Trust Professional Head of Social Work

Trust Professional Head of Social Work

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

£88,250 to £100,355 a year per annum (incl. HCAs).

Position Overview

Dynamic, experienced Advanced Social Worker to lead the social work profession within the Trust. As Professional Head of Social Work you will partner with the Director of Social Care and a multidisciplinary leadership team to strengthen the visibility, voice, and impact of social work across the Trust.

Professional Leadership, Management and Governance

• Report to the Director of Social Care and be a core member of the senior clinical and professional leadership team.
• Develop, deliver, and embed the Trust’s professional social work strategy, evidence‑based practice, and learning culture.
• Ensure staff management aligns with Human Resources policies, promoting equality, equity and performance.
• Supervise senior social workers, contribute to performance improvement and annual appraisals, and facilitate training and development.
• Manage multidisciplinary stakeholders, external agencies and partnerships to influence practice and standards.
• Develop Trust Social Work Advisory Committee and implement governance standards and policies.
• Lead the Training and Education strategy, including social work placements, apprenticeships, and advanced practice pathways.
• Oversee registration and re‑registration of Trust social workers and represent social work in the Clinical Effectiveness Group, Clinical Council, Quality Improvement programmes, and national forums.
• Represent the Trust in external relationships with NHSE, DHSC, HEIs, Social Work England, and other partners.
• Provide professional supervision and oversight to social workers and trainees where appropriate.
• Advise the Director on fitness‑to‑practice and other professional matters and deputise as required.

Teaching, Training, Education and Supervision

• Consultation and support for social workers and the multidisciplinary team on practice matters.
• Ensure high‑quality placements for social work trainees.
• Develop and maintain knowledge base and advance practice via current developments and research.
• Engage with training providers and maintain relationships to extend placement opportunities.

Research, Audits and Development

• Lead development of research proposals, secure grants, and collaborate with academics and other agencies.
• Supervise complex service evaluations and audits, and disseminate findings through presentations and publications.
• Collate evidence for regulatory audits and quality assurance frameworks, communicating recommendations to improve practice.

Management of Finance and Other Resources

• Oversee physical and financial resources for training, development, research, and supervision.
• Act as an authorised signatory for delegated budgets, contributing to cost‑improvement plans.
• Ensure safe use of equipment and maintain clinical competency of social work staff.
• Lead recruitment, selection, and onboarding for social work staff.

Workforce Planning and Development

• Develop workforce planning systems, identify skill gaps, create new posts, and extend roles.
• Ensure standards of recruitment, retention, and statutory registration meet HR policy.
• Support safe staffing and retention initiatives.

Social Work Clinical Practice

• Maintain own professional social work practice in agreed form with the Director.
• Champion citizens’ rights, ethical practice, legal and human rights frameworks.
• Convey learnings from best practice across the service and partners.
• Collaborate with safeguarding teams to integrate safeguarding practice into guidance.
• Advise on escalation of cases to uphold statutory and regulatory responsibilities.
• Ensure high‑standard clinical record keeping and compliance with codes of practice and Trust policies.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Social Worker with Social Work England.
• Master’s degree in social work or equivalent Diploma.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development at a leadership level.
• Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) qualification.

Experience

• Senior management experience in Health or Social Care.
• Track record of forging and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in professional leadership and support of social workers.
• Experience in teaching and training social workers.
• Experience developing social‑work‑specific programmes and workforce planning.

Knowledge/Skills

• Understanding of NHS priorities and current government policy in health & social care.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, able to build relationships across the Trust and with local authority partners.
• Ability to negotiate, influence and motivate others, including complex issues with ICS, Commissioning Care Group, Local Authority and Police.
• Strong written and verbal communication to a range of stakeholders.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

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