Job Description

Providing quality, inspiring innovation and delivering value is what we set out to achieve at Priory Healthcare. Enabling our patients with mental health illness to receive a truly integrated and holistic approach to their treatment, regardless of complexity or severity, thanks to the knowledge and expertise of our multidisciplinary clinical teams.



Main Purpose



Co-ordinates, negotiates and manages the mandatory processes and procedures to ensure the unit's compliance with current legislation and statutory regulation. Using skills, knowledge and understanding of practice in the specialist area of forensic social work, to provide a service to patients within the secure environment.



Key Accountabilities



To contribute to the provision of multi-disciplinary pre-admission assessments of patients referred to Hazelwood House, with the key responsibility for obtaining and verifying information regarding a patient's family, victim issues and any other third party information

To identify and contribute to the assessment and management of risk, whilst balancing the need for public protection

To research, by obtaining and analyzing previous reports, conducting collateral interviews with the patient, family members, victims and community professional

To compile statutory reports and other associated documentation under current legislation and present these at ward rounds, care treatment review meetings, care program approach meetings, mental health review tribunals, and hospital managers' hearings, as the detaining authority, offering verbal evidence in support of their contents

To offer a Social Work perspective to work with patients and the multi-disciplinary team highlighting and challenging discriminatory structures and practices where identified

To maintain accurate and up-to-date internal and statutory records that may be required as evidence in formal proceedings

Act as the main contact between relatives, agencies and other official organizations taking a lead in negotiations and communications regarding patients, together with risk issues within the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA)

To act as Appropriate Adult (under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act) for patients when required



Knowledge and Skills



A degree level social work qualification and registration with Social work England, together with detailed knowledge and comprehensive understanding of relevant legislation



Experience



Must have at least 1-2 years experience within a forensic, criminal justice or mental health setting where the role holder has acquired well developed skills in the assessment and management of individuals with mental health or forensic backgrounds

Frequently manages highly complex, sensitive or potentially volatile situations whilst retaining the confidence of patients, carers and families. The role holder also requires exceptional inter-personal skills