Forensic Social Worker

Job summary

Forensic social work is a fascinating field where you can develop all aspects of your social work knowledge in a way that compliments your practice and experience for future roles. You will bring recovery, trauma and social care perspectives to inpatients in High Secure Services.

Whilst it is desirable for candidates to have experience working within forensic or mental health settings, we welcome applications from qualified/experienced Social Workers from other areas, where they can demonstrate strong transferability of skills.

As a forensic social worker you will have access to highly specialist training and development opportunities. You will receive training in risk assessment tools in relation to public protection, safeguarding and clinical risk. There are also opportunities to participate in research, policy development and engagement strategies.

Forensic social work allows practitioners to bring their core social work values into life, through in-depth work and analysis with the patient, families and carers.

As a Forensic Social worker you will deepen your knowledge of forums including: - MAPPA; Victim Liaison Services; PREVENT; Ministry of Justice; UK Borders Agency; Police; Prison and Probation Services; Integrated Care Boards; Local Authorities and many more. You will convey detailed social work analysis in a meaningful way that promotes safe care, treatment and discharge.

Main duties of the job

You will be an expert within the MDT providing meaningful social models and influence to clinical assessments. You will use your social work values to inform complex forensic risk assessments within MDTs. You will provide comprehensive social work with families and carers.

You will provide expert knowledge of the Care Act to guide MDTs in all aspects of care planning. You will use your knowledge of the Care Act to liaise with Local Authorities and ensure that needs are assessed and met. You will advise and guide MDT colleagues in: - Child and Adult Safeguarding; S.117 Aftercare/RLA responsibilities; MAPPA and Victim Liaison Schemes.

You will represent the forensic social work teams to different agencies and forums and undertake extensive liaison with: - MAPPA; Victim Liaison Services; PREVENT; Ministry of Justice; UK Borders Agency; Police; Prison and Probation Services; Integrated Care Boards; Local Authorities and many more. You will convey detailed social work analysis in a meaningful way that promotes safe care, treatment and discharge.

You will provide detailed social work analysis and present your findings in specialised reports such as: - Social Histories; Admissions; Tribunals; and other formal processes.

About us

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.

The Trust is rated as 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Job description
Job responsibilities

The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential

Degree in Social Work or DipSW or CQSW
Social Work England registration
Post-qualifying training (with again formally or through evidenced on-the-job training) in relevant areas of social work and/or mental health
Evidence of continuing professional and personal development

Desirable
AMHP qualification
Qualifications relating to the Mental Capacity Act, e.g. Best Interest Assessor
Relevant training in group work, family therapy, substance misuse interventions, or offence work

Experience
Essential

Experience of working with individuals with mental health problems
Experience of multidisciplinary team working, and promoting a social work/social care perspective
Experience of presenting reports in formal setting, e.g. First Tier Tribunals Mental Health and Associate Hospital Managers Hearings
Experience in risk assessment and risk management
Experience in collaborative care planning
Experience in working with families
Experience of child and adult Safeguarding with mental health patients and their families
Experience in supporting and training others on Social Work or AMHP placements

Desirable

Experience of working in an inpatient forensic mental health setting
Experience of working with offenders
Experience of working with adults with substance misuse or dual diagnosis
Experience of working with adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Knowledge
Essential

Knowledge of particular aspects of the Mental Health Act and its associated Code of Practice, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Human Rights Act and criminal justice legislation relevant to Forensic Mental Health Social Work
Detailed knowledge of identifying Responsible Local Authorities, Section 117 MHA, MAPPA, Victim Liaison, Carers' Rights and child and adult Safeguarding
Written and verbal communication skills to engage with patients, carers and professionals of various levels of seniority across health and social care
Knowledge of how to work effectively with professional networks to foster collaborative approaches and achieve results

Desirable
Specialist knowledge in engaging with people with personality disorder and forensic histories
Group facilitation skills

Personal Qualities
Essential

Interpersonal skills to manage highly complex emotional situations
Analytic and judgement skills, dealing with highly complex situations where required to express professional social work opinions
Ability to work with considerable professional autonomy as a solo social worker in a multidisciplinary team
Planning and organisational skills to manage a caseload and meet deadlines
Ability to undertake all statutory and mandatory training, including Breakaway (subject to Occupational Health clearance)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.