Community Mental Health

Community Mental Health Team Manager

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Quick Job Summary

Certificate of Sponsorship / Skilled Worker Visa

Good news for international applicants: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust states that applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

However, applicants must have current UK professional registration with the appropriate professional body.

This may include:

• Nursing – NMC
• Occupational Therapy – HCPC
• Social Work – Social Work England

Therefore, overseas professionals should ensure they meet the UK registration requirement before applying.

About the Role

A rare opportunity is available to join the Lambeth Older Adults Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) as a Community Mental Health Team Manager.

The successful candidate will join a supportive service and will have the opportunity to develop or consolidate their leadership and management skills.

The Trust is looking for an enthusiastic and motivated professional who is committed to working with older adults and can demonstrate the ability to:

• Lead and sustain service change
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary professionals
• Bring people and teams together
• Communicate effectively with staff, patients, carers and external agencies
• Think flexibly and creatively
• Provide effective operational leadership
• Promote high-quality, person-centred care

About the Lambeth Older Adults CMHT

The Lambeth Community Mental Health Team provides community-based mental health services for people aged 65 and over, as well as patients under 65 with early-onset dementia, living within the London Borough of Lambeth.

The successful candidate will work alongside a multidisciplinary team of professionals and will be part of a supportive network of community team managers and clinical specialists.

The role requires strong communication, leadership and organisational skills, as well as the ability to work effectively with service users, carers, healthcare professionals and external partner organisations.

Main Purpose of the Role

The Team Manager will have overall operational management responsibility for the Community Mental Health Team.

Working alongside a leadership team consisting of:

• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist
• Two Consultant Psychiatrists

the Team Manager will help ensure that the service is:

• Evidence-based
• Efficient
• Responsive
• Needs-led
• User-focused
• High quality
• Financially sustainable
• Supportive of staff learning and development

The manager will also help create a reflective learning environment where practitioners can learn from one another and where feedback from patients and carers is valued.

The Multidisciplinary Team

The CMHT includes professionals from a range of disciplines, including:

• Community Psychiatric Nurses
• Occupational Therapists
• Psychologists
• Psychotherapy staff
• Psychiatrists
• Administrative staff

The service operates an annual budget of approximately £1.9 million and has around 20 whole-time equivalent staff.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management

The Team Manager will:

• Take overall operational responsibility for the CMHT.
• Ensure effective systems are in place for receiving referrals.
• Oversee assessment and allocation processes.
• Ensure appropriate case closure procedures.
• Maintain systems for service users receiving care under CPA.
• Ensure appropriate management of Section 117 aftercare arrangements.
• Monitor team activity and performance.
• Identify areas requiring improvement.
• Lead appropriate service improvement initiatives.

Leadership and Team Management

The successful candidate will:

• Provide effective leadership to the multidisciplinary team.
• Coordinate and delegate work appropriately.
• Motivate and support staff.
• Promote an open, honest and supportive working environment.
• Encourage staff to learn from one another.
• Promote equality and value diversity.
• Encourage evidence-based practice.
• Support professional development and training.
• Promote continuous improvement within the service.

Recruitment and Workforce Management

Responsibilities will include:

• Leading recruitment and selection processes.
• Ensuring safe staffing levels.
• Maintaining an appropriate skill mix.
• Monitoring sickness absence.
• Managing annual leave.
• Managing training and study leave.
• Taking appropriate management action when required.
• Ensuring staff receive appropriate supervision.
• Supporting professional and clinical supervision arrangements.
• Ensuring staff receive regular appraisals.
• Supporting professional development.

Communication and Partnership Working

The manager will develop and maintain effective communication systems within the CMHT and across the wider service.

This will include working closely with:

• GPs
• Social Services
• Other healthcare providers
• Voluntary organisations
• Partner agencies
• Other teams across PMOA
• Governance teams
• Safeguarding leads
• Professional leads
• Business managers
• Clinical service leads

The successful candidate will also represent the service at relevant meetings and forums.

Clinical Governance

The Team Manager will ensure that clinical governance policies and procedures are implemented effectively.

Responsibilities include:

• Investigating complaints.
• Investigating incidents.
• Implementing recommendations following investigations.
• Undertaking clinical activity audits.
• Monitoring quality and performance.
• Promoting safe and effective clinical practice.
• Supporting continuous service improvement.

Health and Safety

The role includes responsibility for maintaining a safe environment for:

• Patients
• Carers
• Staff
• Visitors

The manager will ensure that relevant health and safety legislation and Trust procedures are followed.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring mandatory training requirements are met.
• Conducting appropriate risk assessments.
• Monitoring workplace safety.
• Identifying risks associated with clinical work.
• Taking immediate action where significant risks are identified.
• Promoting a culture of health, safety and security.

Financial Management

The Team Manager will coordinate, monitor and review the team’s financial resources.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing the CMHT budget.
• Ensuring expenditure remains within agreed limits.
• Promoting value for money.
• Monitoring financial performance.
• Ensuring compliance with Trust financial policies.
• Contributing to the directorate business plan.
• Supporting team budget setting.
• Ensuring resources are used effectively.

Information Management and Reporting

The manager will support the effective use of integrated information systems, including electronic patient journey systems.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring timely input of information by team members.
• Supporting accurate reporting.
• Maintaining high-quality clinical records.
• Using information to support clinical and managerial decision-making.
• Providing reports on team activity and progress.
• Supporting Trust and Social Services reporting requirements.

