Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated social worker to join the Multi-Disciplinary Team based at the Chichester Centre, a low secure hospital managed by the Forensic Healthcare Service (FHS), to cover maternity leave.  You will be part of the wider FHS social work team, working alongside people with mental health issues and challenging or offending behaviour, their friends and families and their professional network to develop care pathways.

As a Social Worker in the FHS, you must be motivated and hard working with a passion for delivering high quality care. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to effective team working, have excellent communication, assessment and risk management skills and be prepared to be actively involved in interventions to prepare people for discharge to the community. In return we offer a stimulating and supportive work environment, supervision, opportunities for personal and professional development, full trust induction and training. 

Main duties of the job

•    Provide for the social care needs of patients with challenging behaviours and/or offending behaviour detained on the ward in conditions of low security.
•    As part of multi-disciplinary team attend ward rounds and CPA's and undertake related work.
•    Carry out a range of social work responsibilities within framework of NHS and Community Care Act.
•    With training and support, develop an understanding of the legal duties as related to this client group including MHA 1983 (Part III), DVCA 2004 and MCA 2005.
•    With training and support, develop excellent report writing skills and the ability to prepare and present evidence to statutory bodies such as MHT's, Ministry of Justice and Parole Board.
•    With training and support, develop an understanding of multi-agency working in relation to risk management including information sharing protocols in the interest of public protection.
•    Liaise with families, friends and social networks to gather information and to offer support and sign posting where appropriate.
•    Understand, respect and work within Protected Characteristics of Equalities Act 2010.

Working for our organisation

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 employ approximately 5000 staff, serve a total catchment population of more than 2 million and generate an income of £250 million.

The Trust delivers services via 5 Care Delivery Services (CDS), tasked with providing overarching leadership for care groups and / or geographical areas. Each CDS is led by an operational director and a clinical director, with a multi-disciplinary leadership team (including a range of clinical professions as well as business, finance, HR, IT and estates and facilities support staff) providing additional leadership and governance oversight. The CDS model supports continuous service improvement for patients and carers, is supported by Clinical Academic Groups and aligns with our Trust Values, Organisational Strategy and Clinical Strategy. The Trust strives to provide consistently high-quality services, working in partnership with each other, the people who use our services and other organisations.