Lead Social Worker

Are you a Lead Social Worker with at least 5 years’ experience in a Forensic, Criminal Justice or Mental Health setting where you have acquired well developed skills in the assessment and management of individuals with mental health or forensic backgrounds and can evidence good practice?

If so, join the team at Thornford Park in Thatcham as a Lead Forensic Social Worker to provide effective leadership to a dedicated Forensic Social Work Team.

Working 37.5 hours a week you will have a variety of duties and responsibilities associated with maintaining a caseload, meeting the standards set in the social work department care-pathway while adhering to the principles and guidelines within the Social Work Professional Code of Conduct.

You will manage and support the Forensic Social Work Team and all social care aspects pertaining to service user care within Thornford Park Hospital. You will be key in ensuring compliance with statutory regulations and current legislation, meeting quality standards, and delivering against KPI performance indicators.

You will be supported regionally and will have access to a variety of training and online courses to support your career development and growth. 

As a Lead Forensic Social Worker you will be:

• Identifying and contributing to the assessment and management of risk, whilst balancing the need for public protection.
• Researching, by obtaining and analysing previous Reports, conducting collateral interviews with the patient, family members, victims, and community professionals; to compile statutory reports and other associated documentation under current legislation and present these at case conference meetings, s117 after-care planning meetings, Mental Health Tribunals and Hospital Managers Hearings, as the Responsible Authority, offering verbal evidence in support of their contents.
• Managing all statutory requirements through audit control as per CQC requirements.
• Acting as the main contact between relatives, agencies and other official organisations taking the lead in negotiations and communications regarding patients, co-ordinating multi agency liaison regarding Child Protection issues, together with risk issues within the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA)
• Line managing and supervising all social workers within the Social Work Department and ensure all professionals maintain the required levels of practice for Forensic Social Work and all social care aspects pertaining to service user care within Thornford Park Hospital.

To be successful in this role, you'll need:

• A Social Work qualification

• To be able to evidence the skills required, to providing a proven management style and leadership skills to manage a team of professional social workers considering employment legislation, ensuring professional competence and development, identify training needs and support excellence in performance.
• A recognised qualification in Social Work – Degree, CQSW, DipSW or equivalent.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Child Protection, Adult Safeguarding and MAPPA
• At least 5 years’ experience of working in a similar environment

 Where you will be working

Location:Thornford Park, Crookham Hill, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG19 8ET

Thornford Park offers a seamless integral pathway supporting and empowering service users in their recovery and rehabilitation. The medium, low secure and rehabilitation wards, as well as a psychiatric intensive care units (PICUs) are all set within 21 acres in the Berkshire countryside

What you will get:        

• Annual salary of up to £57,000 depending on experience
• The equivalent of 33 days annual leave (inc Bank Holidays) – plus your birthday off!
• Free meals and parking
• Wellbeing support and activities to help you maintain a great work-life balance.
• Career development and training to help you achieve your career goals.
• Pension contribution to secure your future.
• Life Assurance for added peace of mind.
• Enhanced Maternity Package so you can truly enjoy this special time.

There is also a range of other benefits including retail discounts, special offers and much more. 

About your next employer:

You will be working for an established, stable and agile company with over 8,000 employees and a unique approach to the delivery of care. With a network of over 90 services across England and Wales covering Mental Health, Neurological, Learning Disabilities & Autism, Children & Education, there is opportunity for you to grow and move.

Elysium Healthcare is part of Ramsay Health Care with a global network that extends across 10 countries and employs over 86,000 people globally.

Elysium Healthcare follows safer recruitment of staff for all appointments and is a Disability Confident employer, committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment. It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each person’s individual responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of service users. All candidates will be subject to a DBS disclosure.