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Forensic Social Worker
Job Type
Permanent
Region
South West
Salary
Location
£35,392 - £42,618
Posted Date
8 July 2024
Bristol
Closing Date
28 July 2024
With our further developments, this is an exciting time for our respected and greatly valued social workers in Secure Services. It is a supportive and vibrant Team with a very positive learning culture.
Join us in making a real difference to the lives of service users and build meaningful relationships with them and their family/carers. Contribute as they progress in their recovery. Work in partnership with local services across the region; including the co-located Specialist Community Forensic Teams, another new initiative.
Commitment to a social care perspective is essential, including maximising the quality of life for service users and balancing their rights with the protection of the public. You must work in an anti-oppressive manner, challenging any discrimination appropriately and safeguarding the vulnerable. You’d have a valuable role in intervening to improve their experience.
Previous experience in mental health services in a statutory setting is preferable. Knowledge of Part 3 of the Mental Health Act would be advantageous. However, we are also willing to consider those that are keen to work in this area if newly qualified or wanting to change specialisms - do please get in touch!
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 including maximising the quality of life for service users and balancing their rights with 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 intervening to improve the lives of individuals.
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 would be advantageous.
Social workers will work with multi-disciplinary teams and have work allocated to them from these teams as directed by the manager of the team. They will also take a joint responsibility for the workload of the social work team as required and when necessary. This will include the need to write reports to the required standard, as necessary and the need to attend meetings and tribunals as required by the service. They will, at times, need to provide cover for service users that are allocated to colleagues, when they are not available.
Social workers will be aware of their responsibilities towards protecting the vulnerable, which will include both children and adults; intervening and making referrals as appropriate and according to legislation and policy.
Working for our organisation
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
We encourage experienced applicants from all sections of the community.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To carry out the statutory duties and responsibilities within relevant legislation as prescribed by the Team / Line Manager
To manage a workload commensurate with level of competence, qualification and experience within the Department’s eligibility criteria and prioritisation of service delivery.
To undertake risk assessments for vulnerable adults and to be responsible for action in situations where service users liberty or safety is at stake according to agreed Trust policies.
To concentrate, as required by organisational needs, on specific areas of work and specialised of service user groups (eg. Mental Health, Learning Difficulties, Sensory Impairment, Drugs, Alcohol and Asylum Seekers).
To contribute to the development and supervision of other social workers and to undertake student supervision, depending on the level of experience and position on career progression schemes.
To concentrate on specific areas of project work requiring more developed skills.
To comply with Trust’s case recording standards and good practice in relation to presenting information to service users.
To provide / enter accurate information into computer-based information systems and ensure that records/information are accurate, up to date, secure and maintained, using IT in accordance with agreed data - entry system wherever appropriate, and the Data Protection Act.
Additional Accountabilities
To undertake complex work that requires inter-agency working and co-ordination.
To apply advanced knowledge of a wide range of legislation and policies.
To undertake and/or co-ordinate work with networks, communities and agencies.
To contribute to the development of services, policies and practices within legislative and policy frameworks.
To be responsible for the continuing professional development of self and contribute to the development of others. Experienced staff will be required to undertake student supervision.
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