Job summary
Are you passionate about reshaping mental health care? Do you believe in the power of community, collaboration with community partners and local voluntary care sector, inclusion, and peer support to transform lives? We're launching an innovative community care centre inspired by world-class models like the Trieste Mental Health Community Network, Navigo in Grimsby, and Clubhouse models in New York and Brixton.
We have an incredibly exciting and rare opportunity to be part of a new community mental health pilot. This centre will hold a major national profile with NHS Englandwho are hoping that the pilot will radically transform how we deliver mental health care in the UK.
We are looking for dedicated staff to help us pioneer this revolutionary approach to care.
What We Offer
A Unique Care Model: Join a programme focused on community, social inclusion, and holistic recovery.
Supportive Environment: Collaborate with peers, contribute to a recovery-oriented care system, and make a real difference.
Development Opportunities:Be part of a pioneering team shaping the future of mental health care, with training and career growth built-in.
Main duties of the job
To support the team with overall management of referrals, providing screening, triage & trusted assessments for patients with range of mental disorders.
To work in collaboration with our partner agencies and the MDT to provide a range of interventions to support service users to stay well within their local communities. To work with SU, patients & carers using evidenced based tool to inform care planning to support engagement with treatment & appropriate services.
To support family & carers with the management of risk and escalate all risk concerns as required ensuring that there is clear communication of risk to all involved with care.
To work collaboratively with colleagues within community services using shared decision making to ensure safe & effective discharge planning or onward referral. This may include discharge to Primary Care, signposting to social prescribers, third sector partners, voluntary services or community based groups. To ensure that all planning is shared with those involved with the care in a timely manner.
To take part in range of MDT governance, development, & clinical meetings.
Significant knowledge, awareness and understanding of Mental Health Law, including legislation of relevance to the community sector including the Community Care Act (2015) treatment legislationTo provide low intensity CBT and Mindfulness interventions under supervision. To provide psychoeducation to services users.
About us
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) offer the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness.
SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient, and community services. Currently, provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.
By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. SLaM delivered more than 14,000 training experiences in 2014: offering an extensive range of learning opportunities for staff at all levels.
PLEASE NOTE: The role will be initially based at62 Speedwell Street, London, SE8 4AT, but will relocate to 1 Heather Close, Hither Green, SE13 6UG in November 2025.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To adopt a client centred approach embodied with the principles of the recovery model. To provide low intensity CBT and Mindfulness interventions under supervision. To provide psychoeducation to services users. To co-facilitate, where agreed, therapeutic groups with a focus on service user rehabilitation reintegration and social inclusion.
Risk Assessment and Risk Management
Reporting any incident or Serious Untoward Incidents that may take place in a community setting and provide reports and accurate records relating to the incident.
Recognising and responding appropriately to self-harm and suicide prevention with regard to the risks in community settings, in line with Trust policies and training guidelines.
Understanding and working within the boundaries of the Lone Working Policy and awareness of Personal Safety in a community setting, including clear and updated communication with colleagues.
Responding to urgent situations, emergencies or crises using protocols specific to the local community setting.
Safeguarding and Duty of Candour
Understanding and implementing safeguarding procedures in a community setting; recognise, report, and investigate safeguarding issues and raise safeguarding alerts if you suspect that a service user and/or carer has been exposed to harm or abuse.
Understanding and implementing of Duty of Candour with regard to the issues in a community setting.
Legislation
Demonstrating an awareness and understanding of relevant and up-to- date Mental Health Law of particular relevance in community settings; ensuring adherence to legislation at all times.
Having a working knowledge of the legal requirements of the Mental Health Act, Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, Programme Approach, Deprivation of Liberty, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Community Treatment Orders.
Infection control
Understanding and implementing infection control measures in a community setting.
Communication and Collaboration
Preparing and providing reports on information and statistics as required relating to case load, regularity of visits and details of contact with clients and families.
Communicating/liaising effectively with relevant agencies to ensure that an integrated programme of care is provided throughout.
Working closely with relevant professionals identifying health needs of the practice population and support the development of services in response to those needs.
Leading and participating in team, locality and Trust initiatives as required and promote the strategic aims and objectives of the service, Nursing strategy and other relevant quality improvement initiatives in the community.
Leading and actively contributing to clinical or governance reviews of the teams activity and the monitoring of performance in line with trust directives and audit programmes in the community.
Documenting according to Trust policy, write in plain language, avoiding jargon and use of acronyms.
Engaging in practice reflection through clinical supervision and reflective practice groups and contributing to the delivery of clinical supervision to junior staff.
