Job overview
West London NHS Trust is one of the largest providers of mental health care in the country and a nationally recognised leader in secure and specialist mental healthcare. We deliver high-quality community forensic services across eight North West London boroughs and are proud that our Forensic Services have been rated Outstanding by the CQC.
This is an excellent opportunity to join us through a developmental ASYE Band 5 to Band 6 post, designed to support newly qualified Social Workers to grow into confident, skilled practitioners. You will benefit from structured development, strong clinical supervision, and clear progression into a Band 6 role.
We have also been selected by NHS England to pioneer an innovative and forward-thinking approach to supporting forensic service users in the community. Our Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT) plays a vital role in helping individuals transition safely from secure settings into the community, supporting recovery, improving quality of life, reducing inequalities, and offering hope to those who may have experienced long-term detention.
Join a dynamic and supportive service where you can make a real difference, develop your career, and be part of shaping the future of forensic social work.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for applicants for a Forensic Social Worker/ Social Supervisor 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. In particular: -
You will work as part of the ground-breaking team 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. The applicant must have a qualification in social work and be registered with Social Work England.
At WLNHST we don’t just accept difference we actively celebrate it and support it for the benefit of our staff, our patients and our community. We are proud to be part of an equal opportunity work place.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For the detailed job description and main responsibilities please refer to the file attached to this vacancy.
Person specification
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- 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
Desirable
- Experience of community forensic working practises
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Qualification in Social Work with current Social Work England Registration.
Desirable
- Post Qualifying training and development
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Essential
- • 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 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 teach.
- • 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 development of services
- • Demonstrate the ability to understand the role of the Community Forensic Service.
- • Demonstrate ability for cross cultural working ensuring whatever the cultural background of clients they are treated holistically.
- • Demonstrate an ability to manage stress and competing demands prioritising appropriately.
- • Demonstrate skills associated with good documentation.
- • An ability to work as part of a team.
- • Ability to work in an autonomous manner.
Desirable
- • Demonstrate ability to supervise staff
- • Demonstrate ability to lead on projects and audits.
- • Demonstrate a good understanding of CPA and its application.
- • Demonstrate an ability to communicate complex issues to users and carers
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Forensic Social Worker with West London NHS Trust in Southall, London, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £45,953 - £54,254 Per Annum Inclusive of HCAS. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 07 Jul 2026.
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