Social Worker

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for a social worker to join our prison mental health services in Hull HMP and Humber HMP. This follows Tees Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust being awarded the contract to provide these prisons mental health services and as such we are looking to extend the multi-disciplinary team. We are looking for a Social Worker to work with both Hull and Humber HMP mental health teams.

This post holder will join the teams and the Trust at an exciting time of development and will focus on delivering high quality, evidence-based services. The post holder should be motivated by the opportunity to become part of the growing workforce in this mental health provision. They will be responsible for developing this role by demonstrating excellence in person centred care, providing training and advice to the team and our partners.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will assess and provide intervention related to a range of difficulties for men within these prison settings. They will work alongside a team of health care professionals (including nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists , speech and language therapists and support workers) and partner colleagues (including prison staff, primary health care providers). As such, the post holder must be committed to collaborative working and have an excellent teamwork ethos.

The post holder will be a registered social worker and have significant experience working in mental health or learning disability services and complex needs. They will have knowledge of related issues and national directives and an understanding of the criminal justice system would be beneficial. They will be expected to facilitate and promote links to the wider community services, as required.

About us

The post holder will receive professional and managerial supervision as well as peer support and CPD opportunities. They will liaise closely with other social workers in health and justice services.

Job description
Job responsibilities

- To work within a multi-disciplinary team to provide appropriate assessments and deliver interventions to individuals, families and carers in order to support recovery, promote self-management and minimise
- To undertake duties under the Mental Health Act as required e.g. report writing and attendance at Mental Health tribunals
- To undertake statutory work as defined under the Mental Health Act 1983 and Mental Capacity Act and demonstrate an understanding of the restrictions that legal orders may have on a patients life
- To provide comprehensive social histories for each patient, that should include a clear assessment of risk including safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, the views of families and carers and agencies in the home area. The views of victims should be included where these are available
- To contribute to the development of effective working relationships with colleagues from other teams, organisations and agencies, and to subsequently advise senior managers and others on relevant social care issues
- To provide individual and group interventions and therapies to mentally disordered offenders
- To work within professional guidelines and the overall framework of the Trusts policies
- To provide mentorship to those undertaking professional training, and to actively participate in the provision of appropriate training to team members and colleagues from other teams across the Trust
- To identify the home local authority and the LA responsible for Section 117 aftercare to work with this LA as appropriate
- To be involved in discharge planning and in particular the Section 117 aftercare considerations, liaison with local authorities and placement considerations
- To work with other agencies before and after discharge for an agreed time in accordance with the agreed CPA plan
- To carry out a Social Care Needs Record assessment

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

- A registered social work qualification plus a period of indentured practice o
- Registration with SWE
- Working knowledge of relevant legislation including MHA 1983, MCA 2005 and Care Act 2014

Desirable

- Evidence of psychosocial educational qualification, ie. PSI/CBT
- Teaching qualification

Experience
Essential

- Evidence of using detailed risk assessments and formulation of subsequent care plans
- Evidence of working within a forensic or community setting
- Evidence of working within a multidisciplinary team
- Use of the CPA system

Knowledge
Essential

- Good understanding of safeguarding procedures
- Up-to-date knowledge of mental health strategies

Skills
Essential

- Good negotiation skills
- Able to use patient recording systems/basic computer knowledge

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.