Lead Forensic Social Worker

Stockton Hall is looking to recruit a Lead Forensic Social Worker to join the team. This is a part time role of 26 hours.

Priory Stockton Hall is a long-serving medium secure hospital based in a quiet but well-connected village near the historic city of York. It serves the local Provider Collaborative and multiple National Collaboratives, depending on clinical need, and has had a long-running record of successful patient pathways.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Lead Forensic Social Worker to join our multidisciplinary forensic secure services. You will play a key leadership role in delivering high-quality, trauma-informed, and evidence-based social work interventions for individuals with complex mental health needs who are involved in or at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system.

You will lead and supervise a team of forensic social workers, contribute to service development, and act as a specialist advisor across teams. This role requires a strong understanding of mental health law, safeguarding, risk management, and inter-agency collaboration.

You will be part of a compassionate team who are committed to our patients wellbeing. We take a personalised approach, using proven therapies to help people move forward with confidence and build a healthier, more fulfilling future. You will play a key part in their recovery, assisting qualified staff with the assessment and implementation of individual patient care plans, undertaking routine tasks and activities as directed or delegated to facilitate wellbeing, dignity and treatment of patients

• Provide professional leadership and supervision to the forensic social work team.
• Support recruitment, induction, appraisal, and continuing professional development (CPD) of social work staff.
• Ensure social work practice aligns with statutory responsibilities, professional standards, and organisational values.
• Lead on the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and practice standards.

You can find additional information in the attached job description.

Our work is rewarding but can be challenging, so resilience is key. No two days are the same Your natural empathy will help you support others through both the highs and lows.

The ideal candidate will hold a degree-level qualification in Social Work and be registered with Social Work England. They must have a thorough understanding of current mental health legislation, including the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, as well as safeguarding legislation such as the Care Act 2014. Candidates should demonstrate experience working in a similar setting or show a clear willingness and ability to learn. A strong grasp of legal and policy frameworks, along with a commitment to ethical and person-centred practice, is essential.

For more information about the role, you can email

We want you to succeed at Priory and thrive in your role. You will be well supported with regular career conversations. We also offer full training and numerous pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions to help you shape your career with us.

• Free on-site parking
• Birthday Holiday - Your Birthday as an extra days annual leave
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Contributory pension scheme
• Flexible benefits including reduced rates and access to new schemes including gym membership, IT technology (laptops / tablets / smartphones) and Healthcare Cash Plan (Simply Health Scheme)
• Access to development opportunities
• Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel
• Leadership & management development
• Long service award
• Refer a friend bonuses

Shortlisting may begin upon receipt of applications, and the Recruiting Manager may close the vacancy early if enough suitable candidates are identified.

Priory is the leading independent provider of mental health and adult social care in the UK. We support 26,000 people a year to move towards a healthier future so they can live their lives as fully and independently as possible. We treat more than 70 conditions, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, as well as children's mental health, across our nationwide network of sites. We also support autistic adults and adults with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, within specialist residential care and supported living facilities.

With over 13,000 colleagues working at Priory, we have a long and prestigious history, and an unrivalled reputation for making a real and lasting difference to the lives of every individual in our care.

Priory is part of MEDIAN Group, a leading pan-European provider of mental health, specialist care and rehabilitation services, focussed on restoring quality of life through effective, evidenced and data-driven care.

Priory is committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer, read more here.

All roles will be subject to a successful disclosure at an appropriate level from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Access NI or Disclosure Scotland. We are an equal opportunities employer. Priory will cover the cost of a DBS check.

We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. Should we require assistance, we will reach out directly to our 'PSL'