Social Worker

Job overview

This role is part of a new and exciting service providing forensic community service to a specialist group who require expert interventions. The FIND service works with adults with a diagnosis of a learning disability (LD) and/or Autism (ASD) who also experience additional mental illness, co-morbid neurodevelopmental conditions, or behaviours which challenge and who have had contact with forensic services.

The team covers the London boroughs of Wandsworth, Sutton, Merton, Kingston and Richmond. The team is informed by principles of assertive outreach and largely follows the PACT model.

The team is multidisciplinary and currently comprises of a Psychiatrist, Team Manager, Psychologist, Social Worker, Speech & Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Community Psychiatric Nurses, Assistant Psychologist and an Office Manager. Patients are seen at their homes and hostels and at a variety of community locations, and the job therefore involves a considerable amount of travel. The post holder will be responsible to the Team Manager and will receive professional supervision from the senior Social Worker.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will work within the Forensic service, providing support to individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism leaving secure mental health services across the South London Partnership (SLP) and those in the community.

The post holder will provide a high-quality service to an agreed caseload of service users and their carer’s, which will include care co-ordination and social supervision. The MDT team is a team of multi professionals with specialist skills and experience with the client group.

The post holder must be adept at prioritising the activities that will provide the most efficient, effective and safe step down or discharge pathway and escalate any conditions that will prevent this from happening. The post holder will also provide consultation, support and guidance to colleagues and service users in the community to reduce engagement with the criminal justice system.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To maintain a clear understanding of the patients with learning disabilities and/or ASD who have been placed in secure and specialist services throughout the SLP partnership by acting as a point of contact to attend CPAs, assertively manage discharge pathways and reduce risk of delayed discharge.

To participate in monitoring and reviewing of patients who are in conditions of medium and low security within the SLP as well as out of area. The post holder will be expected to ensure timely and personalised pathways in the least restrictive care/support settings, in line with the person’s recovery goals whilst building on their strengths.

The post holder must be able to demonstrate their ability to carry out comprehensive social care needs assessments, liaising closely with other health providers, placement providers and other key stakeholders.

To support and develop step down pathways, with personalised packages of care which support and build on people’s strengths and secure timely discharges.

To work with the Community Care Coordinators to facilitate transfer from out of borough service provision, liaising with local health care and commissioning teams, negotiating between different directorates.

As part of your care co-ordinator/social supervision role you will be expected to hold a case load.

The post holder must be a dedicated, organised and experienced practitioner with previous experience of working in the forensic services would be desirable. They must be able to communicate well with a range of people utilising a collaborative approach, and with a strong interest in delivering more personalised outcomes for people with highly complex needs.

The post holder must be adept at prioritising the activities that will provide the most efficient, effective and safe step down or discharge pathway and escalate any conditions that will prevent this from happening

The post holder will be responsible for the development and monitoring of the assigned care pathway quality and improvement plans, alongside the development of project specific policies and procedures with other senior members of the MDT.

The post holder, in conjunction with the management team, will ensure all service systems are embedded and sustainable (this will include audit and evidence-based care).

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.

Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.

Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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.