East London NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Social Worker to join its Community Mental Health Care for Older People service in Hackney and the City of London.
The role involves managing a defined caseload, providing holistic assessments and direct support to service users, many of whom are living in their own homes. The successful applicant will work closely with a multidisciplinary team and carry out statutory social work duties under the Care Act 2014.
Skilled Worker sponsorship: Applications from candidates who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.
Job Details
- Employer: East London NHS Foundation Trust
- Job title: Social Worker
- Band: Band 6
- Salary: £47,951 – £56,863 per year, including HCAs
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Location: MHCOP CMHT Office, 30 Felstead Street, London, E9 5LG
- Service area: Community Mental Health Care for Older People
- Reference: 363-CH8278106
- Date posted: 24 September 2026
- Closing date: 11 October 2026
About the Role
The Social Worker will work with a defined caseload of patients, predominantly in their own homes, providing direct and holistic assessment and care in collaboration with colleagues.
Social Workers are embedded within Mental Health Teams and are expected to undertake statutory responsibilities under the Care Act 2014. The role involves working alongside Mental Health Nurses, Doctors, Psychologists, Support Workers and Occupational Therapists.
The position requires regular travel across Hackney and the City, with occasional travel to neighbouring boroughs.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide direct care and support to a defined group of service users.
- Carry out holistic assessments and assessments of risk.
- Support service users with counselling and social inclusion.
- Work with patients who may be detained in hospital or subject to conditional discharge arrangements, including S37/41 cases.
- Liaise with carers, families, partner organisations and other stakeholders.
- Work effectively within the multidisciplinary team.
- Participate in duty and triage arrangements.
- Work within the Care Programme Approach (CPA) framework.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation.
- Follow Trust policies, national guidance and relevant legislation.
- Support learners and contribute to professional development.
- Participate in individual and, where available, group supervision.
- Take part in appraisal processes.
- Make autonomous decisions while managing and prioritising a demanding caseload.
Essential Qualifications and Registration
Applicants must have:
- Current registration as a Social Worker with Social Work England.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Current UK professional registration.
An AMHP qualification is desirable, as is evidence of a professional portfolio.
Essential Experience
Candidates should have:
- At least 18 months’ experience as a qualified Social Worker, including relevant community experience.
- Experience completing full assessments under the Care Act and producing reports.
- Experience working within a multi-professional team.
- Experience working in a multi-racial inner-city environment.
The Trust also values the ability to engage with people holistically and experience using Microsoft Word and Excel.
Skills and Abilities
The successful applicant should demonstrate:
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Leadership skills.
- The ability to manage themselves and others.
- Effective workload prioritisation.
- Excellent time management.
- The ability to work effectively within a team.
- An innovative approach to daily practice.
- The ability to make autonomous decisions.
Working Pattern and Travel
This is a full-time, permanent position.
The role is based at the MHCOP CMHT Office on Felstead Street in London. Regular travel within Hackney and the City is required, with occasional travel to neighbouring boroughs.
Visa Sponsorship and Right to Work
The vacancy specifically 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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Candidates applying for Skilled Worker entry clearance may also be required to provide criminal record certificates covering countries where they have lived for the required period.
Sponsorship is therefore explicitly referenced by the employer, but applicants should still ensure they meet all applicable Skilled Worker, registration and role-specific requirements.
DBS Check
This position is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.
About East London NHS Foundation Trust
East London NHS Foundation Trust aims to improve the quality of life of the people it serves. Its stated values are We Care, We Respect and We are Inclusive.
The Trust is seeking people who demonstrate these values when supporting service users and carers and when working with colleagues and partner organisations.
Application and Selection Process
Applications should be submitted through the NHS Jobs vacancy.
Before applying, candidates should check the full job description and person specification and ensure they can demonstrate the required Social Work England registration, community Social Work experience, Care Act assessment experience and multidisciplinary working experience.
Closing date: 11 October 2026
Employer Contact
Operational Lead: Michael Jeggo
Email: Michael.jeggo@nhs.net
Telephone: 07939931579
East London NHS Foundation Trust
MHCOP CMHT Office
30 Felstead Street
London E9 5LG
United Kingdom