Social Worker
At a glance
- Band
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time
- Posted
- 17/09/2026
- Closes
- 01/10/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This role is for a Social Worker within the Forensic Community Service (FIND service), supporting adults with learning disabilities and/or autism who also have mental illness or challenging behaviours and have had contact with forensic services. The post holder will provide high-quality care coordination and social supervision to an agreed caseload, focusing on efficient discharge pathways. They will work autonomously within a multidisciplinary team, providing consultation and guidance to reduce engagement with the criminal justice system.
Key responsibilities
- Maintain a clear understanding of patients with learning disabilities and/or ASD in secure and specialist services, acting as a point of contact for CPAs and managing discharge pathways.
- Participate in monitoring and reviewing patients in medium and low security, ensuring timely and personalised pathways in the least restrictive settings.
- Carry out comprehensive social care needs assessments, liaising with health providers, placement providers, and key stakeholders.
- Support and develop step-down pathways with personalised care packages to secure timely discharges.
- Work with Community Care Coordinators to facilitate transfers from out-of-borough service provision and manage a caseload as part of care coordinator/social supervision.
Essential criteria
- Post qualifying experience as a social worker
- Experience of working autonomously within a multi-disciplinary environment
- Experience of working with people with complex mental health needs
- Experience of working with people with LD and ASD needs
- Ongoing evidence of continuing professional development
- Relevant professional qualification Social Work, educated to masters level, or have other relevant experience
- Registered with Social Work England
- Specialist knowledge of social work practice in severe and enduring mental illness and/or forensic setting
- Specialist knowledge of social work practice when working with service-user who have complex needs because of having LD and ASD needs.
- Knowledge and understanding of current mental health legislation and associated guidance
- Knowledge of counselling skills, group skills, cognitive skills, and behavioural skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills at all levels in both Social Services and Health
- Ability to work with considerable autonomy as a solo social worker in a multidisciplinary team
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working with service users in forensic services
- Experience of working with adults with substance misuse or dual diagnosis
- Demonstrate experience or skills to develop a positive leadership for social work profession in a MDT setting, as well as across wider Trust
- AMHP training
- BIA training
- Specialist clinical skills in relation to engaging with people with mental disorder who have committed an offence.
- Providing consultation with regards to the management of people with LD and ASD.
- Teaching skills including training others
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 7 at £46,148 – £52,809 a year, across England.
This advert: £58,133 – £65,261 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 14d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust
Social Worker
The closing date is 01 October 2026
Job summary
This role is part of a new and exciting service providing forensic community service to a specialist group who require expert interventions. The FIND service works with adults with a diagnosis of a learning disability (LD) and/or Autism (ASD) who also experience additional mental illness, co-morbid neurodevelopmental conditions, or behaviours which challenge and who have had contact with forensic services.
The team covers the London boroughs of Wandsworth, Sutton, Merton, Kingston and Richmond. The team is informed by principles of assertive outreach and largely follows the PACT model.
The team is multidisciplinary and currently comprises of a Psychiatrist, Team Manager, Psychologist, Social Worker, Speech & Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Community Psychiatric Nurses, Assistant Psychologist and an Office Manager. Patients are seen at their homes and hostels and at a variety of community locations, and the job therefore involves a considerable amount of travel. The post holder will be responsible to the Team Manager and will receive professional supervision from the senior Social Worker.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will work within the Forensic service, providing support to individuals with learning disabilitie
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