Clinical Responsibilities

Although this is a management role, the successful candidate may undertake clinical responsibilities as appropriate.

These can include:

• Assessment
• Care management
• Caseload management
• Developing care packages
• Implementing person-centred care
• Evaluating care
• Working with multidisciplinary professionals
• Working with external agencies
• Attending professional and management supervision

The successful applicant must recognise their own professional limitations and seek appropriate advice, training and support where necessary.

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must have one of the following:

• Degree or Master’s-level qualification in Nursing – Mental Health or Learning Disability
• Degree or Master’s-level qualification in Occupational Therapy
• Degree or Master’s-level qualification in Social Work
• Equivalent diploma combined with relevant work experience

Applicants must also have:

• Current registration with an appropriate professional body.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Professional Registration Requirement

Current UK professional registration is required.

Relevant registration may include:

• NMC for registered nurses
• HCPC for occupational therapists
• Social Work England for social workers

This requirement is particularly important for overseas applicants seeking Skilled Worker sponsorship.

Desirable Qualifications

The following would be advantageous:

• Further training in leadership and management.
• Additional training relevant to the mental health care of older adults.

Essential Experience

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Proven professional and management experience within a community-based service.
• Experience of assessment and casework.
• Experience supporting older adults with mental health problems requiring community care.
• Ability to engage a team in delivering care systematically.
• A flexible and sensitive approach to care and service provision.

Desirable Experience

Additional experience in the following areas would be beneficial:

• Project management.
• Quality improvement.
• Management of clinical staff.
• Management of non-clinical staff.
• Supervision of staff.

Essential Skills and Abilities

The successful candidate should demonstrate the ability to:

• Present ideas clearly.
• Influence and persuade diverse audiences.
• Enthuse and motivate staff.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Build effective working relationships.
• Communicate with people at different levels.
• Negotiate effectively.
• Reach appropriate compromises.
• Lead and sustain organisational change.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Analyse complex problems.
• Gather and evaluate relevant information.
• Exercise sound professional judgement.
• Make appropriate decisions.

Desirable Skills

The Trust would also value candidates who demonstrate:

• A methodical approach to work.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Innovative thinking.
• Creativity.
• Willingness to introduce new approaches.
• Understanding of the balance between clinical and managerial responsibilities.

Essential Knowledge

Applicants should have sound knowledge of:

• Current issues affecting older people’s mental health.
• Dementia care.
• Acute mental health problems within community settings.
• Mental Health Act requirements.
• Care Act requirements.
• Care Programme Approach (CPA).
• Section 117 aftercare.
• Human Rights considerations.
• Care management processes.
• Policy frameworks relating to older people’s care.

Desirable Knowledge

It would also be advantageous to understand:

• The role of organisations providing services to older people with mental health problems.
• Partnership working across health and social care.
• Personal professional limitations.
• Strengths and weaknesses.
• When and how to seek professional advice.

Working Location

Maudsley Hospital
Denmark Hill
London
SE5 8AZ
United Kingdom

Although the service is based at Maudsley Hospital, much of the clinical work takes place through home visits.

The successful candidate must therefore be able to travel throughout the London Borough of Lambeth.

Driving is not essential, as the advert states that public transport links are good.

Working Pattern

• Full-time
• Permanent
• NHS Agenda for Change
• Band 7

Salary

£58,133 – £65,261 per year

The advertised salary is inclusive of High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS).

Benefits and Development Opportunities

The role offers the opportunity to work within a supportive directorate where community older adult services received an outstanding rating for leadership in the most recent CQC inspection.

The Trust highlights:

• Regular support and supervision.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Opportunities to identify and address learning needs.
• Career development support.
• Staff retention initiatives.
• Supportive management structures.
• Multidisciplinary working.
• Opportunities to develop a broad management portfolio.

Additional Information – DBS Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

As part of the recruitment process, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Information for Overseas Applicants

Applicants requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome to apply.

However, the Trust specifically states that applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Overseas applicants should therefore ensure they meet the applicable UK registration requirements before applying.

For immigration information, applicants can refer to the official UK Visas and Immigration guidance.

Important Note for Applicants

Sponsorship availability does not remove the professional requirements for the position.

Before applying, candidates should carefully check that they meet:

• The required professional qualification.
• Current UK professional registration requirements.
• Required community mental health experience.
• Older adult mental health experience.
• Management and leadership requirements.
• Other requirements contained within the person specification.

Application Deadline

20 September 2026

Applicants are encouraged to submit their application before the closing date rather than waiting until the final day.

Job Reference

334-NUR-8195972-FR

Employer

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

The Trust provides mental health services across South London and offers opportunities across clinical, managerial and professional disciplines.

Employer Contact

Clinical Service Manager: Ros Tuerk

Email: rosalyn.tuerk@slam.nhs.uk

Telephone: 07809 316969

Application

This is an NHS Band 7 management opportunity for an appropriately registered nurse, occupational therapist or social worker with relevant community mental health experience.

Applicants requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome to apply, subject to meeting the role requirements and holding the required current UK professional registration.

Closing date: 20 September 2026

Important Disclaimer

This vacancy information has been arranged from the original NHS Jobs advert. Applicants should always review the official vacancy page and person specification before submitting an application.

Job reference: 334-NUR-8195972-FR
Closing date: 20 September 2026