Job summary
- Main area
- Mental Health
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Flexibility to work a shift pattern of 8am - 8pm across a 7-day service) from December 2025 with initial hours of Monday to Friday 9 -5 from appointment until the centre opens. To be based at a community site in Lewisham in SE13 or SE8 initially with an intended move to Heather Close – Lewisham SE12 in May 2026
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Flexibility to work a shift pattern of 8am - 8pm across a 7-day service)
- Job ref
- 334-NUR-7342268-AP
- Employer
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- SE12
- Town
- Lewisham
- Salary
- £64,156 - £71,148 per annum inclusive of HCAS
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 12/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Advanced Clinical Practitioner
NHS AfC: Band 8a
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond.
We are committed to provide a high quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment we provide. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’.
We launched our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will get the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey supported with learning and development to harness everyone’s potential as change makers.
The trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them as an asset to the Trust.
Our Values
We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values and our promise to be caring, kind, polite, prompt, honest, listen and do what I say I’m going to do is at the heart of everything we do. When you join us, you’ll be part of something special.
As a Trust we are happy to talk flexible working.
Job overview
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 England who 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
Job Purpose:
An experienced and motivated Advanced Clinical Practitioner to join the Lewisham Community Mental Health Team
Independent and team working in both a clinical and managerial role.
Confident in your delivery of community care including medication management and physical health assessments.
Excellent skills in organisation and forward thinking, show initiative, be adaptable and able to follow direction, and be a good team player with excellent communication skills.
Provide leadership on and contribute clinically to all aspects of the pathways including screening, assessment, psychoeducation, medication management, behavioural management, care planning, risk assessment and management, and transition to adult services.
Contribute to further community pilot and pathway development.
As appropriate, post holder will be expected to undertake independent prescribing and demonstrate complex clinical reasoning and risk assessment skills to guide appropriate nursing intervention and when appropriate avoid deterioration and unnecessary A and E presentation
Working for our organisation
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provides the UK’s most comprehensive range of NHS mental health services, along with substance misuse support for individuals affected by drug and alcohol addiction. The Trust serves a local population of 1.1 million across Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark, and offers substance misuse services in Bexley, Bromley, and Greenwich.
SLaM operates over 230 services, including inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, and community-based care. Each year, the Trust provides inpatient care to around 5,300 individuals and supports over 45,000 patients in the community. With a workforce of approximately 5,000 staff, SLaM is a major provider of mental health care in the UK.
The Trust is closely affiliated with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London and is a key partner in King’s Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. This unique collaboration integrates clinical care, research, and education, enabling SLaM to remain at the forefront of mental health innovation.
Working at SLaM offers staff the opportunity to be part of an internationally respected organisation with a rich history in mental health care. Employees benefit from extensive professional development, including access to over 14,000 training experiences delivered in a single year. Staff also have opportunities to engage in academic research through the Trust’s partnership with King’s Health Partners.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Clinical Responsibilities
1.1 Serve as a highly specialist practitioner in the assessment, treatment, and pharmacological management of working-age patients, managing an independent caseload.
1.2 Operate autonomously within professional and service guidelines, taking full responsibility for clinical decisions.
1.3 Conduct comprehensive assessments using clinical interviews, structured observations, and self-report tools to diagnose emotional and behavioural issues.
1.4 Develop tailored mental health and crisis care plans, considering developmental and historical factors, and assess safeguarding needs, referring to appropriate teams when necessary.
1.5 Deliver and adapt evidence-based treatments, monitoring outcomes and modifying interventions as needed.
1.6 Assess and manage risk collaboratively with service users, carers, and relevant services.
1.7 Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with service users, carers, and professionals, considering cultural and sensory needs.
1.8 Maintain high standards of clinical documentation in line with Trust and professional guidelines.
1.9 Ensure services are inclusive and accessible to the diverse local population.
1.10 Act as care coordinator for complex, high-risk cases, ensuring appropriate care packages and multidisciplinary collaboration.
1.11 Prevent unnecessary hospital admissions by identifying suitable patients for community intervention in collaboration with emergency and acute care teams.
