Social Work Professional Lead for Forensics and Learning Disabilities

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Social Work Lead to provide senior professional leadership across Forensic Health Service (FHS) and Learning Disabilities (LD) within the Specialist Division. This is a key leadership role, responsible for driving high-quality, lawful and person-centred social work practice, supporting a skilled workforce, and influencing service development across the Trust. You will need experience and knowledge of relevant legislation including Part 3 of the Mental Health Act, safeguarding frameworks and professional standards. Experience of delivering supervision, workforce development and multidisciplinary collaboration as well as ability to provide highly specialist advice and consultation is required.

The post holder will work closely with the Director of Social Work and Associate Clinical Directors, and internal and external partners to ensure excellence in safeguarding, professional standards, workforce development and service user experience., The post holder is responsible for the Forensic Health Service (FHS) and Learning Disabilities (LD) Social Work team within the Specialist Division.To facilitate social workers to become involved in service planning and decision making.To ensure effective professional supervision of FHS Practitioners and all LD social workers across the Division and complete their appraisals with their line manager.Lead of safeguarding adults at risk across FHS and LD including SAR audit with the LA.Lead on delivery of carer strategy across FHS/LD.To be a member of FHS funding panel.Undertake other roles and tasks as required by the Service Director.

We provide NHS care and treatment to children, young people, adults and older people who have mental health problems, learning disabilities or neurodiversity needs.

We employ about 5,700 staff. Many of our services are provided in partnership with other organisations. We provide care in people's homes, in specialist clinics, hospitals and GP surgeries.

As well as being a provider of services across Sussex we also commission specialist beds. Working with NHS and independent sector healthcare organisations across the South-East we are the lead provider in three Provider Collaboratives. These cover adult eating disorders, secure care and children and young people inpatient services.

Sussex Partnership was formed in April 2006 as an NHS Trust and established as an NHS Foundation Trust with teaching trust status in August 2008. We work closely with Brighton and Sussex Medical School, a partnership between the Universities of Brighton and Sussex. In 2015, we became a member of the Association of UK University Hospitals, the representative body for university hospitals with major teaching and research interests across the UK and internationally.

Our services are rated 'good' by the Care Quality Commission and 'outstanding' for caring. We work closely with other health and care partners to provide the best possible care to our local populations. We have strengths in innovation, including our work in the field of research and development.