Forensic Mental Health Social Worker

We are looking for forward thinking, innovative, creative, compassionate and reflective senior social workers, who will be able to offer a wide range of interventions in busy and challenging environments.

You will be managing a caseload of patients in a person-centred way to plan, deliver and evaluate care, whilst being supported by a well-resourced multidisciplinary team (MDT).

As part of the MDT you will ensure that the social perspective is at the forefront of the patients care. You will apply social work values and methods to help ensure that there is a holistic approach to patients care.

You will be able to develop your own practice, and support others to develop theirs, in partnership with primary health care providers and prison staff.

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible to the integrated Mental Health Team Manager who will allocate, monitor, and review all work through regular and formal supervision alongside the senior practitioner. You will be working closely with colleagues from other disciplines in an efficient and effective way.

You will have a key role to play in assessing and accessing services for service users who are currently in prison. The emphasis of your work will focus on facilitating and supporting early assessment and identification of need. Where necessary, a timely Mental Health Act transfer to secure hospital will be facilitated, with you holding a key role in coordinating this.

We'll need you to be an integrated and supportive member of the team and to work autonomously within professional guidelines and comply with the governance of social work practice within the area served.



Working for our organisation

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”

Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

Excellent opportunities for career progression
Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
Competitive pension scheme
Lease car scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Mental Health First Aiders
Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

In this role, we'll need you to implement policies and enact service developments and policy changes within own area of practice as agreed with the relevant lead social worker and/or team leader.

You will provide support to the wider multidisciplinary team regarding both children’s and adult safeguarding responsibilities, and will also demonstrate the skills to maintain your Social Work professional identity and assert the social perspective when working within the prison environment.

Please see attached Job Description/Person Specification for full duties.