Job summary
The Alcohol Assertive Outreach Team a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team that provides intensive, relationship-based support to individuals who frequently attend hospital due to alcohol-related issues. The service aims to reduce avoidable hospital use and improve long-term outcomes by delivering compassionate, personalised, community-based care.
Following the success of the AAOT in Lambeth and Southwark, the team is now expanding across all South East London boroughs, including Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich. This role will play a pivotal part in supporting that expansion while delivering direct clinical care and leadership.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a Registered Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Social Worker to contribute to an innovative model of care. You will work closely with acute hospital Alcohol Care Teams, Liaison Psychiatry, community mental health, and substance misuse services across the region.
Main duties of the job
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Provide clinical leadership within the AAOT, promoting safe, effective, trauma-informed care.
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Hold a small caseload of high-need individuals, carrying out assessments, risk management, care planning, and reviews.
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Provide day-to-day line management and supervision for a small team of clinicians.
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Support the recruitment, development, and supervision of team members and volunteers.
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Build effective partnerships across acute, community, and voluntary services to support joined-up care.
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Contribute to the strategic development and regional expansion of the AAOT model.
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Maintain accurate records and contribute to audit, evaluation, and service improvement initiatives.
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Ensure compliance with Trust clinical governance frameworks and national best practice standards.
About us
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) is part of King's Health Partners - a leading Academic Health Sciences Centre made up of:
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
King's College London
This collaboration ensures that clinical services benefit directly from the latest research, innovation, and education, driving continuous improvements in patient care.
The AAOT is embedded within SLaM's Addictions Division, which delivers mental health and substance misuse services across Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich. The Addictions service works across Tiers 2, 3, and 4 and is known for strong community partnerships and delivery in diverse settings, including:
Patients' own homes
GP surgeries and primary care hubs
Hostels and supported accommodation
Hospitals and mental health settings
Criminal justice environments
The AAOT plays a key role in reducing barriers to engagement and supporting individuals with the most complex needs to achieve long-term recovery.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Leadership & Governance
Deliver and model high-quality, person-centred care in line with best practice and Trust policies.
Contribute to clinical governance, risk management, and quality improvement activities.
Promote a culture of excellence, safety, and continuous learning.
Case Management
Hold a caseload of approximately 510 individuals with high levels of need.
Carry out comprehensive assessments, develop care plans, and regularly review progress.
Complete robust risk assessments and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with policy.
Team Supervision & Development
Line manage and support a small number of clinical staff.
Ensure the delivery of regular managerial and clinical supervision, annual appraisals, and ongoing professional development.
Promote a positive, compassionate, and resilient team culture.
Partnership & Systems Working
Collaborate with Alcohol Care Teams, Liaison Psychiatry, Community Mental Health Teams, and other stakeholders.
Build links with acute and community services to ensure timely referrals and coordinated care.
Work flexibly across the region, maintaining visibility in relevant meetings and forums.
Service Development & Expansion
Support the expansion of the AAOT model across Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich.
Contribute to strategy and planning with the Clinical Service Lead and partners.
Promote innovation and responsiveness to local need, including linking with broader mental health initiatives.
Data, Evaluation, and Quality
Ensure clinical documentation is accurate, timely, and maintained on the electronic patient record system
Participate in data collection, audits, and research to evidence service impact and inform future development.
Monitor performance against Trust KPIs and contribute to ongoing service evaluation.
Communications and Working Relationships
You will work collaboratively and proactively with:
AAOT patients and their carers (daily)
AAOT colleagues and volunteers (daily)
Alcohol Care Teams, Psychiatric Liaison Nurses (daily)
Community substance use and mental health services (weekly/as needed)
Acute hospital teams across South East London (as required)
Local authority and third-sector partners (as needed)
Clinical Service Lead and line manager (weekly)
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Leadership & Governance
Deliver and model high-quality, person-centred care in line with best practice and Trust policies.
Contribute to clinical governance, risk management, and quality improvement activities.
Promote a culture of excellence, safety, and continuous learning.
Case Management
Hold a caseload of approximately 510 individuals with high levels of need.
Carry out comprehensive assessments, develop care plans, and regularly review progress.
Complete robust risk assessments and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with policy.
Team Supervision & Development
Line manage and support a small number of clinical staff.
Ensure the delivery of regular managerial and clinical supervision, annual appraisals, and ongoing professional development.
Promote a positive, compassionate, and resilient team culture.
Partnership & Systems Working
Collaborate with Alcohol Care Teams, Liaison Psychiatry, Community Mental Health Teams, and other stakeholders.
Build links with acute and community services to ensure timely referrals and coordinated care.
Work flexibly across the region, maintaining visibility in relevant meetings and forums.
Service Development & Expansion
Support the expansion of the AAOT model across Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich.
Contribute to strategy and planning with the Clinical Service Lead and partners.
Promote innovation and responsiveness to local need, including linking with broader mental health initiatives.
Data, Evaluation, and Quality
Ensure clinical documentation is accurate, timely, and maintained on the electronic patient record system
Participate in data collection, audits, and research to evidence service impact and inform future development.
Monitor performance against Trust KPIs and contribute to ongoing service evaluation.
Communications and Working Relationships
You will work collaboratively and proactively with:
AAOT patients and their carers (daily)
AAOT colleagues and volunteers (daily)
Alcohol Care Teams, Psychiatric Liaison Nurses (daily)
Community substance use and mental health services (weekly/as needed)
Acute hospital teams across South East London (as required)
Local authority and third-sector partners (as needed)
Clinical Service Lead and line manager (weekly)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RMN/RGN, Qualified OT, or Social Worker with current registration
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Advanced Assessment Skills or other Qualification of Advanced Practice.
Experience
Essential
- Experience working with patients with alcohol use disorders in a community or inpatient setting or experience supporting individuals with complex health/social care nee.
- Experience working with patients with alcohol use disorders in a community or inpatient setting or experience supporting individuals with complex health/social care nee.
- Experience of supervising staff, including clinical or managerial supervision
- Experience of working successfully with a range of external services to support joint care planning
- Experience of using psycho-social interventions with patients
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team and across systems
Skills
Essential
- Ability to engage and motivate patients, using a person-centred and flexible approach
- Able to assess patients with complex needs including patients with mental health or complex physical needs alongside their alcohol use.
- Able to undertake risk assessments, escalate appropriately, and contribute to safeguarding plans
- