Job Summary
The Mental Health Team is a Core24 Liaison Service providing 24-hour support. It delivers urgent assessment and intervention to patients attending the Emergency Department (ED) as well as in-patient wards.
The role involves working as a highly experienced mental health practitioner, offering specialist assessments and crisis risk management plans in the ED as part of the Mental Health Liaison Team (MHLT).
Key duties include responding to referrals, carrying out effective triage assessments, and advising acute trust teams on safe, evidence-based models of care for individuals presenting with mental health needs.
- Employer: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
- Job Title: Social Worker
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Salary: £56,276 to £63,176 per annum (Band 7, incl. of HCAs)
- Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
- Closing Date: 22 September 2025
Main Duties
Collaborate across the care pathway to promote timely discharge, reduce length of stay, and minimise inappropriate readmissions.
Identify and triage patients presenting to the University Hospital Lewisham ED with urgent or emergency mental health, psychological, or substance misuse needs.
Ensure rapid screening of individuals with complex social care needs or those requiring assessment under the Mental Health Act 1983.
Deliver evidence-based interventions to reduce frequent attendances and length of stay.
Undertake strengths-based assessments, develop least-restrictive care plans, and refer patients to relevant community services.
Undertake Mental Health Act assessments, warranted by Lewisham Council, for individuals in University Hospital Lewisham.
Job Responsibilities
Work closely with team leaders, the MDT, and Ladywell safeguarding social work team.
Lead psychiatric liaison practice in A&E triage decision-making and act as a specialist social care resource.
Serve as a point of contact for ED referrals, screening and responding promptly.
Work autonomously in assessing mental health and social care needs of patients in the ED.
Conduct and record comprehensive risk assessments, implementing risk management plans.
Liaise with Lewisham AMHP Service and Emergency Duty Team to minimise delays in Mental Health Act assessments.
Support colleagues in the delivery of care, using knowledge and skills to enhance the team’s effectiveness.
Promote a strengths-based approach and liaise with statutory and voluntary partnership agencies.
Person Specification
Essential
Registered Social Worker.
AMHP qualification and evidence of mandatory refresher training.
Significant post-qualifying experience in mental health services.
Extensive experience in acute mental health crisis risk assessment and management.
Ability to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care in an ED setting.
Skills in triage assessments at A&E.
Autonomous decision-making skills for discharge, admission, and signposting.
Ability to prioritise clinical demands and support ED pathways.
Desirable
Registered Mental Health Nurse.
PEPS 1 and 2 practice education qualification.
Experience working with patients with Personality Disorder, harmful substance misuse, or alcohol issues.
Knowledge of legislation: MHA 1983, MCA 2005, Care Act 2014, Children Act 1989, safeguarding.
Strong communication and negotiation skills, inspiring confidence and respect.
About South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provides the UK’s widest range of NHS mental health services, as well as substance misuse services. The Trust works closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, and is part of King’s Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre.
SLaM offers staff the opportunity to:
Be part of an internationally respected organisation in mental health care.
Access professional development and learning opportunities.
Collaborate with world leaders in mental health research and practice.
Benefit from extensive training opportunities, with over 14,000 training experiences delivered in 2014.
Additional Information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post requires a DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from candidates requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome. Criminal record certificates may be required for applicants and dependants in line with UKVI rules.
UK Registration
Applicants must hold current UK professional registration.
How to Apply
If you’re interested in this role, visit the official website for more information — click here to apply now.