Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a specialised setting where you can develop your knowledge, skills and your Forensic Social Worker career.



You will be a pivotal part of the multidisciplinary team providing high quality care and applying social work values in a secure hospital setting. This role is ideal for a resilient social worker who enjoys working as part of an MDT and is passionate about supporting patients through their recovery journey, ultimately achieving their discharge from hospital.



Work within an inpatient ward as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT).

Research and compile social history reports.

Identify any potential barriers to discharge at the earliest possible stage, and work with others to help overcome these.

Provide support to the wider ward team regarding both children's and adult safeguarding responsibilities.

Contribute to the ongoing care planning for in-patients, and work with partner organisations and the wider MDT to ensure risk is managed effectively. You'll be linking with relevant colleagues, Responsible Local Authorities and Integrated Care Boards to ensure that patients are assessed under the Care Act 2014 and that their 'Section 117' needs are determined promptly, to facilitate effective discharge, in collaboration with the patient and their family.

Contribute to various statutory forums, including Mental Health Tribunals and Mental Health Act Hospital Managers' Hearings.

Lead on liaison with external agencies, including MAPPA, probation and the Victim Contact Scheme.

Demonstrate the skills to maintain their Social Work professional identity and ability to assert the social perspective when working within an inpatient environment.



We are the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway. Our teams support adults with a wide range of mental health needs. Because we cover the whole county and both hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the 1.8 million people of Kent and Medway. Rated 'Good' by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 in the community each year.

Our vision is simple:

We are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. And everything we do is guided by our values caring, inclusive, curious and confident.



Join us - if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's doing well together.



Please refer to the attached job description for the full details on the responsibilities and person specification



We are serious about diversity and inclusion, and we are working hard to build this into our DNA. We warmly welcome applications for any of our roles from people from diverse backgrounds, and we are proactively encouraging applications from under-represented communities for our more senior roles, like this one.



The post holder will be supported to manage an agreed caseload of highly complex forensic work. You will assist our inpatients to maintain links with their local community, and their families where appropriate. You will liaise closely with community teams and other agencies and support the Medium Secure Services' own MDT. You may be expected to undertake some travel in relation to your duties.



Newly qualified staff may apply but will need to go through their ASYE at Band 5 and once completed, they will move to Band 6 thereafter.



The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).



Please see the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities of the role.