Senior Social Worker

Job summary

The post holder, as a senior member of the MDT, will undertake and oversee social work responsibilities as part of the Social Care provision to patients admitted to St Magnus Hospital for older adults. This will include supporting vulnerable patients with particularly complex physical and mental health issues in an in-patient hospital environment.

The post holder will be responsible for coordinating and implementing social work input at St Magnus Hospital, including both In-Patient High Support Services (Locked Ward services) and a low secure unit. All patients detained at St Magnus are male.

Main duties of the job:

To take responsibility for upholding and directing safeguarding policies at St Magnus, offering support to all staff on the processes and implementation of safeguarding. This will include taking a lead in the completion of devolved s42 enquiries.

To work effectively and collaboratively with the local authority to promote a positive working relationship.
In collaboration with the patients and responsible local authorities strive to ensure that a comprehensive assessment of need is undertaken in a timely way for all patients admitted to St Magnus.

To support a wide range of services and agencies co-ordinated under the provisions of s117 (Mental Health Act 1983) to ensure an effective discharge from hospital.

Complete Social Circumstances Reports and ensure these are provided to Mental Health Review Tribunals and Hospital managers hearings in a timely manner.

To support a team of social work staff in delivering an excellent service to all patients.

To manage a clinical caseload and receive supervision and ongoing training relating to clinical issues pertaining to individuals under their care, including the completion of timely and accurate patient specific reports.

To be familiar with policies and procedures pertaining to professional relationships, health and safety and ensure that these are always adhered to

About us

St. Magnus Hospital provides Low Secure and In-patient High Support care to older adult male patients (over 55) with mental illness, cognitive impairment and degenerative conditions such as Huntingtons Disease, often (but not exclusively) in the context of an offending history. St. Magnus Nursing provides Nursing Home care to older male and female adults with similar conditions. St Magnus Hospital and Nursing is set in the countryside on the outskirts of Haslemere in Surrey.

Job description

Job responsibilities
Completing ongoing comprehensive social care assessments and reports as required from the pre-admission to discharge stage in relation to patients needs

Risk assessment and risk management including child protection and welfare issues

Appropriateness of potential placement incorporating views of family, relevant carers, home area agencies.

Update patient assessments minimally twice annually or immediately following significant changes to social circumstances or changes in assessment of risk within the care planning format.

On behalf of the multidisciplinary team be responsible at the point of admission for liaising with a named patients home authorities, e.g. Local Authority, Health Service, and other relevant statutory and voluntary agencies. This liaison is to be maintained until discharge.

Ensure that Families and Carers are involved in the decision making/care planning process where possible.

To lead on behalf of the multidisciplinary team in liaising with Child Protection Agencies, advise on child visiting and work within the practice and principles set out in Government Guidance.

Facilitate access to welfare rights, housing, advocacy and associated support services.

Attending weekly multi-disciplinary team meetings

Attend CPA reviews

Contribute to the assessment of patients needs under the care planning process

Provide the social perspective in such meetings and processes

Record keeping in line with audits and clinical governance best practice guidelines

Undertake delegated tasks appropriately within the department

Person Specification

Qualifications
Essential

A SWE registration in Social Work
BA in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW or CSS level.

Desirable

Other further clinical qualifications post registration or evidence of study

Experience
Essential

The successful candidate should have at least five years experience in Social Work, with significant working knowledge of the Mental Health Act. Ideally, experience of supporting Patients detained under the Mental Health Act should be combined with a knowledge of the Care Act and Mental Capacity Act.

The successful candidate will be expected to support colleagues within the team and to deputise for the Head of Social Work on occasion. Experience of working within a Multi-Disciplinary Team setting is vital, as is the ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure high standards of patient care.

Current registration with Social Work England is essential

Desirable

Experience working within a hospital environment is beneficial, but not essential, as is experience of working within Community Mental Health Services.

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.