Forensic Social Worker
At a glance
- Band
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 24/08/2026
- Closes
- 07/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Sponsorship is not clearly stated in this advert.
The advert didn't contain a clear role-specific sponsorship line, so HiveMind can't confirm eligibility. Verify with the recruiting manager or trust HR before you apply.
Role summary
This role involves providing specialist forensic social work within secure mental health services, focusing on ethical and compassionate care. The post holder will offer holistic perspectives, support patient recovery, and ensure patient, family, and victim voices are heard. It requires strong analytical skills and emotional resilience to navigate complex situations and contribute to risk understanding and public protection.
Key responsibilities
- Deliver specialist forensic social work and high-quality assessments for patients in secure care.
- Prepare clear, concise reports for legal, clinical and public protection processes.
- Advise the multidisciplinary team on mental health legislation, rights and safeguarding.
- Assess risk and need using trauma-informed, holistic and anti-oppressive practice.
- Work directly with patients, families and victims to support engagement, safety and recovery.
- Lead safeguarding activity and work with external agencies such as local authorities and MAPPA.
Essential criteria
- Degree in Social Work or DipSW or CQSW
- Social Work England registration
- Post-qualifying training (with again formally or through evidenced on-the-job training) in relevant areas of social work and/or mental health
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
- Experience of working with individuals with mental health problems
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working, and promoting a social work/social care perspective
- Experience of presenting reports in formal setting, e.g. First Tier Tribunals Mental Health and Associate Hospital Managers Hearings
- Experience in risk assessment and risk management
- Experience in collaborative care planning
- Experience in working with families
- Experience of child and adult Safeguarding with mental health patients and their families
- Experience in supporting and training others on Social Work or AMHP placements
- Knowledge of particular aspects of the Mental Health Act and its associated Code of Practice, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Human Rights Act and criminal justice legislation relevant to Forensic Mental Health Social Work
- Detailed knowledge of identifying Responsible Local Authorities, Section 117 MHA, MAPPA, Victim Liaison, Carers' Rights and child and adult Safeguarding
- Written and verbal communication skills to engage with patients, carers and professionals of various levels of seniority across health and social care
- Knowledge of how to work effectively with professional networks to foster collaborative approaches and achieve results
- Interpersonal skills to manage highly complex emotional situations
- Analytic and judgement skills, dealing with highly complex situations where required to express professional social work opinions
- Ability to work with considerable professional autonomy as a solo social worker in a multidisciplinary team
- Planning and organisational skills to manage a caseload and meet deadlines
- Ability to undertake all statutory and mandatory training, including Breakaway (subject to Occupational Health clearance)
Desirable criteria
- AMHP qualification
- Qualifications relating to the Mental Capacity Act, e.g. Best Interest Assessor
- Relevant training in group work, family therapy, substance misuse interventions, or offence work
- Experience of working in an inpatient forensic mental health setting
- Experience of working with offenders
- Experience of working with adults with substance misuse or dual diagnosis
- Experience of working with adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Specialist knowledge in engaging with people with personality disorder and forensic histories
- Group facilitation skills
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 6 at £37,338 – £44,962 a year, across England.
This advert: £45,953 – £54,254 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 14d ago · Closes in 1d
Applications close soon — apply now if this is a fit.
Full advert · preview
West London NHS Trust
Forensic Social Worker
The closing date is 07 September 2026
Job summary
As a Forensic Social Worker, you'll play a key role in shaping safe, ethical and compassionate care for individuals in secure mental health services. Your insight will provide much needed holistic perspectives in decision making, support recovery, and help ensure that the voices of patients, families and victims are heard at every stage.
You'll bring strong analytical skills, emotional resilience and a commitment to trauma-informed, anti-oppressive practice. In return, you'll work within a highly skilled multidisciplinary team where your professional judgment is valued and your perspective is essential.
You will navigate complex situations, apply social work theory in depth, and contribute meaningfully to risk understanding and public protection.
If you're looking for a role with professional challenge, genuine impact, and the chance to develop specialist expertise in a nationally significant setting, this is the place to grow your career.
Main duties of the job
- Deliver specialist forensic social work and high-quality assessments for patients in secure care
- Prepare clear, concise reports for legal, clinical and public protection processes
- Advise the multidisciplinary team on mental health legislation, rights and safeguarding
- Assess risk and need using trauma
Join the community to read the full pack, responsibilities and person-specification in one place.
Your seat is reserved — activate it
CareerHive is included with your CareerHive Skool community membership. If you haven't claimed your account yet, join the community (or sign in with the same email you joined with) to unlock the full advert, the apply link, HiveMind AI interview & application suite, your private vault, and daily sponsorship alerts.