Deputy Head of Social Work

Job summary

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Deputy Head of Social Work to join our team and provide visible, professional leadership to Social Workers across the South-West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust (SWLSTG). This role plays a pivotal part in championing high-quality social work practice, supporting professional development, and shaping the future of social work within the Trust.

As a successful applicant you will have experience in working in mental health setting across health and social care system, as well as a strong legal literacy in health, social care and mental health legislation. Joining the senior management team, you will be the senior operational leader for Social Work raising professional profile, supporting further development of the professional pathway and driving the strength-based approach to service delivery across the Trust.

Main duties of the job

Deputy Head of Social Work will take operational leadership for promoting social work-based approaches that contribute to reducing health inequalities and improving service quality. You will provide expert guidance and support to operational managers, ensuring strong partnerships and effective collaboration with the five local authorities we work alongside.

Key responsibilities include overseeing robust systems for professional supervision, reflective practice, and professional appraisal. The role also involves contributing to professional forums, the annual Social Work Conference, and coordinating learning and development opportunities. You will lead the development of a clear career pathway for Social Workers in partnership with educational providers, Skills for Care, and the Trust's preceptorship programme, as well as support apprenticeship and newly qualified programmes (MH AYSE, Practice Educator).

The Deputy Head will provide expert advice in areas such as Mental Health Law, Safeguarding, and Social Care legislation, contributing to Trust-wide audits, research, and compliance initiatives including upcoming legal reforms. You will also support the leadership of Safeguarding, participate in governance groups, and deputise for the Head of Social Work when required. This is an excellent opportunity for a forward-thinking Social Work leader to make a lasting impact across integrated health and social care services system

About us

We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.

This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.

We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety ofbenefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.

About our locations:

Springfield University Hospital, Tooting

Our largest, 19-ward site is in Springfield Village, created following our £150m investment into two new world class mental health facilities. A 32-acre public park, shops and cafes are coming soon. Close to shops, cafes and Tooting Bec on the Northern Line plus Earlsfield and Tooting rail stations and bus routes.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY:

oTo provide visible professional leadership to Social Workers across the Trust.
oTo support the provision of high-quality social work and social care leadership across the SWLSTG Trust.
oTo support strengthening of the professional identity for Social Workers within the Trust, ensuring that the social work profession feels inspired in promoting social work-based approaches to provision of best quality services across the service lines that support reducing health inequalities.
oTo provide professional advice and support to operational managers, including upon the maintenance of effective interfaces between the Trust and the five local authorities.
oTo developed enhanced systems, and where appropriate the provision, of robust professional supervision, reflective practice, contribute to professional appraisal plus professional forums & annual Social Work Conference, alongside learning and development opportunities for social workers in the Trust.
oTo provide professional leadership in collaboration with Education providers, Skills for Care and Trust professional preceptorship in developing a robust career pathway for the social work profession within the Trust.
oTo lead on maintaining pathways for Social Work apprenticeship, MH AYSE programme and Practice Educator programme with associate Education providers.
oTo contribute to Trust audit and research in key areas for social care and social work.
oTo provide professional expertise, advice and training in specialist areas including Mental Health Law, Safeguarding and Social Care legislation.
oTo have an instrumental leadership role in response to Trust required developments for compliance around changes in MH Law, such as MHA reform.
oTo support Trust MCA professionals for operational leadership reporting to Head of Social Work as overall strategic Lead.
oTo actively contribute to the leadership of Safeguarding within the Trust, attending sub-groups to Boards and matters relating to Prevent as required.
oTo collaborate with social work leads within the Trust and local authorities to ensure that social work services are appropriately developed, governed and performance managed across the service lines.
oDeputise to the Head of Social Work as required.

Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential
oProfessional Social Work qualification
oEvidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development
oMember of relevant professional body - Social Work England.

Desirable
oKnowledge of employment legislation
oEducated to masters level or equivalent
oPost graduate qualification and practice experience as BIA &/or AMHP
oPractice Educator

Experience

Essential
oMinimum 4 years experience in senior position (Band 7 or above equivalent).
oExperience of multi-professional collaboration at a senior level including partnership working with other statutory and voluntary organizations.
oExperience of legal literacy and application in practice. Experience of service development
oExperience of supervision and appraisal and addressing performance issues.

Desirable
oExperience of managing change and introducing new ways of working