Senior Crisis Care Practitioner (Social Worker) – Sponsorship Available

Employer: West London NHS Trust
Location: London, United Kingdom
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent (37.5 hours per week)
Salary: £43,742 – £50,056 per year
Visa Sponsorship: Available

Job Summary

West London NHS Trust is offering an exciting opportunity for a registered Social Worker to join the Ealing Crisis & Home Treatment Team (ECAHTT). This 9-to-5 role focuses on improving access, patient flow, and discharge processes from the West London Crisis Recovery House (WLCRH).

The role involves assessing and managing service users in crisis who may otherwise require hospital admission. You will handle time-sensitive referrals from various sources, including LPS, inpatient wards, community teams, and Single Point of Access (SPA), while collaborating with relevant professionals.

This position includes significant managerial and operational responsibilities and requires multi-disciplinary teamwork with inpatient services, social services, the police, statutory, and voluntary agencies.

Please note: This role is only open to registered Social Workers.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Assess, manage, and support service users experiencing mental health crises to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.
• Handle crisis referrals from multiple sources and ensure compliance with strict response times.
• Liaise with professionals across health and social care sectors to ensure service users receive timely and effective support.
• Oversee access, flow, and discharge at the West London Crisis Recovery House (WLCRH).
• Provide clinical supervision, mentorship, and reflective practice sessions to team members.
• Lead in policy and procedure development within crisis care services.
• Contribute to multi-disciplinary team meetings and work closely with community teams, inpatient units, and external agencies.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding policies, Mental Health Act regulations, and the Care Programme Approach (CPA).

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential:

• Registered Social Worker (HCPC).
• Mentorship, Teaching, or Assessing qualification.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Evidence of post-registration professional development.

Desirable:

• First or higher degree in a relevant field.
• ENB 998, 812, or equivalent qualification.

Experience

Essential:

• Significant experience in mental health settings (community, crisis care, or liaison psychiatry).
• Demonstrable experience at Band 6 or equivalent level.
• Experience delivering clinical supervision and reflective practice to nurses and other professionals.
• Multi-disciplinary team collaboration.
• Experience managing and supervising staff.
• Experience developing and implementing policies and procedures.

Desirable:

• Six months of experience in Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT), Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Teams (CRHTT), Liaison Services, or similar roles.

Knowledge

Essential:

• Strong understanding of the Mental Health Act and related legislation.
• Knowledge of adult and child safeguarding requirements.
• Understanding of the Care Programme Approach (CPA).
• Awareness of current developments in mental health care and NHS services.

Desirable:

• Experience using the RiO patient record system.
• Knowledge of audit and research methodologies.

Skills

Essential:

• Ability to assess, develop, implement, and evaluate care plans for individuals in crisis.
• Experience using therapeutic interventions for acute mental health crises.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to assess and manage risk to clients, self, and others.
• Excellent telephone communication skills.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience with case management and workload prioritization.
• Ability to supervise and mentor staff, including multi-disciplinary professionals.
• Experience developing and delivering training and practice development sessions.
• Experience conducting appraisals and performance management.
• Ability to provide culturally sensitive mental health care.
• Strong record-keeping and report-writing skills.

Desirable:

• IT skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, and database management.

Additional Requirements

Essential:

• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced crisis care setting.
• Strong interpersonal skills for networking and liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
• Punctuality and good attendance record.
• Demonstrated empathy and positive attitude towards individuals with mental health conditions.
• Evidence of effective leadership skills.
• Availability to work shifts covering 24/7 services, including weekends and public holidays.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating service outcomes.

Desirable:

• Experience with performance management strategies.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check

This role is subject to a DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications are welcome from candidates requiring a Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship.

As of 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants must provide a criminal record certificate from any country where they have lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years. This requirement also applies to adult dependants (over 18 years old).

For further information, visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Closing Date: 26 March 2025