About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Social Work Lead to provide senior professional leadership across Forensic Health Service (FHS) and Learning Disabilities (LD) within the Specialist Division. This is a key leadership role, responsible for driving high-quality, lawful and person-centred social work practice, supporting a skilled workforce, and influencing service development across the Trust. You will need experience and knowledge of relevant legislation including Part 3 of the Mental Health Act, safeguarding frameworks and professional standards. Experience of delivering supervision, workforce development and multidisciplinary collaboration as well as ability to provide highly specialist advice and consultation is required.
The post holder will work closely with the Director of Social Work and Associate Clinical Directors, and internal and external partners to ensure excellence in safeguarding, professional standards, workforce development and service user experience.
Main duties of the job
The post holder is responsible for the Forensic Health Service (FHS) and Learning Disabilities (LD) Social Work team within the Specialist Division.To facilitate social workers to become involved in service planning and decision making.To ensure effective professional supervision of FHS Practitioners and all LD social workers across the Division and complete their appraisals with their line manager.Lead of safeguarding adults at risk across FHS and LD including SAR audit with the LA.Lead on delivery of carer strategy across FHS/LD.To be a member of FHS funding panel.Undertake other roles and tasks as required by the Service Director.
About us
We provide NHS care and treatment to children, young people, adults and older people who have mental health problems, learning disabilities or neurodiversity needs.
We employ about 5,700 staff. Many of our services are provided in partnership with other organisations. We provide care in people's homes, in specialist clinics, hospitals and GP surgeries.
As well as being a provider of services across Sussex we also commission specialist beds. Working with NHS and independent sector healthcare organisations across the South-East we are the lead provider in three Provider Collaboratives. These cover adult eating disorders, secure care and children and young people inpatient services.
Sussex Partnership was formed in April 2006 as an NHS Trust and established as an NHS Foundation Trust with teaching trust status in August 2008. We work closely with Brighton and Sussex Medical School, a partnership between the Universities of Brighton and Sussex. In 2015, we became a member of the Association of UK University Hospitals, the representative body for university hospitals with major teaching and research interests across the UK and internationally.
Our services are rated 'good' by the Care Quality Commission and 'outstanding' for caring. We work closely with other health and care partners to provide the best possible care to our local populations. We have strengths in innovation, including our work in the field of research and development.
Job description Job responsibilities
To independently prescribe care and make decisions about the direction and type of care the service user receives.To work autonomously, within professional and Trust guidelines and to exercise responsibility for the systematic governance of professional practice of Social Workers, nonregistered social work staff and, where appropriate, other staff and to ensure that appropriate training, consultation and supervision structures are in place and consistent with national and Trust guidelines.To work directly with multi-professional teams to assist in the management of risk, facilitation of complex case reviews and immediate crisis management, Provide expert care group Social Work opinion and advice within other areas of the trust.To propose and lead on policy and service changes that impact both on the service area and throughout the Trust.Provide expert clinical supervision and mentoring for staff working within the care group through formal clinical supervision, supervised clinical practice, case conferences and skills modelling.Establish and maintain standards, guidelines and protocols that advance Social Work and multi-professional practice and promote and implement these within the care group and influence the implementation in other services.To establish and develop proactive and positive relationships with professional leads across care groups and clinical teams.To provide expert mental health Social Work advice within Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and with other agencies as appropriate including social services, Primary Care Trusts, User/ Carer representative groups and voluntary agencies.To influence Social Work at a Trust wide level, leading on major developmental projects that impact Trust wide.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Qualified Social Worker with current registration appropriate to the job role Evidence of master's level education in related area or equivalent Evidence of significant relevant professional development
Knowledge/Experience Essential
Experience as a Forensic SW Practitioner Professional forensic social work competence with thorough MHA understanding and social supervision with a focus on Part 3 MHA Thorough understanding of relevant legislation Extensive clinical experience and practice in the care group in a range of settings. Expert knowledge of Social Work practice and multidisciplinary team working Evidence of inter-professional collaboration Advanced decision-making skills that reflect a patient/carer focus Evidence of publication experience Evidence of implementing innovative practice Evidence of conducting audit/research Evidence of ability to drive change forwards through excellent leadership and the ability to create strategic vision Able to demonstrate expert advice within the field of Forensic Mental Health and Learning Disability for the care group Able to demonstrate lateral thinking and generate novel solutions to meet the needs of this client group Promotion of best practice through clinical governance mechanisms Demonstrate evidence of successful change management within complex teams
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address The Firs
The Drive
Hellingly
BN27 4ER
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)