Adult mental health social worker

Adult mental health social worker

Go back South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 14 July 2026.

• Work closely with the directorate safeguarding lead to deliver adult social work provision for eating disorder inpatient services.
• Provide and coordinate adult mental health services for patients with an eating disorder.
• Act as an active member of multidisciplinary teams, using knowledge and skills to support colleagues in delivering care, assessment and treatment.
• Liaise with and advise a range of external agencies, both voluntary and statutory.
• Provide adult social care and mental health expertise in accordance with legislation, local authority and Trust policies.
• Fulfill statutory and other local authority requirements of an employed social worker.
• Partner with service users, families and carers to meet social care needs within highly complex situations arising from eating disorders.
• Make referrals where appropriate and provide advocacy, information and guidance for service users, carers and agencies.
• Exercise professional responsibility for specialist assessments and follow‑up for service users with complex problems, including risk assessment of self‑harm, self‑neglect, vulnerability and domestic violence.
• Coordinate care for service users by undertaking assessments and after‑care plans informed by relevant Act legislation.
• Contribute to ward referral screening, admission processes and information gathering required for assessing social care needs and risks.
• Plan and attend meetings, rounds and audits as part of the inpatient multidisciplinary team.
• Provide social work consultation, training and advice to ward and community services as required.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion while maintaining a safe, supportive environment.
• Act in line with ethical standards and confidentiality requirements.

• Recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Significant experience in utilising a range of social work skills at the adult/mental health level.
• Knowledge of the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in the context of adult safeguarding procedures.
• Holding an AMPH warrant.
• Evidence of networking within the eating disorders speciality.

• Knowledge of the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 specific to adult safeguarding.
• Understanding of responsibilities in safeguarding vulnerable adults, including domestic abuse.
• Knowledge of adult mental health disorders and evidence‑based practice.
• Understanding of principles of social work supervision.
• Understanding of diversity and equality issues and their application in adult mental health.
• Knowledge of key legislation central to implementing professional social work service in an eating disorders setting.
• Knowledge of childcare legislation, statutory guidance and local child protection procedures.

• Experience implementing a social work service in a complex, multidisciplinary, multi‑agency setting.
• Experience preparing complex, high‑quality reports with clear recommendations.
• Experience applying evidence‑based approaches and best practice principles when working with service users and their families.
• Experience working with diverse, multi‑cultural communities and with interpreters.

• Ability to collate and analyse complex information, make autonomous decisions and contribute to problem‑solving.
• Effective time management and handling competing demands in a high‑pressure environment.
• Capability to liaise and provide specialist consultation to other agencies.
• Ability to conduct specialist assessments and formulate effective social work and therapeutic interventions.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service is required to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Contract:

Secondment, Working pattern:
Part‑time

Gerald Russell Unit, Eating Disorders Inpatient Unit

334‑CLI‑8081474