Deputy Lead Social Worker - Thatcham:
Job Title: Deputy Lead Social Worker
Location: Thornford Park, Thatcham
Service Type: Medium & Low Secure / PICU - Male & Female
Start Date: ASAP
Employment Type: Permanent
Job Summary:
Elysium is seeking an experienced and motivated Deputy Lead Social Worker to support the coordination and delivery of high-quality social work services across our secure care pathways, including medium and low secure wards and a psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) for both male and female service users.
Reporting to the Lead Social Worker, this role involves working collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure patients' social care needs are effectively met, risk-managed, and aligned with best safeguarding and discharge planning practices.
Key Responsibilities:
Support the Lead Social Worker in overseeing the delivery of social work services across the hospital.
Manage a caseload of complex service users within secure care settings.
Contribute to multi-disciplinary assessments, CPA meetings, tribunals, and discharge planning.
Provide supervision and mentoring to junior social work staff.
Work closely with external agencies (e.g., local authorities, MAPPA, safeguarding boards) to ensure continuity of care and compliance with statutory responsibilities.
Lead and promote safeguarding policies and procedures across the hospital.
Deliver training or guidance to staff around social care legislation and safeguarding.
Deputise for the Lead Social Worker as required.
Requirements:
Qualified Social Worker (DipSW, BA, MA Social Work or equivalent)
Current Social Work England registration
Minimum of 3 years' post-qualifying experience, ideally within secure or forensic mental health settings
Strong understanding of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, and other relevant legislation
Experience of supervision and leadership in a mental health or forensic setting
Excellent communication and inter-agency working skills
Ability to work under pressure and manage complex caseloads
Desirable:
Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) status
Experience within PICU or forensic mental health services
Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer.
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