Social Worker in Prison

Key responsibilities:  

• Contribute to the comprehensive health assessment for inmates, by performing social assessment for inmates and registering social data on the inmate’s file, in line with people centred primary health care approach, through interviews with inmates to determine current level of social functioning and family linkages, with focus on inmates with severe conditions (e.g. at risk of self-harm or suicide, inmates who are unstable, etc.).
• Ensure and maintain confidentiality during visits.
• Collaborate with primary care professionals and other health care professionals to ensure continuity, timeliness and appropriateness of people centred health care to inmates, especially those who are known to have chronic illness, or those above 50 years of age.
• Refer to medical, psychological and other services as needed and ensure needed follow-up for continuity of care.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of the visits, follow-up and education, using social file, and keep all data confidential. 
• Assist the team (physician, nurse) in dealing with inmates who show aggressiveness, impulsivity, offending behaviour, self-harm, etc. 
• Link inmates with relevant resources to access consultations, blood tests, medication availability, hospitalization, etc., in coordination with other team members and ISF.
• Report inmates’ changes in emotional or physical condition to nurses or physicians and provide emotional support for inmates as needed.
• Provide psychoeducation, support and counselling for inmates on life skills, anger management, management of stress, impulsivity, communication, parenting etc.
• Conduct group health education with inmates on several health-related topics.
• Support inmates with severe conditions in community reintegration before being released.
• Map available resources (health and non-health) to ensure referral of inmates to services.
• Ensure referral to lawyers and other professionals (e.g. mental health) when needed.
• Provide awareness to prison staff about health and psychosocial support (e.g. importance of taking medications on time, human rights, anger management, management of stress, impulsivity, communication, parenting, etc.).
• Ensure daily reporting on tasks and deliverables using online forms
• Attend training days and induction as well as participate in relevant meetings as needed.
• Act on integrating in their practice new knowledge and skills acquired during trainings.

Experience required:

Essential:

• A minimum of five years relevant work experience in social work (family and individual interventions; interventions with groups).

Desirable:

• Previous working experience in prison or other vulnerable settings is desirable.
• Previous working experience in primary health care setting.

Skills/Technical skills and knowledge:

• Strong communication, interpersonal and organizational skills

• Teamwork skills
• Conflict resolution skills
• Ability to work in vulnerable and challenging environment
• Flexibility
• Computer Skills: Good knowledge of the Microsoft Office including Word and Excel.