work England registration
3. Post-qualifying training (with again formally or through evidenced on-the-job training) in relevant areas of social work and/or mental health
4. Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable criteria
5. AMHP qualification
6. Qualifications relating to the Mental Capacity Act, e.g. Best Interest Assessor
7. Relevant training in group work, family therapy, substance misuse interventions, or offence work
Experience
Essential criteria
8. Experience of working with individuals with mental health problems
9. Experience of multidisciplinary team working, and promoting a social work/social care perspective
10. Experience of presenting reports in formal setting, e.g. Mental Health Tribunals and Managers Hearings
11. Experience in risk assessment and risk management
12. Experience in collaborative care planning
13. Experience in working with families
14. Experience of child and adult safeguarding with mental health patients and their families
Desirable criteria
15. Experience of working in an inpatient forensic mental health setting Experience of working with offenders
16. Experience of working with adults with substance misuse or dual diagnosis
17. Experience of working with adults with Autistic
18. Experience in supporting and training others on Social Work or AMHP placements Spectrum Disorder
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
19. Knowledge of particular aspects of the Mental Health Act and its associated Code of Practice, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Human Rights Act and criminal justice legislation relevant to Forensic Mental Health Social Work
20. Detailed knowledge of identifying Responsible Local Authorities, Section 117 MHA, MAPPA, Victim Liaison, Carers’ Rights and child and adult safeguarding
21. Written and verbal communication skills to engage with patients, carers and professionals various levels of seniority across health and social care
22. Knowledge of how to work effectively with professional networks to foster collaborative approaches and achieve results
Desirable criteria
23. Specialist knowledge in engaging with people with personality disorder and forensic histories
24. Group facilitation skills
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
25. Interpersonal skills to manage highly complex emotional situations
26. Analytic and judgement skills, dealing with highly complex situations where required to express professional social work opinions
27. Ability to work with considerable professional autonomy as a solo social worker in a multidisciplinary team
28. Planning and organisational skills to manage a caseload and meet deadlines
29. Ability to undertake all statutory and mandatory training, including Breakaway (subject to Occupational Health clearance)