Job Summary
We are currently expanding the well-established Countywide Early Intervention in Psychosis Team which provides a focussed and specific community service for the population of Bedfordshire and Luton in response to the needs of individuals and their families experiencing a first episode of psychosis. The team works across CAMH services and Adult Mental Health Services with an age range starting at 14 years. We are therefore looking for skilled Social Workers to join our teams covering Bedford and Luton.
The post holder will be a Qualified Social Worker with a sound background of working in a Community Mental Health setting and Care Coordination within CPA. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly to ensure delivery of full care packages. They will also provide psychosocial interventions and undertake specialist assessments which will require a good understanding of At Risk Mental States and Psychosis. The successful candidate will join a creative and motivated team who continue to make positive differences to families and individuals across the county. We believe that psychosis is treatable and recovery is expected.
You will be given expert support and advice from the team Senior Social Worker. The Senior Social Worker and Team Leader provide intensive support to ensure that bespoke professional supervision is readily available for all our social workers.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Social Worker to work as part of our team. You will be registered with Social Work England and at least have one year of post qualifying experience in a relevant health or social care setting. As a Social Worker, you will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team, providing high quality social care services to adults experiencing mental ill-health. The core functions of the role will be to provide assessment, care planning and coordination of care from a social perspective to adults accessing the service. You will hold a caseload of adults experiencing a wide range of mental health and social care needs. You will ensure that you maintain constant reflection and development of your practice and will ensure your continuing professional development in line with the standards set out by the professional regulator, Social Work England.
You must have a valid driving license and the use of a car for business purposes.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential
- Relevant professional qualification (1st Level nurse in mental health)
- Registered with a professional clinical body (e.g. NMC)
Desirable
- Has obtained MSPP qualification or equivalent
- Evidence of appropriate CPD post-qualification in psychosis / early intervention
- Evidence of further training, e.g. Bsc Community Nursing or AMHP status Clinical skill based qualification e.g. CBT, Psycho social interventions or nurse prescribing.
Experience
Essential
- Appropriate post registration experience at qualified practitioner level within Mental Health in the community, including experience of working with first episode psychosis.
- Experience of ensuring that the values including Care, Compassion, Competence, communication, Courage and Commitment are adhered to daily, and any matters of concern are raised with the relevant Line Manager or through the necessary processes within the Trust.
Desirable
- Experience of working within an early intervention team
- Previous experience of working within a CAMHS service
- Experience in applying psychosocial interventions
- Experience of providing supervision to Junior staff and or consultation for other professionals
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Understanding of current NHS/Social Care policies/practices relating to Mental Health and Services for people with a Learning Disability
- An understanding of the principles of early intervention in psychosis
- Knowledge/ skills of Health promotion and psycho education both in clinical practice and delivering professionally to other agencies
- Understanding of CPA, Recovery approach and the principles of engagement with the seriously mentally ill.
- Understanding of research and its application to clinical practice.
- Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity issues and the ability to integrate into employment policies and practices
- Excellent communication and listening skills with the ability to tailor the message to a variety of audiences
- Good Report Writing skills
Desirable
- Understanding and commitment to the personalization agenda
Driving license
Essential
- Holds a full UK driving license
- Has access to a car and insured for business purposes
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 01 February 2026