2. Professional Leadership
2.1 Provide strategic nursing leadership across Lewisham Community Services, advising senior management.
2.2 Collaborate with the Head of Nursing to maintain consistent nursing standards.
2.3 Offer decisive clinical leadership to team leaders and senior nurses to ensure high-quality care.
2.4 Contribute to nursing and multidisciplinary forums.
2.5 Lead the development and implementation of systems to monitor and improve nursing care quality.
3. Teaching, Training, and Supervision
3.1 Receive regular clinical and professional supervision in line with Trust policy.
3.2 Support the development of nursing staff skills and knowledge.
3.3 Provide clinical, research, and managerial supervision to qualified staff and students.
3.4 Offer placements to student nurses as appropriate.
3.5 Deliver training, consultation, and supervision to staff and carers.
3.6 Represent the Trust in national forums related to Advanced Clinical Practice.
4. Management, Recruitment, Policy, and Service Development
4.1 Identify and recommend service improvements to management.
4.2 Participate in recruitment processes for multidisciplinary staff.
4.3 Engage in clinical governance initiatives and act as a link worker where required.
4.4 Deputise for the General Manager and represent the team at borough and Trust levels.
4.5 Conduct investigations into patient safety incidents and complaints.
4.6 Adhere to SLAM NHS Foundation Trust policies and procedures.
5. Research and Service Evaluation
5.1 Contribute to service development through audits and evaluations.
5.2 Conduct literature reviews and research relevant to service needs, offering guidance to colleagues.
5.3 Support the development and implementation of outcome measures.
5.4 Share research and evaluation findings through presentations and publications.
5.5 Participate in audit projects and implement improvements based on findings.
6. General Responsibilities
6.1 Stay informed on current clinical practices, legislation, and policies affecting children and families.
6.2 Critically evaluate work to ensure compliance with professional and Trust standards.
6.3 Maintain accurate records in line with professional and Trust requirements.
6.4 Fully engage with clinical and research governance activities.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- • To be a qualified healthcare Professional (Nurse)
- • MSc / PGDip level qualification in Advanced Clinical Practice or equivalent with evidence of a comprehensive portfolio of post registration professional development in working age adult mental health including evidence of clinical, audit and/or research presentations at local and national
- • All applications will require professional registration with a statutory body e.g. the Nursing Midwifery Council, General Social care council, Health professional's council or applicable psychological or psychotherapies body. (A/I)
- • Non-medical Prescriber
Desirable criteria
- • Training in Clinical supervision
- • Further post qualifying training and education in working with adults with mental health problems.
Experience
Essential criteria
- • Experience and ability to function as a specialist practitioner in Mental Health & Wellbeing assessments and specific interventions with patients with various mental disorders.
- • Relevant clinical experience in inpatient and community Mental health services. (A/I)
- • Experience of setting, monitoring and evaluating standards of care. (A/I)
- • Managing change and introducing new ways of working for mental health teams. (A/I)
- • Experience at a senior management/Clinical level, collaborating and working to improve service delivery. (A/I)
- • Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment and knowledge of methods to develop culturally sensitive practice. (A/I)
- • Experience of managing complex and high-risk cases. (A/I)
- • Experience of providing teaching and training to multidisciplinary groups. (A/I)
- • Experience of developing and carrying out research projects with Service Users of adult working age (A/I)
- • Experience of supervision of other staff and experience of clinical leadership and providing clinical support for practitioners across disciplines including recruitment, supervision and appraisal. (A/I)
- • Experience of multi-agency collaboration and integrated working. (A/I)
- • Experience in completing audits and preparing reports/action plans. (A/I)
Desirable criteria
- Experience of participating in Quality improvement and/or research projects
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- • Knowledge of psychological assessment of behaviour and emotional disorders and difficulties, relationship difficulties, attachment disorders and difficulties, and clinical psychometrics. (A/I)
- • Knowledge of the current policy context and the implications for mental health nursing. (A/I)
- • Knowledge of current professional developments in nursing and nurse education. (A/I)
- • Working knowledge of relevant legislation and policies associated with Mental Health Care. (A/I)
- • Knowledge and understanding of Care quality commissions standards and the quality Improvement agenda for the directorate. (A/I)
- • Understanding of risk issues including Clinical and Health and Safety. (A/I)
- • An appreciation of the unique needs of patients from diverse cultural communities. (A/I)
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
- • Able to advise on clinical nursing issues, demonstrating an understanding of professional guidance, nursing policy and relevant Trust and national strategies. (A/I)
- • Ability to manage crises and conflicts effectively. (A/I)
- • Ability to present to an audience coherently and professionally. (A/I)
- • Ability to establish credibility and good working relationships with representatives of external agencies and other stakeholders and manage those relationships with sensitivity and compassion. (A/I)
- • Highly developed verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex, highly technical and sensitive information. (A/I)
- • Ability to work independently as an autonomous practitioner with appropriate level of clinical and managerial supervision. (A/I)
- • Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and/or challenging behaviour. (A/I)
- • Commitment to continuing professional development, to partnership working and to reflexive clinical practice. (A/I)
- • Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and/or challenging behaviour. (A/I)
- • Ability to use QI methodology (A/I)
Desirable criteria
- • Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings (A/I)
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Matthew Agbolegbe
- Job title
- Interim Head of Nursing & Quality - Lewisham
- Email address
- [email protected]
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