Substantive - 37.5 Hours Per Week

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic senior social worker to join the Forensic Outreach Liaison Service for Learning Disability and/or Autism (FOLS LDA).

The FOLS LDA service work with adults with a diagnosed learning disability and/or autism who are at risk of contact, or in contact with, the criminal justice system. The service covers West Yorkshire and Barnsley and is a multi-disciplinary team of professionals.

FOLS is an evolving, dynamic service that provides a formulation driven, trauma informed and strengths-based approach to risk management. Clinical decisions and risk management are regularly reviewed together as an MDT. The team provides risk assessment, direct therapeutic interventions and supports transitioning out of secure settings to patients, as well as consultation, advice, supervision and training to relevant services and partners.

The service works with Forensic CAMHS to ensure a smooth transition for children with a learning disability or autism who require ongoing Forensic input.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients

Main duties of the job

The social worker post will sit within the senior leadership structure. The post-holder will be actively involved in the transition pathway, providing consultation and advice to secure care services and partner agencies, ensuring children in forensic services who require ongoing support from FOLS as an adult have a smooth transition to adult services, starting from 17.5 years old.

The post holder will be responsible for a clinical caseload that includes risk assessment, intervention and consultation to patients and services supporting the patient. The successful candidate will receive training in specialist forensic risk assessment and formulation to hone their skills.

The service is an evolving service and the post-holder will have opportunities to contribute to service development.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The FOLS LDA service provide care to adults with a learning disability and/or autism who are at risk of, or in, contact with the criminal justice system.The service covers West Yorkshire and Barnsley.The team has an MDT of varied health professionals. The social worker post will sit within the senior leadership structure.

The post-holder will be actively involved in the transition pathway, providing consultation and advice to secure care services and partner agencies, ensuring children from 17.5 years old have a smooth transition to adult services. The post holder will receive training in forensic risk assessment and management and there are further CPD opportunities within the team.

The post holder will be responsible for a clinical caseload that includes risk assessment, intervention and consultation to services supporting the patient.

The service is an evolving, dynamic service and the post-holder will have opportunities to contribute to service development. The service provides a formulation driven, trauma informed and strengths-based approach to risk management. Clinical decisions and risk management are regularly reviewed together as an MDT.

Key Result Areas:

To comply with the post holders professional code and Health Care Professions Council code of ethics and professional conduct and to adhere to national and local policies and procedures.

To work in a specialised autonomous capacity accepting referrals for patients/service users referred to your clinical area. Giving advice and support to other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

To be professionally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work, including management of patients with complex needs.

To plan and prioritise own patient caseload (where appropriate), with highly complex needs, using highly specialist skills.

To work with patients/families to aid their acceptance, understanding and management of their condition/disability. To provide the necessary support required in a sometimes hostile/antagonistic or highly emotional atmosphere.

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or equivalent in Diploma in Social Work, or equivalent recognised by the Central Council for Education & Training in Social Work
• Current valid HCPC registration

Desirable

• MSC/Diploma in relevant area

Training

Essential

• Evidence of continuing professional development and post graduate training in relevant area
• Have demonstrable competence to work at Masters or Advanced Level
• Experience of managing and assessing risk whilst working independently

Desirable

• Management or leadership training
• Risk Assessment training
• Audit training

Special Knowledge/Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Excellent leadership skills
• Excellent teaching skills
• Supervision skills
• Ability to demonstrate highly specialised clinical reasoning and treatment skills
• Excellent team working skills
• Proven experience of time management
• Excellent Prioritisation skills
• Negotiating skills
• Knowledge of local and national guidance relevant to clinical area

Desirable

• Basic IT skills

Physical Attributes

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post
• A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy)
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability)

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Ability to risk assess and deal with health and safety matters for own and others work area and caseloads
• Ability to work autonomously
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service possibly including evenings and weekend working

Experience

Essential

• Extensive appropriate post-registration experience relevant to clinical area
• Experience in supervising and managing staff

Employer details

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Fieldhead Hospital,

Ouchthorpe Lane,

Wakefield,

West Yorkshire,

WF1 3SP

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

C9378-F0535