Senior Social Worker and AMHP (Forensic)

Join a Specialist Forensic Social Work Team

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated Social Worker to join our specialist Forensic Social Work Team within a secure mental health inpatient service. We welcome applications from Senior Social Workers and Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) who are passionate about improving outcomes for people receiving forensic mental health care.

This temporary position is open to both internal and external applicants. Internal Wakefield Council employees interested in applying on a secondment basis should discuss this with their line manager and obtain approval before applying.

Key Roles

As a member of a specialist forensic social work team, you will play a key role in supporting service users, their families and carers throughout their care pathway.

You will work collaboratively within multidisciplinary clinical teams and alongside a wide range of partner agencies to deliver high-quality, person-centred interventions that promote recovery, social inclusion and safe community reintegration.

Key responsibilities include:

• Delivering high-quality forensic social work interventions and psychosocial support.
• Supporting service users and their families throughout their care pathway.
• Coordinating and contributing to discharge planning from admission through to community transition.
• Working collaboratively with health colleagues, local authorities, criminal justice agencies and community services.
• Contributing to multidisciplinary meetings, care planning reviews, risk management processes and case formulations.
• Promoting service user rights, safeguarding, recovery and social inclusion.
• Supporting statutory social work functions and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and policy.

We are seeking a confident and skilled practitioner who can work effectively within a complex and challenging forensic mental health environment.

Essential Requirements

• A recognised Social Work qualification, current registration with Social Work England and evidence of continuing professional development and post-qualifying training.
• Experience of social work practice within mental health, forensic services, criminal justice settings or closely related fields.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and partnership-working skills.
• Strong organisational, analytical, negotiation and problem-solving abilities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated legislation.
• Sound knowledge of adult safeguarding legislation, policy and practice.
• Excellent risk assessment, risk management and decision-making skills.
• The ability to navigate complex systems and facilitate care pathways across organisational boundaries.
• A commitment to strengths-based, trauma-informed, recovery-focused and anti-oppressive practice.
• Experience of working therapeutically with service users, families and carers to promote positive outcomes.
• The resilience and professional confidence to work within a secure and integrated forensic service.

• Experience of working within forensic mental health services or secure care settings.
• Knowledge of criminal justice processes, MAPPA arrangements and public protection frameworks.

Want to know more?

If you would like to know more about the role, the recruitment process or working for Wakefield Council, feel free to contact.

Name: Anita Theaker

Tel: 01924 316093 / 01924 316098

E-mail: anita.theaker@swyt.nhs.uk

Join us and make a real impact in the community. Apply today to become a valued member of our team!

Safeguarding

Wakefield Council is wholly committed to ensuring children and vulnerable adults are fully supported and safe. We are dedicated to the safeguarding of all children and vulnerable adults whilst promoting their welfare. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this responsibility.

DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service)

The successful applicant will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form and to provide criminal conviction information.

Probation

In accordance with the Council Probation Procedure, this post is subject to a 6-month Probationary Period.

Fluency Duty

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), public facing roles will be subject to the Fluency Duty.

Diversity

Having a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve helps us to achieve the best outcomes for all. We encourage applications from everyone and actively seek to ensure that everyone feels included in the workplace so that we can make the most of our differences.

Why Wakefield

To find out more about the benefits of working at Wakefield Council, click here.