Demonstrate leadership skills within the clinical context of the community, showing awareness of the challenges facing staff working in a community setting and supporting junior staff as appropriate.
Quality Improvement
To contribute to the improvement of pathways between primary and secondary care and where practicable, to standardise processes across the pathways
To support primary care initiatives which improve the physical health outcomes of those with a long-term mental health condition and the mental health outcomes of those with a long-term physical health condition
Training Development and Education:
To undertake mandatory and statutory training as required by Trust policy, identifying individual training needs.
To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual Development Review/appraisal.
To undertake personal development as identified in the Personal Development Plan (PDP).
General:
This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the postholder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager.
The postholder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities and Confidentiality of Information.
The postholder is responsible for ensuring that the work that they undertake is conducted in a manner which is safe to themselves and others, and for adhering to the advice and instructions on Health and Safety matters given by Manager(s). If postholders consider that a hazard to Health and Safety exists, it is their responsibility to report this to their manager(s).
The postholder is expected to comply with the appropriate Code(s) of Conduct associated with this post and meet the required professional standards for on-going registration.
To make effective use of supervision and be able to acknowledge their own limitations, reflect on practice and discuss/identify their training and development needs with their line manager.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To adopt a client centred approach embodied with the principles of the recovery model. To provide low intensity CBT and Mindfulness interventions under supervision. To provide psychoeducation to services users. To co-facilitate, where agreed, therapeutic groups with a focus on service user rehabilitation reintegration and social inclusion.
Risk Assessment and Risk Management
Reporting any incident or Serious Untoward Incidents that may take place in a community setting and provide reports and accurate records relating to the incident.
Recognising and responding appropriately to self-harm and suicide prevention with regard to the risks in community settings, in line with Trust policies and training guidelines.
Understanding and working within the boundaries of the Lone Working Policy and awareness of Personal Safety in a community setting, including clear and updated communication with colleagues.
Responding to urgent situations, emergencies or crises using protocols specific to the local community setting.
Safeguarding and Duty of Candour
Understanding and implementing safeguarding procedures in a community setting; recognise, report, and investigate safeguarding issues and raise safeguarding alerts if you suspect that a service user and/or carer has been exposed to harm or abuse.
Understanding and implementing of Duty of Candour with regard to the issues in a community setting.
Legislation
Demonstrating an awareness and understanding of relevant and up-to- date Mental Health Law of particular relevance in community settings; ensuring adherence to legislation at all times.
Having a working knowledge of the legal requirements of the Mental Health Act, Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, Programme Approach, Deprivation of Liberty, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Community Treatment Orders.
Infection control
Understanding and implementing infection control measures in a community setting.
Communication and Collaboration
Preparing and providing reports on information and statistics as required relating to case load, regularity of visits and details of contact with clients and families.
Communicating/liaising effectively with relevant agencies to ensure that an integrated programme of care is provided throughout.
Working closely with relevant professionals identifying health needs of the practice population and support the development of services in response to those needs.
Leading and participating in team, locality and Trust initiatives as required and promote the strategic aims and objectives of the service, Nursing strategy and other relevant quality improvement initiatives in the community.
Leading and actively contributing to clinical or governance reviews of the teams activity and the monitoring of performance in line with trust directives and audit programmes in the community.
Documenting according to Trust policy, write in plain language, avoiding jargon and use of acronyms.
Engaging in practice reflection through clinical supervision and reflective practice groups and contributing to the delivery of clinical supervision to junior staff.
Demonstrate leadership skills within the clinical context of the community, showing awareness of the challenges facing staff working in a community setting and supporting junior staff as appropriate.
Quality Improvement
To contribute to the improvement of pathways between primary and secondary care and where practicable, to standardise processes across the pathways
To support primary care initiatives which improve the physical health outcomes of those with a long-term mental health condition and the mental health outcomes of those with a long-term physical health condition
Training Development and Education:
To undertake mandatory and statutory training as required by Trust policy, identifying individual training needs.
To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual Development Review/appraisal.
To undertake personal development as identified in the Personal Development Plan (PDP).
General:
This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the postholder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager.
The postholder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities and Confidentiality of Information.
The postholder is responsible for ensuring that the work that they undertake is conducted in a manner which is safe to themselves and others, and for adhering to the advice and instructions on Health and Safety matters given by Manager(s). If postholders consider that a hazard to Health and Safety exists, it is their responsibility to report this to their manager(s).
The postholder is expected to comply with the appropriate Code(s) of Conduct associated with this post and meet the required professional standards for on-going registration.
To make effective use of supervision and be able to acknowledge their own limitations, reflect on practice and discuss/identify their training and development needs with their line manager.
