Job summary
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An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and highly motivated Social Worker to join us in a unique post in Ashford Low Secure Forensic Learning Disabilities Service, with one a day a week in our exciting co-located Community Forensic Learning Disabilities Team.
You must be able to work sensitively with people with Learning Disabilities and complex needs who have come into contact with the criminal justice system. You will be committed to Person Centred Practice and skilled at working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary colleagues and a wider network of other services to support the discharge and successful in transition into the community.
The role provides excellent learning opportunities, and you will be welcomed into a supportive, friendly, and highly skilled team with a positive, compassionate approach to working with people who have complex forensic needs. We work with a strong multidisciplinary ethos, which is underpinned by formulation, clinical supervision, and reflective practice alongside the Good Lives Model.
Main duties of the job
The Forensic Social Worker will provide case management to a defined caseload and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues to assess needs and risks within a forensic patient population.
The Forensic Social Worker will provide a professional social work service to service users, their families and carers and routinely work in collaboration with them, MDT colleagues and external stakeholders from the point of pre-admission to discharge
The Forensic Social Worker will write (and present within formal settings) Admission Social History Reports, Reports for CPA Meetings, Managers Hearings and Mental Health Tribunals, and Funding Panels.
You will model good practice, setting standards and expectations for others.
To deputise for the Senior Forensic Social worker at Social Care at a range of operational and clinical meetings, when required.
The Forensic Social Worker to support the social care needs of service users in the context of relevant health and social care legislation and policy frameworks including but not limited to:
Community Learning Disabilities Team
In line with above.
Working with patient who have been discharged in to the community or living in the community with complex forensic needs. Liaising with key stakeholders such as Local Authority and Probation.
Supporting Transition from hospital other than Ashford alongside wider FCLDT team not care co-ordinator.
See attached document for more information.
About us
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation, bringing together expertise from across mental health, learning disabilities, community, and physical health services. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality, and accessible care to the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
With over 13,000 dedicated staff working across more than 300 sites, we place patients and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our goal is to create an integrated healthcare system that improves accessibility and ensures more consistent care for patients. By working together, we aim to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation, and meet the unique needs of the populations we serve.
Our Trust unites services from Southern Health, Solent NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trusts community and mental health teams, as well as Hampshire CAMHS, originally part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This transformation enables us to deliver more seamless care across the region, ensuring that patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are deeply committed to our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, and offer outstanding opportunities for career development, training, and collaborative working.
Details
- Date posted: 22 June 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 6
- Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year PRO RATA FOR PART TIME HOURS
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Part-time
- Reference number: 348-SAC-11241
- Job locations: Ashford Unit, Tatchbury Mount, Calmore, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 2RZ, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.
We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Suitable post qualifying experience as a Social Worker.
- Good working knowledge of legislative guidance and policy e.g., Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Human Rights Act and criminal justice frameworks e.g., MAPPA, Victim Liaison, MARAC and Carers' Rights.
- Knowledge and application of professional standards, codes of conduct and Social Work England standards of proficiency and Professional Capabilities Framework PCF.
- Good working understanding of Information Governance, Data Protection, and confidentiality.
- Ability to assess and manage cases in a multidisciplinary team setting.
- Skilled at assessing and implementing risk management frameworks.
- Skilled at assessing and promoting the involvement of people in developing their own care/ support plans using a strength and asset- based approach.
- An understanding of Equality, Inclusion, and protected characteristics.
- Experience of working with service users with mental disorders and or learning disabilities.
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working and promoting social work and social care.
- Experience of presenting reports in formal setting, e.g., Courts, Mental Health Tribunals, Safeguarding Strategy.
- Experience in working with families.
- Experience of child and adult safeguarding
Desirable
- Experience of working with forensic service users.
- Experience of supervising others.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Social Work or DipSW or CQSW.
- Current Social Work England registration.
- Post-qualifying training formally or work based in relevant areas of social work and/or mental health, learning disability or forensics.
- Hold or a willingness to obtain Practice Educator Qualification 1 and 2 PEPS.
Desirable
- Masters Degree (MSW) or Post Graduate (PGDipSW)
- Qualifications relating to the Mental Capacity Act, e.g., Best Interest Assessor.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Social Worker - Inpatient and Forensic Community LD Team with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in Southampton, South East, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £39,959 to £48,117 a year. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 05 Jul 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 (22 Jun 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job 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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