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Job summary

Main area
mental health
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
334-NUR-7315937-LF
Employer
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Marina House and Princess Royal Hospital Bromley
Town
London
Salary
£54,320 - £60,981 per annum inclusive of HCAS
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
05/08/2025 23:59

Employer heading

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust logo

Alcohol Assertive Outreach - Lead Clinician

NHS AfC: Band 7

 

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

The Alcohol Assertive Outreach Team a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team that provides intensive, relationship-based support to individuals who frequently attend hospital due to alcohol-related issues. The service aims to reduce avoidable hospital use and improve long-term outcomes by delivering compassionate, personalised, community-based care.

Following the success of the AAOT in Lambeth and Southwark, the team is now expanding across all South East London boroughs, including Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich. This role will play a pivotal part in supporting that expansion while delivering direct clinical care and leadership.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a Registered Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Social Worker to contribute to an innovative model of care. You will work closely with acute hospital Alcohol Care Teams, Liaison Psychiatry, community mental health, and substance misuse services across the region.

Main duties of the job

  • Provide clinical leadership within the AAOT, promoting safe, effective, trauma-informed care.

  • Hold a small caseload of high-need individuals, carrying out assessments, risk management, care planning, and reviews.

  • Provide day-to-day line management and supervision for a small team of clinicians.

  • Support the recruitment, development, and supervision of team members and volunteers.

  • Build effective partnerships across acute, community, and voluntary services to support joined-up care.

  • Contribute to the strategic development and regional expansion of the AAOT model.

  • Maintain accurate records and contribute to audit, evaluation, and service improvement initiatives.

  • Ensure compliance with Trust clinical governance frameworks and national best practice standards.

Working for our organisation

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) is part of King’s Health Partners – a leading Academic Health Sciences Centre made up of:

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

King’s College London

This collaboration ensures that clinical services benefit directly from the latest research, innovation, and education, driving continuous improvements in patient care.

The AAOT is embedded within SLaM’s Addictions Division, which delivers mental health and substance misuse services across Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich. The Addictions service works across Tiers 2, 3, and 4 and is known for strong community partnerships and delivery in diverse settings, including:

Patients’ own homes

GP surgeries and primary care hubs

Hostels and supported accommodation

Hospitals and mental health settings

Criminal justice environments

The AAOT plays a key role in reducing barriers to engagement and supporting individuals with the most complex needs to achieve long-term recovery.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Governance

Deliver and model high-quality, person-centred care in line with best practice and Trust policies.

Contribute to clinical governance, risk management, and quality improvement activities.

Promote a culture of excellence, safety, and continuous learning.

Case Management

Hold a caseload of approximately 5–10 individuals with high levels of need.

Carry out comprehensive assessments, develop care plans, and regularly review progress.

Complete robust risk assessments and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with policy.

Team Supervision & Development

Line manage and support a small number of clinical staff.

Ensure the delivery of regular managerial and clinical supervision, annual appraisals, and ongoing professional development.

Promote a positive, compassionate, and resilient team culture.

Partnership & Systems Working

Collaborate with Alcohol Care Teams, Liaison Psychiatry, Community Mental Health Teams, and other stakeholders.

Build links with acute and community services to ensure timely referrals and coordinated care.

Work flexibly across the region, maintaining visibility in relevant meetings and forums.

Service Development & Expansion

Support the expansion of the AAOT model across Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich.

Contribute to strategy and planning with the Clinical Service Lead and partners.

Promote innovation and responsiveness to local need, including linking with broader mental health initiatives.

Data, Evaluation, and Quality

Ensure clinical documentation is accurate, timely, and maintained on the electronic patient record system

Participate in data collection, audits, and research to evidence service impact and inform future development.

Monitor performance against Trust KPIs and contribute to ongoing service evaluation.

Communications and Working Relationships

You will work collaboratively and proactively with:

AAOT patients and their carers (daily)

AAOT colleagues and volunteers (daily)

Alcohol Care Teams, Psychiatric Liaison Nurses (daily)

Community substance use and mental health services (weekly/as needed)

Acute hospital teams across South East London (as required)

Local authority and third-sector partners (as needed)

Clinical Service Lead and line manager (weekly)

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • RMN/RGN, Qualified OT, or Social Worker with current registration
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
  • Advanced Assessment Skills or other Qualification of Advanced Practice.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience working with patients with alcohol use disorders in a community or inpatient setting or experience supporting individuals with complex health/social care nee.
  • Experience working with patients with alcohol use disorders in a community or inpatient setting or experience supporting individuals with complex health/social care nee.
  • Experience of supervising staff, including clinical or managerial supervision
  • Experience of working successfully with a range of external services to support joint care planning
  • Experience of using psycho-social interventions with patients
  • Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team and across systems

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to engage and motivate patients, using a person-centred and flexible approach
  • Able to assess patients with complex needs including patients with mental health or complex physical needs alongside their alcohol use.
  • Able to undertake risk assessments, escalate appropriately, and contribute to safeguarding plans
  • Able to lead a small team, manage competing priorities and promote a positive, confident and supportive working environment
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills for working with patients, families and professionals

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Understanding of structured interventions, motivational interviewing, and brief interventions
  • Understanding of physical health complications of alcohol use
  • Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act relevant to this client group
  • Clear understanding of professional and multidisciplinary roles and responsibilities
  • Understanding of trauma-informed and recovery-focused care

Employer certification / accreditation badges

London Healthy workplaceCapital Nurse, LondonNo smoking policyLondon Living Wage is a voluntary commitment made by employers, who can become accredited with the Living Wage FoundationImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Stonewall Silver 2022Disability confident employerStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Armed Forces Covenant Bronze AwardHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingArmed Forces Covenant

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Joshua Stapleton
Job title
Clinical Service LEad
Email address
[email protected]
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