Person Specification
Education & Quaifucations
Essential
- Mental health professional appropriate to the job role (Nurse, social worker, occupational therapist.
- Evidence of post qualification training/education.
- Evidence of recent continued professional development.
Desirable
- A commitment to completing quality improvement training.
- Mentorship or equivalent.
Experience
Essential
- Relevant clinical experience.
- Familiar with the needs of working with people who have experienced serious ongoing mental health problems.
- Confident with undertaking assessments.
- Demonstrate ability to complete good quality research based/reflective practice e.g. understanding and ability to use supervision to reflect on skills, attitude and knowledge and develop these by using evidence-based practice.
- Ability to manage a workload proactively and independently.
- Experience of successfully providing a range of clinical interventions, including triage and assessment, to people in the designated care group with a variety of health problems.
- Evidence of working collaboratively and consultatively with professionals.
- Evidence of thriving in a in an MDT setting.
- Familiar with using clinical and managerial supervision.
- Confident on addressing issues of diversity including experience of working within a multicultural framework.
- Exposure to risk management and safeguarding
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within primary care
- Knowledge and experience of conducting audits
- Experience of developing and facilitating teaching programme for staff.
- Experience of working in a community mental health setting.
- Experience of psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in adult mental health.
Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of the relationship between primary and secondary care services.
- Awareness of racial and diversity issues and factors affecting access to mental health care.
- Knowledge of key legislation and guidelines in relation to statutory mental health responsibilities, including Safeguarding Adults, Young people, and children.
- An understanding of the stepped care model of delivery of psychological therapies for depression, anxiety, and personality disorder.
- Ability to provide quality care that is responsive to service user needs, without close supervision.
Desirable
- Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment.
- Knowledge of the theory of psychological models, such as CBT, DBT, or MBT.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Highly developed verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex, highly technical and sensitive information to clients, their families and colleagues.
- Effective IT skills.
- Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate and to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive and/or challenging behaviour.
Desirable
- Accredited practitioner skills in at least one model of psychological therapy.
- Accredited nurse prescriber
- Ability to contribute to, monitor and implement changes and improvements to services.
- Specialised clinical skills, e.g. group work, anxiety/anger management, family work skills
Person Specification
Education & Quaifucations
Essential
- Mental health professional appropriate to the job role (Nurse, social worker, occupational therapist.
- Evidence of post qualification training/education.
- Evidence of recent continued professional development.
Desirable
- A commitment to completing quality improvement training.
- Mentorship or equivalent.
Experience
Essential
- Relevant clinical experience.
- Familiar with the needs of working with people who have experienced serious ongoing mental health problems.
- Confident with undertaking assessments.
- Demonstrate ability to complete good quality research based/reflective practice e.g. understanding and ability to use supervision to reflect on skills, attitude and knowledge and develop these by using evidence-based practice.
- Ability to manage a workload proactively and independently.
- Experience of successfully providing a range of clinical interventions, including triage and assessment, to people in the designated care group with a variety of health problems.
- Evidence of working collaboratively and consultatively with professionals.
- Evidence of thriving in a in an MDT setting.
- Familiar with using clinical and managerial supervision.
- Confident on addressing issues of diversity including experience of working within a multicultural framework.
- Exposure to risk management and safeguarding
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within primary care
- Knowledge and experience of conducting audits
- Experience of developing and facilitating teaching programme for staff.
- Experience of working in a community mental health setting.
- Experience of psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in adult mental health.
Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of the relationship between primary and secondary care services.
- Awareness of racial and diversity issues and factors affecting access to mental health care.
- Knowledge of key legislation and guidelines in relation to statutory mental health responsibilities, including Safeguarding Adults, Young people, and children.
- An understanding of the stepped care model of delivery of psychological therapies for depression, anxiety, and personality disorder.
- Ability to provide quality care that is responsive to service user needs, without close supervision.
Desirable
- Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment.
- Knowledge of the theory of psychological models, such as CBT, DBT, or MBT.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Highly developed verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex, highly technical and sensitive information to clients, their families and colleagues.
- Effective IT skills.
- Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate and to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive and/or challenging behaviour.
Desirable
- Accredited practitioner skills in at least one model of psychological therapy.
- Accredited nurse prescriber
- Ability to contribute to, monitor and implement changes and improvements to services.
- Specialised clinical skills, e.g. group work, anxiety/anger management, family work skills
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Initially at 62 Speedwell St, London SE8 4AT. November 2025 Onwards, new location - 1 Heather Close, Hither Green, SE13 6UG
62 Speedwell Street
London
SE8 4AT
Employer's website
https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
