Deputy Lead Social Worker MH

Scienceabode; Thatcham; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist mental health provider in Berkshire is seeking an experienced Deputy Lead Social Worker to lead a multidisciplinary team. This leadership role involves overseeing social work practice, ensuring safeguarding excellence, and supporting service user recovery. The ideal candidate must possess a recognized qualification in Social Work, registration with Social Work England, and a minimum of 4 years' post-qualifying experience. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential. A competitive salary of £48,000 – £50,000 is offered, along with benefits including annual leave, career development, and wellbeing support.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Structured career development

Life assurance

Access to wellbeing initiatives

Financial wellbeing support

Free or subsidised meals

Onsite parking

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years' post-qualifying experience in mental health or complex care.
• Experience in leading or supervising social work teams.

Responsibilities

• Support and lead the social work team on safeguarding matters.
• Deputise for Lead Social Worker in governance meetings.
• Provide high-quality supervision and appraisal to social workers.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Knowledge of mental health legislation

Case management

Education

Recognised qualification in Social Work

Registration with Social Work England

Job description

Job Title

Deputy Lead Social Worker

Location

Berkshire Thatcham

Salary

£48,000 – £50,000 per annum

Contract Type

Permanent, Full Time

Sponsorship

Sponsorship is not available for this role

Role Overview

A specialist mental health provider is seeking an experienced Deputy Lead Social Worker to join a multidisciplinary team within a secure and rehabilitation setting. This is a senior, leadership-focused role supporting the delivery of high-quality social work practice, safeguarding excellence, and service user recovery.

The successful candidate will provide operational and clinical leadership to the social work team, deputising for the Lead Social Worker and playing a key role in quality assurance, safeguarding strategy, and professional development across the service.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and lead the social work team on adult and child safeguarding matters
• Deputise for the Lead Social Worker in quality assurance and governance meetings
• Deliver and oversee safeguarding induction and update training across the service
• Lead on non‑medical Mental Capacity Act matters and best interest decision‑making
• Provide high‑quality supervision and appraisal to junior and senior social workers
• Manage and support a complex caseload of service users with mental health needs
• Complete assessments, CPA reports, Mental Health Tribunals and Managers' Hearings
• Liaise with external agencies to fulfil statutory duties, including MAPPA, Local Authorities, CMHTs, Police and Probation
• Support carers and families of detained service users
• Promote recovery‑focused practice and empower service users to engage with care planning

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Recognised qualification in Social Work
• Registration with Social Work England
• Strong working knowledge of relevant mental health, safeguarding and social care legislation
• Minimum of 4 years' post‑ experience in a similar environment (mental health, forensic, secure or complex care setting)
• Demonstrable experience of leading or supervising social work teams
• Excellent communication, leadership and multidisciplinary working skills
• Ability to manage complex casework and service‑level responsibilities

What's on Offer

• Salary of £48,000 – £50,000 per annum
• 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays), plus your birthday off
• Option to purchase additional annual leave
• Structured career development and leadership training opportunities
• Access to a comprehensive rewards and wellbeing platform
• Wellbeing initiatives supporting work‑life balance
• Access to Blue Light Card discounts
• Life assurance
• Financial wellbeing support and access to earned wages
• 24/7 GP service and second medical opinion
• Enhanced maternity package
• Pension contribution
• Free or subsidised meals
• Free onsite or local parking

About the Service

You will be based within a specialist mental health service that includes medium secure, low secure and rehabilitation units. The service provides a seamless internal care pathway, supporting individuals with complex mental health needs, personality disorders and histories of offending or placement breakdowns.

The multidisciplinary team delivers personalised assessment and treatment programmes, focusing on recovery, rehabilitation and long‑term independence.

About the Organisation

The organisation is a leading national provider of specialist health and social care services across England and Wales, delivering care across mental health, neurological services, learning disabilities, autism, children and education settings. With a large network of services, the organisation offers genuine career progression within a stable and values‑led environment.

Safer Recruitment

The organisation is committed to safer recruitment practices. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks and robust safeguarding procedures. The employer is a Disability Confident organisation and is committed to inclusive, accessible recruitment.

Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer.

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