Social Work Lead - Forensic Services

Job summary We are really excited to be able to offer an experienced, independent, innovative individual with the skills, enthusiasm and vision, an opportunity to become the Lead Social Worker for the Forensic and Specialist Directorate at Kent and Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust.
The lead forensic social worker is a key member of the directorate Senior Management Team and will work closely with the other heads of profession, operational managers and business partners within the team to ensure that the directorate continues to provide the best possible care to the service users it supports.
This lead role includes taking responsibility for the effective delivery of social work within an inpatient setting, working with people over the duration of their time with our service.
You will also lead on the directorate management and response to Safeguarding and promoting this across both sites.
You will understand the relationship to and potential, of the Social Model of Care in the context of an NHS mental health service.
Needless to say, the post requires significant experience of social work and the concomitant, relevant areas of practice, theory, policy and legislation.
Social workers are often called upon to provide clarity and direction in sensitive and complex situations.
The office base is negotiable between Dartford and Maidstone.
Main duties of the job Provide effective leadership and direction in the above Effectively and efficiently manage budgetary and staffing resources Ensure effective communication of highly complex and sensitive information across a wide range of individuals, organisations and diverse groups Support compliance with contracted Key Performance Indicators for those areas of responsibility Ensure effective multi-professional and multi-agency working is facilitated across areas of responsibility Ensure person-centred planning approaches, so that the service user remains central to what we do Promote and encourage a learning and development culture Take an active role in clinical governance processes The post holder will need to be highly organised, able to prioritise conflicting demands and deliver to deadlines.
They must possess the professional knowledge and attributes to strategically and professionally lead the Forensic and Specialist social work department, innovate current practice, manage change, address quality issues and support the achievement of social work, directorate and trust strategic objectives.
The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
About us Come and work with us in the Garden of England where we combine exceptional professional development opportunities with a tremendous quality of life.
We are Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), providing mental health, learning disability and specialist services, serving million people in Kent and Medway, as well as specialist services for adults in Sussex and Surrey.
We are rated Good overall by the CQC.
Each year we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 people in the community.
We are proud to employ over 3,800 people from 66 nationalities, and to serve an increasingly diverse range of communities across rural and urban areas.
You will be joining friendly, passionate colleagues, rich in their diversity, who are committed to providing excellent care to our service users and their loved ones.
The nature of our work attracts kindness and compassion as standard and everyone from our cleaners and porters to the chief executive and chairman are recognised as playing a vital role in providing an exemplary service.
Our strategy Our mission is what we set out to do every dayWe deliver brilliant care through brilliant people Our vision is where we want to be in the futureTo provide outstanding care and to work in partnership to deliver this in the right place, for every service user, every time.
Job description Job responsibilities To provide effective leadership and direction to those areas of responsibility.
To effectively manage budgetary and staffing resources and ensure compliance Ensure effective communication of highly complex and sensitive information across a wide range of individuals, organisations and diverse groups.
Ensure compliance with contracted Key Performance Indicators for those areas of responsibility.
Ensure effective multi-professional and multi-agency working is facilitated across areas of responsibility.
To actively manage organisational and service change within resource parameters.
Ensure the implementation of person -centred planning approaches, as appropriate, across areas of responsibility.
To actively promote and encourage a learning and development culture.
Take an active role in clinical governance processes Ensure adherence with Mental Health Act 2007 requirements and all other relevant legislation If you interested in applying for this exciting opportunity, would like to know more about the role, how it has become available, plus support and development during the secondment, please contact Julie-Anne Meadows, Service Director, Forensic and Specialist Directorate, or call 07985 158505.
At KMPT, we are serious about diversity and about inclusion, and we are working hard to build this into our DNA.
We warmly welcome applications for any of our roles from people from diverse backgrounds, and we are proactively encouraging applications from under-represented communities for our more senior roles, like this one.
What is High Cost Area Allowance?
The High-Cost Area (HCA) allowance, also referred to as London Weighting is a payment made to employees who work in London and the surrounding areas.
If based in Dartford, the successful applicant will receive an additional payment each month.
5% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £1,258 and a maximum payment of £2,122.
(the agreed annual amount will be divided into 12 equal amounts and paid monthly).
Person Specification Education / Qualifications Essential Recognised Professional Qualification in social work Experience Essential Senior Management Experience in running large multidisciplinary teams with significant clinical and business delivery targets.
Experience of leading and managing change to deliver organisational goals.
Experience of leading business planning processes and delivering targets within an agreed budget.
Knowledge and Skills Essential Able to develop close collaborative working relationship between individuals, teams and organisations.
Leadership skills especially the ability to lead and manage change through influence without direct management.
Able to negotiate and reach compromises in a manner which inspires confidence and respect from others.
Personal Qualities Essential Able to recognise own strengths and limitations and ability to seek advice when needed.
Have high levels of emotional intelligence and use this with sensitivity and diplomacy.