Forensic Social Worker

at  Priory Healthcare

Providing quality, inspiring innovation and delivering value is what we set out to achieve at Priory Healthcare. Enabling our patients with mental health illness to receive a truly integrated and holistic approach to their treatment, regardless of complexity or severity, thanks to the knowledge and expertise of our multidisciplinary clinical teams.
Main Purpose
Co-ordinates, negotiates and manages the mandatory processes and procedures to ensure the unit’s compliance with current legislation and statutory regulation. Using skills, knowledge and understanding of practice in the specialist area of forensic social work to provide a Social Work Service to patients within the secure environment. Key Accountabilities Quality
1.
To contribute to the provision of multi-disciplinary pre-admission assessments of patients referred to Hazelwood House with key responsibility for obtaining and verifying information regarding a patient’s family, victim issues and any other third party information.
2.
To identify and contribute to the assessment and management of risk, whilst balancing the need for public protection.
3.
To research, by obtaining and analysing previous Reports, conducting collateral interviews with the patient, family members, victims and community professionals; to compile statutory reports and other associated documentation under current legislation and present these at case conference meetings, s117 after-care planning meetings, Mental Health Review Tribunals and Hospital Managers Hearings, as the detaining authority, offering verbal evidence in support of their contents.
4.
To offer a Social Work perspective to work with patients and the multi disciplinary team highlighting and challenging discriminatory structures and practices where identified.
5.
To maintain accurate and up-to-date internal and statutory records that may be required as evidence in formal proceedings.
6.
Act as the main contact between relatives, agencies and other official organisations taking a lead in negotiations and communications regarding patients, co-ordinating multi agency liaison regarding child protection issues, including managing the Hazelwood House Safeguarding Procedure; together with risk issues within the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA), and victim contact (Domestic Violence, Crime & Victims Act, 2004). To act as Appropriate Adult (under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act) for patients when required. Innovation
7.
Assists and supports regional management in developing and implementing new services. Value
8.
Provides a high quality service to contribute towards the unit’s objectives and giving their service users a greater value for money.
Knowledge & Skills
A degree level social work qualification and GSCC (RSW) registration, together with detailed knowledge and comprehensive understanding of relevant legislation.
Experience
Experience within a Forensic, Criminal Justice or Mental Health setting where the role holder has acquired well developed skills in the assessment and management of individuals with mental health or forensic backgrounds.
Autonomy & Impact
Operating within the Code of Ethics for Social Work as defined by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW, 2003), the General Social Care Council (GSCC) Codes of Practice for Social Care Workers (2002), the Mental Health Act Codes of Practice and Care Standards Act (2000) role holders are responsible for managing their own workload effectively to ensure the completion of the core tasks as identified in the Social Work Department Service Specification. Role holders must be able to contribute to the development of safe working practices and demonstrate an awareness of all potential risks to patients, colleagues and members of the public. They will take appropriate action to deal with any identified risks.
Intelligent Problem Solving
Problem solving is based upon acquired knowledge, skills and experience usually requiring the adaption of new and existing systems and process in response to operational needs.
Staff
Role holders will receive regular professional supervision from a senior professional line manager actively participate in the process of their annual appraisal by reflecting on and practice and workload issues and continually providing evidence of professional development.
Budgets & equipment
Shared responsibility for the care and operation of standard equipment.
Informatics
Responsibility for the confidentiality, security and accuracy of assigned patient records, data and information. Ensuring the accuracy and quality of documentation required for regulatory and statutory purposes.
Communication & Interaction
Frequently manages highly complex, sensitive or potentially volatile situations whilst retaining the confidence of patient, carers and families. The role holder also requires exceptional inter-personal skills.
Working environment
Operating within a secure establishment where the work requires emotional resilience and experience in dealing with the demands of both mentally ill and personality disordered patients.
Special Features
A full driving licence is essential. IT literacy is also needed to enable the role holder to perform their function effectively.
Part-time will be considered and flexible working hours

Please refer the Job description for details