Senior Forensic Social Work Practitioner

Job summary

We are looking for an experienced Senior Social Worker with experience in the community and forensic fields to join the Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT). This is a developing service that has been set up in response to the NHS New Care Models to improve the care of service users within the forensic mental health system. The SCFT works with mental health offenders from the Essex area who are being cared for within medium and low secure mental health units, primarily in Essex.

Main duties of the job

This role is part of the management team within SCFT and includes supervising the junior staff, acting up for the Clinical Lead, being part of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and to act as a care coordinator/social supervisor to a small caseload (3-5 service users) with complex needs. This role will start with a period of 'in-reach' work with our service users for six to nine months prior to discharge with the aim of building good therapeutic relationships; with the aim to engage service users in their care planning, relapse prevention work and addressing potential challenges after discharge. As part of the role care coordinators will be given the opportunity to attend specialist training in the forensic mental health field.

As the Senior Social Worker in the team you will lead on the understanding and knowledge of the role of social work within mental health, as identified by the five role categories for Social Work for Better Mental Health. You will need to support the MDT with the smooth transition of service users from secure inpatient unit to the community making sure they are placed in appropriate accommodation to meet their needs.

About us

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;

Season Ticket Loans
NHS discounts for staff
Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
Day One Flexible Employer
The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

Job description
Job responsibilities

The successful candidate will work with the rest of the MDT and act as social supervisor/care coordinator for a small caseload of service users through the care system pathway from secure placement to community setting in self-contained accommodation, 24 hour supported care and intensive enablement placements.

The post holder has the responsibility of providing and enhancing services for individuals in secure settings pre, during and post discharge to support timely transitions to community settings.

The role will be embedded within a Multi-disciplinary team with a specific focus of expediting the safe, smooth discharge of service users specifically within Brockfield House and other secure services to a range of appropriate community placements. The post holder will be expected to provide care co-ordination for a small caseload and contribute to the development of robust risk assessments and care plans. The post holder would be required to attend regular inpatient reviews to monitor the progress of service users and to ensure that any potential delay to discharge is addressed at the earliest opportunity. The team will support clients across Essex.

The post holder is also expected to contribute and support the day to day operational management of the SCFT, offering support to junior staff, acting as a role model in the team, being part of the management team, being able to problem solve and work under your own initiative, deal with complex situation, working closely with families and carers of the service users, offer guidance on the Care Act (2014) & Mental Capacity Act (2005), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards 2009 and related Codes, the Human Rights Act 1998, Equality Act 2010.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications
Essential

Possession of recognised Social Work Qualification - Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent
Registration with HCPC Approved Mental Health Professional.

Desirable

Studying or willingness to study towards full Post Qualification Award in Social Work

Knowledge
Essential

Multi-disciplinary Social Care experience within multi-disciplinary team - relevant to people with mental health difficulties.
Evidence of partnership working with other agencies including Social Care Services, Health Services, Voluntary Agencies and/or Education
Experience of undertaking assessments and other duties in accordance with the Mental Health Act 1983 and Amendments 2007 and the Mental Capacity Act.
Knowledge and understanding of Social Care practice as defined by HCPC and appropriate legislation and guidance.
IT skills to enable effective input and retrieval of data and information.
Understanding of the Mental Health Act 1983 and Amendment 2007 and Equality Act 2010 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Human Rights Act 1998

Desirable

A variety of experiences working with people with mental health difficulties.
Practice teaching experience
Understanding of social care resources and provision available beyond statutory agencies
Awareness of government guidance and legislative changes across broad range of NHS and Social Care issues

Skills / Experience
Essential

Literate in IT/Computer Skills
Good oral communication skills based on fluency on the English language
Demonstrates a commitment to highest professional and ethical values.
Demonstrate the ability to provide and receive highly complex, highly sensitive or highly contentious information.
Demonstrate well developed motivational, negotiation, training and empathetic skills as required.
Makes ongoing assessments of frequently complex client needs and associated risks and demonstrates knowledge and understanding of wide range of resource options within budgetary framework/ constraints.
Negotiates and implements effective plans for support, enablement, prevention, protection and monitoring, within department/government targets Offers practical suggestions and advice on long term implications of alternative courses of action in relation to quality of service provision.
Supports development of self and colleagues through regular reflection on effectiveness of approach and the acquisition, dissemination and application of new knowledge and skills.
Able to offer coaching and support to students and/or unqualified staff and supervise as required
Communication and presentation skills.
Ability to work in a multi-agency environment with an understanding of the differing responsibilities of statutory and non statutory organizations.
Leadership and influencing skills with the ability to lead and motivate others.
Flexible, positive and empathetic approach.
Develops and sustains professional working relationships with clients, carers, colleagues and external agencies based on mutual trust, respect for individual rights and cultural needs, and the promotion of equality and diversity.
Able to communicate effectively and sensitively with people using appropriate methods of interaction and respecting confidentiality at all times.
Produces clear, accurate and concise oral and written assessments, records and reports to facilitate decision making within multi-disciplinary teams.
Selects appropriate medium and format for communication internally and to meet the needs of service users.
Co-ordinates and chairs meetings as appropriate

Desirable

Well-developed IT skills and the ability to interrogate and evaluate management information in both written and computerised format

Personal Qualities
Essential

Shares the Trust's Beliefs and models this in their attitude and behaviour:
Ensures that the organisational values of open, compassionate and empowering are demonstrated by self and others every day and that any matters of concern are addressed in a timely way, either directly; or raised with the relevant Line Manager; or through the relevant processes within the Trust as appropriate.
Ability to work on own initiative and under pressure.
Responds calmly to unexpected and challenging problems, seeking solutions, modifying plans and arranging the provision of additional services and/or resources where appropriate.
Deals effectively with conflict - involving others when necessary
Deals effectively with complex interfamilial and interagency problems and develops solutions
Takes responsibility for own work and demonstrates willingness to learn from others and from experience
Resilience in dealing with emotive service user issues
Manage own emotions whilst preparing service user reports on a daily basis.
Able to identify own stressors and take appropriate action to prevent negative impact of this on wellbeing and seek appropriate and timely support.
Able to effectively manage their own emotions in response to the emotional distress of others.
Demonstrates empathy, sensitivity, self awareness and acceptance of others
Able to prioritise workload, work with competing deadlines and organise time effectively.
Ability to network with a variety of teams, user and carer groups, and professional agencies

Desirable

Experience of identifying, developing and managing services through a period of operational change. Planning and implementing programmes which impact across departments, services or agencies
Proven ability to problem solve and to achieve change whilst at the same time, balancing competing demands
Good analytical skills, open and creative thinking and effective problem solving in relation to service clinical and staffing issues.
Willing to assist colleagues to ensure effective service delivery throughout the Trust
Creative thinker Self-reliant and resilient - able to respond positively to difficult situations
Willingness to embrace organisational change
Experience of delivering training

Additional Requirements
Essential

Fitness Analysis as appropriate
Ability to travel across sites and across Trust boundaries to attend meetings, etc.

Desirable

Current UK driving licence

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.