Overview
This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified Social Worker with experience of, or an interest in, forensic social work. West London Forensic Service provides in‑patient care for adults detained under the Mental Health Act in low and medium secure settings, supporting recovery while ensuring safety for both service users and the wider community.
The role will focus on providing Social Work input within a low secure pre‑discharge service. You will work as part of a well‑established multi‑disciplinary team, contributing to safeguarding, statutory reporting, carer support, and risk management. The Trust is also leading a new NHS England initiative through the Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT), supporting service users to transition from secure settings into the community, improving outcomes and quality of life.
Applications are welcomed from experienced Social Workers, including those outside forensic settings, who can demonstrate strong transferable skills.
You will join a supportive team, benefit from regular supervision, manageable caseloads, and access to development opportunities across the Trust.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for applicants for a Senior Forensic Social Worker committed to working collaboratively with individuals and providers in the community to find positive and safe ways of working with people who use these services.
You will work as part of a service that will improve the lives of forensic mental health service users and their carers. This is a rare chance to be part of shaping a new service, providing opportunities to develop your skills and your career.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
- Qualification in Social Work with current Social Work England Registration.
- Post Qualifying training and development.
Experience / Knowledge and Skills
- The applicant must have a minimum of two years post graduate Social Work experience.
- The applicant must have two years post qualification experience in a mental health setting.
- The applicant must have experience of autonomous working as a social worker.
- Demonstrate an ability to undertake assessments of risk using specific risk assessment tools.
- Demonstrate an ability to formulate, implement and evaluate programmes of care for those individuals in the Community Forensic Service and those being referred.
- Demonstrate an ability to use a range of therapeutic interventions with clients who have a range of disorders that will include personality disorder and dual diagnosis.
- Demonstrate knowledge of actuarial and clinical risk assessment and how this might be applied to the management of clients.
- Demonstrate knowledge of Part 3 of the Mental Health Act and its application to Mentally Disordered Offenders.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the Criminal Justice Act and its implication for the management of Forensic clients.
- Demonstrate an ability to work with a range of organisations including Courts, Police and Probation, Ministry of Justice.
- Demonstrate good communication skills, especially listening, empathy, facilitation, persuasion, motivation, negotiation, education, and reassurance.
- Demonstrate ability to lead projects and develop services.
- Demonstrate the ability to understand the role of the Community Forensic Service.
- Demonstrate ability for cross‑cultural working ensuring clients are treated holistically regardless of background.
- Demonstrate an ability to manage stress and competing demands, prioritising appropriately.
- Demonstrate skills associated with good documentation.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Ability to work in an autonomous manner.
- Experience of community forensic working practices.
- Demonstrate ability to supervise staff.
- Demonstrate ability to lead on projects and audits.
- Demonstrate an ability to teach.
- Demonstrate a good understanding of CPA and its application.
- Demonstrate an ability to communicate complex issues to users and carers.
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.
Salary
£55,524 to £62,652 a year including Outer London HCAS.
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