Forensic Inpatient Social Worker - Aylesbury and Milton Keynes

The post holder will work within a designated inpatient ward as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT). They will contribute to pre-admission assessments, particularly focusing on identifying any social issues that are relevant to the person's circumstances. The post holder will identify any potential barriers to discharge at the earliest possible stage and work with others to help overcome these. They will provide support to the wider ward team in regard to both children's and adult safeguarding responsibilities. The post holder will work with partner organisations and the wider MDT to ensure risk is managed effectively. They will contribute to the ongoing care planning for in-patients. The post holder will link with relevant colleagues, local authorities and CCGs to ensure that patients are assessed under the Care Act 2014 and that their Section 117 needs are assessed in a timely manner to support discharge as well as contributing to effective discharge
plans in collaboration with the patient and their family. They will contribute to various forums including Mental Health Tribunals and Mental Health Act Hospital Managers' Hearings. The post holder will demonstrate the skills to maintain their Social Work professional identity and assert the social perspective when working within an inpatient environment, To contribute to pre-admission assessments of patients referred to Forensic Services. This will include ascertaining information on section 117 responsibility, where applicable identifying nearest relatives and appropriate family, determining previous input from mental health services and other relevant agencies and identifying any potential child protection or family issues.
Identify social care issues on admission/ongoing and ensure that referrals to housing/ welfare benefits are made and that any issues regarding property and tenancy are dealt with at an early stage.
To have a working knowledge of relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Care Act and to contribute to assessments of needs within the Care Act 2014 and Section 117 Aftercare needs, working with Local Authority and Health partners to ensure arrangements are made for effective discharge planning.
Please see attached Job Description/Person Specification for full details.
+ All new starters have a 6 month probationary period. This, together with the induction process, aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale
+ Candidates not currently employed by the Trust who attend an interview for non-qualified Band 1-5 posts are required to undertake numeracy and literacy assessments.
+ Appointment to this post is subject to the trust receiving satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment or study. Please ask your referees to respond promptly to reference requests.
+ Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
+ We are ambitious in our pursuit of excellence, driven by the belief that a fair, just and fully inclusive organisational culture enables our teams to deliver the best quality of care and services possible and we work hard to ensure that our diverse workforce reflects the communities that we serve.
+ We welcome applications from all sections of the community, are an Equal Opportunities employer with a number of internal networking groups to support our employees and where possible will always look to make reasonable adjustments in order that you can fulfil the role to recognise your full potential. All our employees are committed to demonstrating through their behaviour our core values - safe, caring and excellent.
+ Oxford Health is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
+ Oxford is a world-renowned centre of excellence for research. Oxford Health works closely with the University of Oxford department of Psychiatry and the Department of Primary care, has a Biomedical Research Centre dedicated to improving mental health and the NIHR Clinical Research Facility at the Warneford site. The Trust also hosts the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) which carries out applied research that directly impacts patient health and wellbeing

We are looking for a highly motivated, qualified and registered Social Work professional who is keen to utilise their skills, and experience, to bring the social care perspective into the forensic mental health in-patient setting, to support service users in their recovery. The post will suit experienced candidates who are resilient, enjoy working as part of an MDT, and have the ability to be sensitive to the needs of services users, and the team, in a busy ward environment.
We would also welcome applications from Newly Qualified, registered Social Workers interested in the 'Assessed and Supported Year in Employment' (ASYE) development programme, to start at a Band 5 level, with a view to progressing to Band 6, on successful completion of the programme. As a Band 5 Social Worker, you will be provided with the training and ample support through the year, to enable you to thrive in the role as a Forensic In-patient Social Worker, and progress to Band 6 on completion.
The post is ward-based, and will cover our Low Secure Ward in Aylesbury, and input into our Medium-secure Rehab Ward in Milton Keynes.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has been rated as Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
We are a responsive and innovative Foundation Trust that places our values of Caring, Safe and Excellent at the heart of everything we do. We take great pride in our staff and believe that investing in you is key to us achieving our vision of outstanding care delivered by outstanding people.
We work with a wide range of partner organisations to deliver care and support to people in their own homes and from a number of hospitals and community bases. We focus on delivering care as close to home as possible for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.
Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible
Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"
Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"
At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
+ Excellent opportunities for career progression
+ Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
+ 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
+ NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
+ Competitive pension scheme
+ Lease car scheme
+ Cycle to work scheme
+ Employee Assistance Programme
+ Mental Health First Aiders
+ Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
+ Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team