Job requirements
Essential
18 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
The applicant must have a minimum of two years post graduate Social Work experience.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
The applicant must have two years post qualification experience in a mental health setting.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
The applicant must have experience of autonomous working as a social worker.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate an ability to undertake assessments of risk using specific risk assessment tools.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate an ability to formulate implement and evaluate programmes of care for those individuals in the Community Forensic Service and those being referred.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
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
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate knowledge of actuarial and clinical risk assessment and how this might be applied to the management of clients.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate knowledge of Part 3 of the Mental Health Act and its application to Mentally Disordered Offenders.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate knowledge of the Criminal Justice Act and its implication for the management of Forensic clients.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate an ability to work with a range of organisations including Courts, Police and Probation, ministry of Justice.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate good communication skills, especially listening, empathy, facilitation, persuasion, motivation, negotiation, education, and reassurance.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate ability to lead projects and development of services
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate the ability to understand the role of the Community Forensic Service.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate ability for cross cultural working ensuring whatever the cultural background of clients they are treated holistically
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate an ability to manage stress and competing demands prioritising appropriately
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate skills associated with good documentation.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
An ability to work as part of a team.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Ability to work in an autonomous manner
Desirable
8 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Qualifications and Training
Post Qualifying training and development
- Qualifications and Training
Qualification in Social Work with current Social Work England Registration.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Experience of community forensic working practises
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate ability to supervise staff
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate ability to lead on projects and audits.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate an ability to teach.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate a good understanding of CPA and its application.
- Experience / Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrate an ability to communicate complex issues to users and carers.
Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity for a Social Worker with experience of, or an interest in, forensic social work.
West London Forensic Service provides inpatient care for adults detained under the Mental Health Act within low and medium secure settings. The service supports recovery while maintaining safety for service users, staff, and the wider community.
This role focuses on providing social work support within a low secure pre-discharge service. Working as part of a well-established multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to safeguarding, statutory responsibilities, carer support, discharge planning, and risk management.
The Trust is also leading an innovative NHS England initiative through the Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT), supporting service users to transition successfully from secure settings into the community and improve long-term outcomes and quality of life.
We welcome applications from experienced Social Workers, including those from non-forensic backgrounds who can demonstrate strong transferable skills and a person-centred approach.
You will join a supportive and experienced team, with access to regular supervision, manageable caseloads, and a wide range of professional development opportunities across the Trust.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for applicants for a Senior Mental Health Practitioner 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.
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
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Mental Health Practitioner (Band 7) with West London NHS Trust in Southall, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Mental health practitioner role. The advertised salary is £55,524 - £62,652 per annum including Outer London HCAS - Pro Rata. The contract type is 6 months (Fixed Term / Secondment). The application deadline is 28 Oct 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (15 Oct 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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