Band 6 Specialist Community Forensic Worker - Bristol

Job overview

The Specialist Community Forensic Team is a service that provides support and intervention to service users transitioning from secure care to the community.

We also offer specialist advice and guidance to mental health and other relevant services.

The successful applicant will care coordinate a small caseload with support from an expert MDT. You will also have the opportunity to train and carry out the role of social supervisor and to jointly work with recovery teams.

You will also be able to develop your skills and expertise in providing specialist advice and consultation to other professionals.

This is an exciting post in an innovative developing service and we  aim to develop a highly skilled team. There are training opportunities in a range of therapeutic skills and clinical tools, including DBT, TIC, HCR- 20 and Dundrum.

We are looking to recruit a dynamic, motivated and experienced mental health professional. You will need to have a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in Mental Health

We are also committed to the development of a co-production model with our service users and carers.  Therefore they will be involved in the recruitment process.

Right to Work in the UK :This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application, as the organisation is unable to support sponsorship for this post.

Main duties of the job

The role is a fixed term post as  a specialist community forensic worker in a Multidisciplinary Team providing a  community forensic service to service users and carers, supporting transfer from secure care to the community. You would also be required to support Community teams and service users in reducing the risk of re-admission to secure care.

The role will involve care coordination and social supervision of service users who are or have been in secure services. You will carry out specialist needs and risk assessments, provide intervention and coordinate care to support recovery goals.

You will be required to provide clinical reports inclusive of tribunal and MOJ.

The role involves working as part of a strong MDT, building relationships and  linking with inpatient, community services, carers and a range of organisations

There is a focus on providing appropriate training to develop skills in individuals and the service. You will receive regular management and clinical supervision along with group supervision.

For full details, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To undertake the full range of activities required to deliver ongoing, comprehensive mental health assessment for service users with forensic mental health needs whilst in hospital and living in the community. This will include:

• Standardised risk assessment tools, i.e., Dundrum, HCR‑20
• Recovery Star
• Needs assessment
• Mental state assessment
• Impact of culture and diversity
• Functional needs
• Carers’ assessments
• Evaluation of risk
• Physical health assessment
• Social care needs
• Safeguarding and public protection
• Capacity under the Mental Capacity Act

To be responsible for developing, delivering, and reviewing comprehensive and complex treatment interventions using appropriate frameworks in line with evidence‑based practice, including strategies to manage risk for service users with complex needs and carers, bringing in other resources as required.

To act as care coordinator for service users as required, also providing defined interventions to individuals on other workers’ caseloads.

To deliver a range of defined activities and interventions to improve carers’ ability to support the service user and to enable them in their relationship with the service user.

To develop and maintain good partnership working with other services. To take part in the provision of expert forensic consultation, advice, supervision, and training to community professionals and other relevant organisations.

In collaboration with service users and carers, to be responsible for facilitating the development of complex, comprehensive crisis plans.

Note: This post is open to newly qualified social workers. In line with AWP Trust policy, all newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) will be recruited initially at Band 5 level, regardless of the advertised role banding. All NQSWs are expected to successfully complete their ASYE within 2 years of employment, unless there are exceptional circumstances, in which case it may be extended for a further 2 years.

If you have been appointed to an advertised Band 6 role, this will be an automatic progression following confirmation of your successful ASYE completion. If you have been appointed to a Band 5 post, you will then be eligible to apply for a subsequent Band 6 vacancy upon successful ASYE completion.

For full details, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

To find out more about the SCFT and this role please do contact us (Service Lead SCFT)  and speak to a member of the team.