South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Community Forensic Team Leader
Closing date: 21 June 2026
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a community forensic team leader position within the Lewisham Community Forensic Team based at Kirkdale Road. The post holder will provide leadership within the team for ensuring smooth interface working between services to ensure timely admission and discharges from hospital. The post holder will provide line management and leadership to the team, working closely with the team of professionals consisting of Nurses, Social workers, Peer Support workers, Psychologists, Administrators and Consultants.
We are looking to find an experienced dynamic, creative, forward thinking and hard‑working individual to work within our friendly team. You will be accountable for the co‑ordination of the multidisciplinary team in providing services for individuals with complex needs who will have a history of offending behaviour.
Main duties of the job
* Overall management responsibility for the delivery of care within the Lewisham Community Forensic Team in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
* Manage a specialised mental health team, overseeing the care, risk management and rehabilitation of individuals with mental disorders and a history of offending in the community.
* Direct clinical caseloads, conduct complex risk assessments, coordinate with justice/health agencies, and drive service quality and staff development.
* Lead a team of professional and support staff in delivering high quality evidence‑based practice, ensuring regular supervision and appraisal.
* Manage administrative and operational resources in a cost‑effective manner, evaluating the standard of service delivered.
* Coordinate multidisciplinary working, maintain excellent communication and working relationships with all team members and other services within the Trust to ensure effective interface and continuity of care between disciplines and services.
* Carry out clinical and managerial procedures to a standard that ensures safe and effective care and complies with the relevant Code of Professional Conduct.
* Place the needs of service users at the centre of care delivery.
* Operate from the Lewisham Community Forensic Team.
* Facilitate development and communication of information between team members, facilitate learning, clinical discussion and staff support through supervision and appraisal.
* Ensure staff can manage packages of care appropriately and that these packages are monitored and reviewed.
* Take responsibility for client caseloads as agreed by the Clinical Services Lead.
* Provide quality mental health and case management services to clients to enhance their mental health and well‑being.
* Maintain good working relationships with other mental health services and local agencies relating to client care.
* Act as point of contact for external enquiries or complaints concerning the team and ensure these are dealt with in a timely manner.
* Provide senior cover as required and deputise for the Clinical Service Lead.
* Manage resources within budgetary constraints as agreed with the Clinical Services Lead and contribute to the preparation of the annual team budgets.
* Commit to delivering compassionate care through clinical assessment and risk assessment, crisis and contingency planning, managing day‑to‑day clinical risks, and clinically advising and supporting team members on possible courses of action.
* Ensure that team members follow systems of safe practice and that operational policies are adhered to.
Additional responsibilities
* Management of Care and Practice
* Management of Financial and Material Resources
* Management of Clinical Standards
* Management of Human Resources
* Management of Information and Communication
* Management of the Environment
* Personal Development and Freedom to Act
* Deputising for the Service Manager as required.
* Establishing and building on excellent working relationships between other services within and external to the Directorate.
* Ensuring that systems are in place which invite service users and their carers to comment on the quality of services they receive.
* Ensuring pro‑active engagement of the service with research projects according to Kings Health partners tripartite mission.
* Implementation of the complaints procedure including investigation, response, and resolution.
* Ensuring that their line manager is kept informed of all developments and changes within the team.
* The safe storage and administration of medications.
* The creation and maintenance of an environment conducive to learning and that meets educational standards required by Educational Institutions whose students are placed on the ward.
* Facilitating the team's active involvement in the training and education of staff from a variety of disciplines.
* Participating in projects within the team and Trust as required by the senior management of the Directorate.
Person Specification
* Registered mental health nurse qualification.
* Achieved grade.
* Extensive forensic community experience.
* Evidence of ongoing professional development.
* Evidence of external working with partner agencies.
* Leadership/management course.
* Ability to work under pressure.
* Ability to work across disciplines.
* Proven ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Experience
* Significant experience of forensic community mental health settings.
* Experience of working with service users with severe mental health problems who engage in risky behaviours.
* Knowledge of relevant legislation and its implication for clinical practice.
* Leadership/management course.
* Completion of approved training in structural professional judgement using tools such as HCR20.
* Completion of appropriate social supervision training.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for the presence of any previous criminal convictions.
Benefits
* Generous pay, pensions and leave; a comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package which is dependent on the role and length of service.
* Work‑life balance; flexible working and support a range of flexible options, such as part‑time working and job sharing.
* Career development; we support your development through a number of programmes such as mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes.
* Car lease; our staff benefit from competitive deals to lease cars.
* Accommodation; our staff benefit from keyworker housing available on selected sites.
* NHS discounts; with discounts up to 10% from a variety of well‑known retail brands through the Health Service Discounts website.
Salary: £58,133 to £65,261 a year inclusive of HCAS (Inner)
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