Job overview
The Band 7 Clinical Team Leader provides senior clinical and operational leadership within the Clinical Assessment Unit (CAU) at Croydon University Hospital. The role ensures the delivery of safe, effective, person‑centred mental health care in a fast‑paced Emergency Department environment.
The post‑holder offers visible, accessible leadership, supporting the multidisciplinary team with expert clinical oversight, risk management, and high‑quality assessment processes. They are responsible for ensuring smooth patient flow, timely decision‑making, and robust escalation pathways.
A key part of the role involves service development, quality improvement, audit leadership, and governance, alongside supporting staff development, competency growth, and fostering a positive, inclusive team culture aligned with Trust values. The Clinical Team Leader works closely with ED, liaison psychiatry, inpatient services, and wider agencies to maintain seamless, safe pathways for patients.
Main duties of the job
Main Duties of the Job
1. Provide senior clinical leadership within the CAU, supporting safe assessment, risk management, and decision‑making.
2. Oversee day‑to‑day operations, including staffing, patient flow, and coordination with ED and liaison teams.
3. Ensure the delivery of high‑quality, person‑centred care and maintain professional standards of documentation.
4. Lead clinical huddles, handovers, and MDT discussions to support effective teamwork and communication.
5. Support staff through supervision, appraisals, performance management, and ongoing development.
6. Contribute to service quality and governance through audits, incident reviews, and improvement initiatives.
7. Foster strong relationships with ED, inpatient teams, community services, and external partners to ensure smooth pathways.
8. Uphold Trust policies, safeguarding responsibilities, confidentiality, and professional codes of conduct.
9. Promote a positive, inclusive, values‑led team culture and provide leadership during challenging or high‑risk situations.
Working for our organisation
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide 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. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.
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. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities, and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field.
The core philosophy of the Core24 Mental Health Liaison team is:
“We take a professional, honest, caring and open-minded approach. We encourage and support choice. We are prompt and will take time to listen, work collaboratively with you and stick to our word. We respect differences”
This is in line with the trust’s core values:
I will be caring, kind and polite.
I will be prompt and value your time.
I will take time to listen to you
I will be honest and direct with you.
I will do what I say I am going to do.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Band 7 Clinical Team Leader provides senior clinical and operational leadership within the Clinical Assessment Unit, ensuring safe, effective, and person‑centred mental health care in a busy Emergency Department setting.
The role supports the team with clinical oversight, risk management, and coordinated patient flow, while contributing to service quality, governance, and staff development.
The post‑holder works collaboratively with ED, liaison psychiatry, community services, and other partners to maintain smooth care pathways, uphold professional standards, and promote a supportive team culture aligned with Trust values.
Main Responsibilities
1. Clinical Leadership
10. Provide senior clinical support, oversight, and guidance for assessments and risk management.
11. Lead clinical discussions, handovers, and coordination of patient care.
2. Operational Management
12. Manage daily operations of the CAU, including staffing and patient flow.
13. Liaise closely with ED and liaison teams to ensure efficient pathways.
3. Governance and Quality
14. Support audits, quality improvement work, and incident reviews.
15. Maintain safe practice standards and accurate documentation.
4. Staff Support and Development
16. Provide supervision, appraisal, and everyday support for staff.
17. Assist with training, induction, and professional development.
5. Communication and Collaboration
18. Work effectively with internal teams and external agencies.
19. Ensure clear communication with patients, carers, and partner services.
6. Professional Standards
20. Uphold NMC/HCPC standards, Trust values, and safeguarding responsibilities.
21. Maintain professionalism and resilience in demanding situations.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
22. Registered Mental Health Nurse / Social Worker / Allied Health Professional (NMC/HCPC)
23. Evidence of continued professional development
24. Mentorship ENB 998) or equivalent
Desirable criteria
25. Leadership or management certification
26. Training in specialist interventions (e.g., DBT/CBT, family interventions
Skills
Essential criteria
27. Strong leadership, communication, and conflict-resolution skills
28. Excellent clinical assessment, risk formulation, and decision-making abilities
29. Ability to work under pressure, prioritise workload, and manage competing demands
30. Knowledge of mental health legislation, safeguarding, and relevant policies
31. Supervise clinical staff & conduct appraisals
Desirable criteria
32. Ability to coach, mentor and support staff development.
33. Skilled in managing complex MDT discussions and risk reviews
34. Strong conflict-resolution and advanced communication skills
Experience
Essential criteria
35. Demonstrable leadership or supervisory experience
36. Competency in managing complex risk and high-acuity presentations
37. Experience of conducting psycho-social assessments of patients with multimorbidity, substances and physical health
38. Extensive experience in acute mental health or crisis care
Desirable criteria
39. Experience contributing to audits, QI projects, or service redesign
40. Experience working within liaison psychiatry or emergency settings
Knowledge
Essential criteria
41. Sound understanding of how to assess and meet the needs of adults presenting in crisis to emergency departments and medical wards
42. Legislation associated with acute mental health care, including MHA, MCA, CPA procedures, Human Rights Act etc.
43. Knowledge of risk assessment in mental health work, including documentation of risk
44. Ability to make decisions on whether to discharge, refer on or admit service users following a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of risk
45. High level understanding of mental health disorders & treatment models relevant to age group
Desirable criteria
46. Skills in applying evidence based practice
Abilities
Essential criteria
47. Ability to negotiate and reach compromises in verbal discussions in a manner that inspires confidence and respect from others
48. Ability to build and maintain high standards of professional links and communication channels with a variety of personnel and agencies
49. Ability to work effectively in crisis situations and psychiatric emergencies in order to maintain the safety of both staff and service users
50. Ability to manage and prioritise own time and clinical demands
Desirable criteria
51. Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
52. Ability to enthuse others, lead and motivate a team