Inpatient Social Worker

An exciting opportunity has emerged for an enthusiastic social worker keen to develop their skills in working with Autistic service users within an inpatient setting.

The National Autism Unit is a specialist inpatient psychiatric unit for men 18 years and over with high-functioning Autism and other complex needs that require inpatient admission. As a national service, the unit has a full compliment of multi-disciplinary staff from various disciplines such a Psychology; Occupational Therapy; Nursing; Social Work; Medical and other support staff. As a valued member of the MDT you will take a lead on social work tasks and bring a patient-centred and rights-based approach to the team.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will use social work knowledge and practice and be committed to undertake person centred work with individuals and families focussing on their strengths, interests and assets in accordance with the Care Act (2014). As part of a multidisciplinary team you will support the understanding and knowledge of the role of social work within mental health, as identified by the five role categories for Social Work for Better Mental Health.

You will work as a Social Worker in a multi-disciplinary team leading and contributing in all social care knowledge and skills including legislation and safeguarding with support from the Social Care Lead.

About us

You will be joining a friendly and welcoming team and be part of a service that is making a difference and moving forward.

As a teaching unit it has close links with the Institute of Psychiatry and access to leading experts in mental illness autism spectrum disorder.

You will have opportunity for personal and professional development with the support of an excellent clinical team with a solid track record for offering high quality of care and recently awarded an Outstanding CQC rating. You will be supported to access to regular supervision and assistance to continue your professional growth.

Job description
Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

1. To practice within strengths-based, rights -based and recovery focussed models. To use relevant mental health legislation, social care legislation, housing legislation, and law on mental capacity and support other staff with understanding these.

2. This role will report to a the NAU Social care Lead and have a specific focus on in-patient service users whose pathways are complex and affected by difficult legal, socio-economic-environmental determinants.

3. This role will work alongside the NAU Social Care Lead to deliver social work interventions to inpatients and particularly lead on the transition phase of their admission.

4. The post holder will act as a point of contact to facilitate optimal discharge pathways, ensuring that social work values and a holistic approach to effective and safe discharges are embedded in these pathways.

5. To support MDT colleagues to trouble-shoot barriers to commissioning/ securing funding for supported accommodation or other packages of care and support. This will include aftercare arrangements under S117 and MCA/Court of Protection pathways.

6. The post holder must be adept at prioritising the activities that will provide the most efficient, effective and safe step down or discharge outcomes and escalate any conditions that will prevent this from happening.

7. The post holder will participate in quality improvement plans within the existing CARE IS framework used by the NAU.

8. The post holder should be prepared to be flexible and creative to build rapport, engage with and meet the unique needs of this patient group.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

- Professional qualification in Social work and certificates
- Current registration with Social Work England
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development to master level or equivalent

Desirable

- AMHP and/or BIA
- Practice Educator

Experience
Essential

- Demonstrable experience of working within complex mental health service environment
- Significant post qualification experience of working with people with mental health problems
- Experience of multidisciplinary and inter-agency working
- Experience of implementing the principles and practice of the Recovery approach

Desirable

- Experience in working with Autistic service users, particularly those with "high-functioning" Autism
- Experience of working in an inpatient setting

Knowledge/Skills
Essential

- Good organisational skills
- Sound knowledge and skills in risk assessment
- Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
- Clear understanding of the Mental Health Act, Care Act, Housing Act, Mental Capacity Act/DoLs, Quality & Safety Governance, Clinical audit and relevant national policies

Desirable

- Knowledge of Autism Act 2009 and Transforming Care Programme

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address

National Autism Unit, Witley 1 Ward

Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road

Beckenham

BR3 3BX

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)