Lead Social Worker - Forensic / Mental Health Services
Lead Social Worker - Forensic / Mental Health Services
Location: Thatcham, Berkshire - Large Private Healthcare Provider
Contract: Permanent, Full Time
Salary: £55,000 - £56,650 per annum + benefits
Role Overview:
We are seeking a Lead Social Worker to provide leadership and oversight across a specialist residential service, supporting adults with complex mental health or forensic needs. This senior role will manage a dedicated social work team, ensuring statutory compliance, high-quality care delivery, and adherence to professional and organisational standards.
Key Responsibilities:
Manage and supervise the social work team, providing professional leadership and guidance.
Assess and manage risk for individuals while balancing public protection and care needs.
Conduct detailed assessments, gather collateral information, and compile statutory reports.
Present reports at case conferences, aftercare planning meetings, tribunals, and hearings.
Act as the main point of contact for families, agencies, and external stakeholders.
Coordinate multi-agency liaison including safeguarding and MAPPA arrangements.
Ensure compliance with statutory regulations, professional standards, and quality indicators.
Support staff development, training, and performance excellence across the team.
Requirements:
Recognised Social Work qualification (Degree, CQSW, DipSW, or equivalent)
HCPC registration and professional compliance knowledge
At least 5 years' experience in forensic, criminal justice, or mental health social work
In-depth knowledge of Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, safeguarding, and MAPPA
Proven leadership and team management experience
Benefits:
33 days annual leave including bank holidays plus birthday off
Career development and training opportunities
Pension, life assurance, and wellbeing support
Access to rewards platforms and flexible employee benefits
About the Employer:
The service is part of a large private healthcare network supporting medium, low secure, and rehabilitation wards, including PICUs, across a scenic Berkshire campus. The provider operates nationally, offering opportunities for professional growth and multi-disciplinary collaboration in mental health, neurological, and complex care services.
Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer.
Eden Brown Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales with registered number 3643845. Our registered address is 5th floor 4 Coleman Street, London, EC2R 5AR, part of nGAGE Specialist Recruitment Limited T/A nGAGE Talent. Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. This message is intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please send it back to us, and immediately and permanently delete it. Do not use, copy or disclose the information contained in this message or in any attachment. We take reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this email but cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage sustained as a result of computer viruses and the recipient must ensure that the email (and attachments) are virus free.
