Please Note: This role is not open to international sponsorship .
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a sufficient number of applications be received. Therefore, we encourage interested candidates to submit their application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
The role involves engaging with patients in distress, supporting mental health assessments, undertaking observations and welfare checks, gathering relevant information from patients, carers, and partner agencies, and assisting with care planning and discharge arrangements. The post holder acts as an advocate for patients, promotes recovery-focused care, and works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across both mental health and acute hospital services.
The Band 3 HCSW is responsible for maintaining accurate clinical records, escalating concerns regarding risk or safeguarding, and supporting the team in managing patient flow and service delivery. The role requires excellent communication skills, an understanding of mental health difficulties, and the ability to work compassionately with people experiencing emotional distress, crisis, or complex needs.
The post holder will develop positive working relationships with acute hospital staff, community mental health services, social care, and third-sector agencies to ensure patients receive timely and appropriate support, contributing to improved patient outcomes and experiences.
Whilst working within the Mental Health Liaison Team you will be required to:
- Provide therapeutic engagement and support to patients referred to the service.
- Support individuals presenting with mental health crisis, emotional distress and behavioural difficulties.
- Assist qualified practitioners in assessing and monitoring patients within the Emergency Department and inpatient wards.
- Undertake and record observations as directed by registered staff.
- Support enhanced observations and maintain patient safety where required.
- Assist in the management of patients awaiting mental health assessment, admission or transfer.
- Communicate effectively with patients, carers, acute hospital staff and members of the multidisciplinary team.
- Provide reassurance and support to patients experiencing distress or anxiety.
- Accurately document care and patient contacts using RiO and Trust systems.
- Participate in clinical handovers and team discussions.
- Contribute to maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment.
- Participate in mandatory training, supervision and reflective practice.
- Work flexibly across a 24-hour, 7-day rota, including nights, weekends and bank holidays.
LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.
Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you’d like to discuss your application, please ask.
We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.
LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.
The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.
Explore our full wellbeing offer here: Keeping our workforce well
If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please review the attached job description and person specification.
