The Role

We are looking to recruit a Senior Social Worker to join the Wolfson Neurological Rehabilitation Centre inpatient service at Queen Mary’s Hospital.

The trust provides specialist neurorehabilitation to patients who require intensive therapy following acquired neurological conditions resulting in physical or psychological disabilities. This includes patients who have had strokes, traumatic injuries to the brain or spine, anoxic brain damage, diseases or infections of the nervous system, and long-term conditions like multiple sclerosis. Services are provided on an inpatient or day patient basis.

A comprehensive treatment service is provided by multi-disciplinary teams to address patients’ needs and maximise their recovery. The teams include nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, speech and language therapists, dietitians, medical staff and clinical neuropsychologists. The service also has consultants in neurology, stroke medicine, rehabilitation medicine, therapy, neuropsychiatry and clinical neuropsychology, as well as doctors in training. Visiting clinicians include pharmacists.

Inpatients are admitted for individually tailored programmes based on goals set by the patient and their family or carers, in collaboration with the treating team. Close liaison is maintained with families, carers and community services, including statutory and voluntary organisations, to help patients’ progression from the inpatient setting to the home environment.
Inpatient admissions can range from 3 – 6 months.

In this role you will support in the management of the team including regular formal supervision to team members, to ensure the delivery of a high quality, timely and person-centred hospital discharge service, that promotes the independence and well-being to make a positive difference to our residents and their carers. You will have experience and expertise in the longer-term management of patients with cognitive and physical difficulties and will support admissions and complex discharges along with multi-disciplinary key-working within the Wolfson Unit.

You will need excellent verbal and written communication skills and a keen interest in collaborative, integrated working with our Health colleagues, with the ability to represent the service and the Department to our external partners. You will be responsible for supporting the discharge of all patients from the Wolfson, including those from other boroughs and CCGs that require information and advice.

This role is based predominantly at the Wolfson Unit, Queen Mary’s Hospital as well as time based at St George’s Hospital.

For an informal discussion and more information about the role please contact the Assistant Service Manager Alecia Ivers on 07769 963 859 or Service Manager Angela Kelly 07789 740 320.

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance.  These include flexible working, compressed hours and home working (dependent on service need) and a generous holiday allowance of 31 days plus bank holidays. 

In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities is also offered.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date:  02 February 2023

Shortlisting Date: w/c 6 January 2023

Interview Date: 06 February 2023

Useful Information:

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information:

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils