Forensic Inpatient Social care Team Manager

Overview

In this role you will provide senior clinical leadership and management of the Inpatient Social Care Team at Guild Lodge, ensuring high-quality forensic social care within a secure setting. You will lead social care input across discharge planning, pre-admission assessments and pathway development, guiding service improvement and ensuring alignment with legislation and safeguarding. You’ll work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues, partner agencies and commissioners to support timely discharges and patient participation in care planning. This is a mission-driven role focused on applying expert social work practice to improve outcomes in forensic mental health.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible working patterns
• wellbeing resources and support
• diverse and inclusive workplace
• opportunities for professional development

Responsibilities

• Provide line management and clinical leadership to the Discharge Pathway Facilitators (Inpatient Social Workers)
• Conduct holistic social work assessments pre-admission and identify social care needs
• Lead discharge planning and early barrier identification to prevent unnecessary delays
• Coordinate family work, advocacy and signposting (housing, debt, supported employment, self-help groups)
• Promote adherence to legislation related to social care, safeguarding, mental capacity and human rights
• Foster liaison and collaboration with internal and external agencies; support hospital discharge/signposting
• Champion patient participation in individualised care planning and service development
• Participate in clinical care improvement initiatives and service delivery improvements

Key requirements

• Registered Social Worker with Social Work England
• CPD / continuing professional development
• Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable equivalent experience
• Expert knowledge of mental health issues and forensic mental health best practice
• Ability to work autonomously and set priorities for self and others
• Extensive Band 6+ level experience and recent experience leading staff
• Experience participating in clinical care improvement initiatives
• UK registration and DBS check compliance

• leadership
• interagency collaboration
• communication
• expert forensic mental health knowledge
• safeguarding and mental capacity legislation
• discharge planning and care pathways

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