South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Community Practitioner
The closing date is 18 June 2026
This post is open to registered Mental health Nurses, Social workers, and Occupational Therapists.
The Assessment & Liaison Team provides a service for people aged 18-65 who live in the Borough of Croydon. We are a short‑term service that provides mental health assessment to service users who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties within the community. We also provide advice on the best treatment and care options available for mental health illnesses such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, or personality disorder.
We work with a team of health and social care professionals including nurses, doctors, social workers and psychologists. We also work closely with service users, their carers, local organisations and GPs.
The Croydon Assessment and Liaison team is made up of three teams (North, South, and Central) and is situated at Jeanette Wallace House, Croydon. The team generally works with individuals for up to 12 weeks providing a holistic package of care in collaboration with local care networks.
Main duties of the job
* Provide assessment and planning of care to a group of service users within the Croydon Assessment and Liaison team and ensure records associated with this process are maintained.
* Work effectively within a multi‑disciplinary team and across other agencies.
* Provide a high quality of care to individuals with complex bio‑psychosocial needs.
* Carry out procedures to a standard that ensures safe and effective care, and complies with the relevant professional code of conduct.
* Provide supervision to junior staff and students.
* Support the team leader and act up as team leader in their absence.
* Work with senior nurse practitioners within a GP clustered team delivering an enhanced liaison approach using an engagement and stabilisation model.
* Liaise with primary care, complete baseline mental health assessments, crisis management supporting individuals to identify and understand their mental health difficulties and develop a joint treatment plan that will support them through the 12‑week process.
* Help find timely treatment and care for service users.
* Execute excellent assessment skills, particularly for mood, anxiety and personality service users.
Job responsibilities
See attached JD and person specification. The post requires professional registration (RMN, Social Work, or Occupational Therapy). Applicants who do not hold the relevant professional registration will not be shortlisted.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Registered Nurse (Mental Health) or other professional registration (Social Work or Occupational Therapy).
* Completion of preceptorship course.
* Evidence of continuing professional development.
* Student practice assessor training.
Experience
* Experience working in community mental health settings (e.g., Home Treatment Team, CMHT) or acute inpatient settings.
* Experience managing safeguarding issues.
* Experience carrying out detailed assessments, formulating, and planning care.
* Experience working in an MDT setting.
* Experience managing a caseload.
Knowledge
* Experience of racial awareness/diversity training/cultural competence.
* Knowledge of evidence‑based interventions for people with complex mental health problems.
* Awareness of bio‑psycho‑social assessments and the safe and effective management of risk.
* Current up‑to‑date knowledge of relevant legislation.
* Knowledge of wider local organisations to support recovery plans for service users.
Attributes
* Recognition of own limitations, strengths and weaknesses and the ability to seek advice when necessary.
* Methodical approach to work with attention to detail.
* Ability to use computerised information and communication systems.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
* This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any previous criminal convictions.
Benefits & Compensation
£45,953 to £54,254 a year inclusive of HCAS.
Benefits include:
* Generous pay, pension and leave package.
* Work‑life balance, flexible working, part‑time work and job sharing.
* Career development through mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes.
* Car lease with competitive deals.
* Accommodation: keyworker housing available on selected sites.
* NHS discounts up to 10% via Health Service Discounts website.
* Counselling services.
* Long service awards.
* Cycle to work scheme.
* Season ticket loan.
About the organisation
We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of our benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work‑life balance. We aim to create a close‑knit team environment where staff feel valued and appreciated.
#J-18808-Ljbffr