Job overview
We are in a position to offer a full time 12 month secondment for a social worker in the Forensic Social Work service at Fromeside Medium Secure Unit and Wickham Low Secure Unit.
This is an exciting time in the social work team as we develop new ways of working within the team as well as the service. It is a fascinating area of Forensic Mental Health where social workers are able to make a real difference to the lives of service users and their carers.
The Forensic Social Work team are committed to meet the needs of service users detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. They help to embed the social model into a medicalised environment, and use their skills, values, knowledge and expertise to improve the experience of some of society's most vulnerable people.
The Forensic Social Work team work with services users, their carers and multi-disciplinary teams across two hospitals located at Blackberry Hill. Fromeside is an 81 bed Medium Secure Unit and Wickham is a 31 bed Low Secure Unit. The post holder may work across both hospitals or be allocated to just one, depending on their caseload.
A social work qualification is essential as is registration with Social Work England.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will have a commitment to a social care perspective, whilst balancing the service user's rights against the protection of the public. There is a requirement to work in an anti-oppressive manner, challenging any discrimination appropriately and safeguarding the vulnerable. You would have a valuable role in using your skills, values, expertise and knowledge to improve the lives of service users and their carers in what can often be an isolated and stigmatised existence.
Previous experience of working with service users who have severe mental health problems is essential and some experience in a statutory setting is required. Knowledge of Part 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983 would be advantageous but is not essential.
Social workers will work with multi-disciplinary teams and have work allocated to them from these teams as directed by the Responsible Clinician. They will also take a joint responsibility for the workload of the social work team as required. The role will include tasks such as completing high quality reports and records, attending various MDT meetings, presenting and participating in Tribunals and Hearings, liaising regularly with MAPPA, the Police, Safeguarding and Victim Liaison Officers, and working closely Local Authorities, recovery teams and specialist community forensic teams. There will be direct work with service users, carers and family members, including children at times.
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