Social Worker(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About the Role

We are seeking a compassionate, skilled, and motivated Social Worker to join our Secure Inpatient Services, working across low and medium secure mental health, autism, and learning disability wards.

This is a permanent opportunity to become part of a well-established and supportive multi-disciplinary team, where social work plays a vital role in safeguarding, advocacy, recovery, and human rights–focused care.

You will work closely with patients, families, carers, and partner agencies to ensure care is lawful, ethical, person-centred, and recovery-focused — even within complex and restrictive environments.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Social Worker in Secure Services, you will hold professional responsibility for a complex caseload and contribute actively to high-quality inpatient care.

Your work will include:

• Acting as the key social work professional for allocated patients
• Keeping families and carers appropriately informed, in line with patient wishes and consent
• Supporting access to advocacy services for patients and carers
• Leading and contributing to Care Programme Approach (CPA) processes
• Preparing high-quality reports for MDT meetings, tribunals, and MAPPA where required
• Working closely with safeguarding teams, local authorities, and children’s services
• Supporting safe family contact, leave planning, and child visits
• Upholding patient rights under relevant legislation and promoting least-restrictive practice
• You’ll also contribute to therapeutic work on both an individual and group basis, supporting recovery, coproduction, and positive risk-taking.

Clinical & Professional Responsibilities

You will:

• Complete complex social work assessments and co-produce meaningful goals
• Deliver evidence-based social work interventions informed by risk and formulation
• Apply anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive principles in all areas of practice
• Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns promptly and professionally
• Maintain accurate, lawful, and high-quality records in line with Social Work England and Trust standards
• Respond effectively to crisis situations, escalating concerns appropriately
• Maintain professional boundaries and ethical standards at all times
• You will be supported through supervision and encouraged to seek senior input for highly complex cases.

Who We’re Looking For

Essential Qualifications

• Recognised Social Work qualification
• Current registration with Social Work England
• Minimum 12 months post-qualifying experience (or completion of ASYE)
• IELTS Level 7 (8 for SLT) for international applicants
• Ability to travel independently in line with service needs

Desirable

• Postgraduate training in a relevant specialist area
• Experience in secure services, mental health, learning disability, or autism

Experience, Knowledge & Skills

You will demonstrate:

• Confidence managing complex social work cases independently
• Strong legal literacy (Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Human Rights Act, Children Act)
• Experience working within multi-disciplinary teams
• Skilled risk assessment and safeguarding practice
• High-quality report writing and professional communication
• Ability to collaborate effectively with service users, carers, and partner agencies
• Commitment to reflective practice, supervision, and ongoing development

About Us

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust delivers mental health and learning disability services across County Durham, Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York, and Selby.

We believe in listening first — to patients, families, carers, and staff. Our aim is to create services that are safe, humane, inclusive, and recovery-focused, even in the most complex settings.

Staff wellbeing matters to us. We actively support learning, recognition, and professional growth, ensuring people feel valued and empowered in their roles.

Pay & Benefits

• NHS Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Flexible working options
• Access to staff wellbeing and support services
• Ongoing professional development and training

Compliance & Eligibility

• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check required
• Skilled Worker visa sponsorship available
• Overseas applicants must meet UKVI criminal record requirements
• UK professional registration is mandatory

Helpful External Links

• Social Work England (Professional Registration)
• Mental Health Act Guidance (GOV.UK)
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
• Skilled Worker Visa Information (UKVI)

Ready to Apply?

If you’re a Social Worker who values dignity, rights, collaboration, and recovery — and you’re ready to work in a challenging but deeply meaningful environment — we’d be delighted to hear from you.