Social Worker - Inpatients

Job overview

Are you a passionate & motivated Social Worker who wants to make a real difference at a critical point in people’s lives? We are excited to welcome  Band 6 Social Workers to our supportive Mental Health Inpatient Services, working across Lynfield Mount Hospital &Airedale Centre for Mental Health.

In this rewarding role, you’ll be at the heart of the inpatient journey,  supporting safe, timely & empowering transfers of care. Working closely with multidisciplinary inpatient & community teams, patients, families, carers & partner agencies, you’ll help remove barriers to discharge & ensure people are supported to move forward with confidence.

You’ll provide skilled social work input, including Care Act assessments & expert advice on the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act & safeguarding legislation. You will champion rights-based, strengths-focused & trauma‑informed practice, offering practical social interventions during admission & contributing meaningfully to care planning & biopsychosocial formulation.

We’re looking for SW England registered Social Workers with post‑qualifying mental health experience, strong professional judgement & excellent communication skills. In return, we offer high-quality supervision, genuine opportunities for development, and the chance to work in a team that truly values social work.

Closing Date:  17th May 26

Shortlisting Date:  19th May 26

Provisional Interview Date: 29th May 26 & 1st June 26 (may be subject to change)

Main duties of the job

• Provide high-quality social work input within mental health inpatient wards, supporting safe, timely and person‑centred transfers of care.
• Undertake Care Act assessments, support Care Coordinators with eligibility decisions, and contribute to funding processes including Section 117 and CHC.
• Offer expert advice and legal literacy relating to the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, safeguarding and housing legislation.
• Work closely with inpatient and community multidisciplinary teams, the Trust’s Flow Management Team, and partner agencies to identify and remove barriers to discharge.
• Engage effectively with patients, families and carers, using strengths‑based, rights‑focused and trauma‑informed practice.
• Assess and manage risk, contributing to robust care planning and biopsychosocial formulation.
• Support brief social interventions during admission to address social, housing and safeguarding concerns.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in line with Trust, Local Authority and GDPR requirements.
• Promote anti‑discriminatory, anti‑oppressive and inclusive practice at all times.
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement, audits and supervision as required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please read the attached Job description and person specification for further details about this role.

Right to Work in the UK

Applicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.

Prior to your appointment you will be asked to provide confirmation of your right to work and reside in the UK. During your continued employment with the Trust, you have a personal responsibility to notify your manager as soon as possible should there be any changes to your right to work status.

Regrettably, if the role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Trust’s eligibility criteria, the Trust are unable to extend your employment beyond the expiration of your current visa. The Trust is not responsible or liable for ensuring that your employment continues after this period.

As a condition of continuous employment, it essential you maintain the legal right to work in the United Kingdom throughout the duration of your employment with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT). Any change in your right-to-work status, including but not limited to visa expiration, revocation, or denial of renewal, may impact your eligibility for employment with the Trust. It is your responsibility to promptly inform your Line Manager of any changes in your right-to-work status immediately and to provide necessary documentation for verification purposes. Failure to obtain or renew your visa in a timely manner is a breach of employment conditions and will result in termination of your employment. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your commitment to fulfilling this requirement promptly.