Mental Health Social Worker

Job summary

Do you want to be part of a team improving the way adult mental health care is provided in the community? Hounslow East Mental Health Integrated Network Team (MINT) is a community based service supporting people's mental and physical health as well as social care needs. We work closely with the local GP practices, primary care networks, social services, voluntary sector and other organisations to provide interventions in a more collaborative way which are simpler and support joined-up, personalised treatment and care.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a social worker with a keen interest in providing outstanding support within mental health community settings. The Community Mental Health Framework represents a new approach to providing community-based integrated support, care and treatment for adults with mental health problems whatever their level of need.

Main duties of the job

Social Work plays a key role in dissolving the barriers that can exist between mental health and physical health, social care, voluntary and community social enterprise (VCSE) organisations and local communities, and primary and secondary care, to deliver integrated, personalised, place-based and well-coordinated care for adults and older adults.

Our service users need Social Workers to support them with their mental health needs to access health care when and where they need it and be able to move through the system easily. This role means supporting people to be able to manage their problems and move towards individualised recovery on their own terms, surrounded by their families, carers and social networks, and supported in their local community. As a Social Worker you will support individuals to be able to contribute to and be participants in the communities that sustain them, to whatever extent is comfortable to them.

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
Essential

Professional qualification in Social Work, with current Social Work England registration.
Attained at least Level 2 Maths and English (equivalent to GCSE grade 9-4 (A*-C))

Desirable

Educated to degree or Diploma level.
Evidence of recent and on-going relevant further professional development.

Experience
Essential

Demonstrable experience of post qualifying work as a Social Worker/Mental Health clinician in a mental health setting.
Understanding and experience of operating with a comprehensive assessment framework.
Experience of preparing clear and accurate correspondence, reports and other written documentation.

Desirable

Experience of working with people within a social care model of mental health.
Evidence of experience in a Band 6 position or equivalent
Other relevant post registration experience
Experience of working in a primary care setting/ social care/ voluntary sector
Experience of supervising junior staff within own and/or other disciplines

Knowledge
Essential

Knowledge of counselling skills/cognitive behavioural skills, psychosocial interventions
Knowledge of recovery approaches in mental health
Ability to interpret research and apply to practice
Specialist knowledge of mental health conditions as well as their relationship to physical health.
Risk assessment/management and crisis intervention skills
Experience of social work assessment and interventions.
Higher level communication skills, both written and oral
Ability to engage challenging and/or acutely distressed service users and use de-escalation techniques effectively
Sufficient clinical knowledge to be able to make autonomous decisions, based on an analysis of complex presenting problems and judgement about available options, with senior clinical support/supervision
Team/self-management and organisation skills that enable a number of complex activities and clinical work to be undertaken, revising and adjusting these according to the needs of individual service user and the service
Computer literate

Skills
Essential

Ability to work under pressure, particularly in unpredictable situations where there will be exposure to highly distressed service users.
Ability to meet deadlines
Commitment to equal opportunities
Ability to accept constructive feedback
Self-motivated, able to work autonomously and independently with confidence when required.
Exercise initiative, flexibility and tact and self-awareness
Willing to use peer and group supervision creatively
Be able to work flexibly if required
Be aware of the limitations in your competencies and seek appropriate senior advice and leadership

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.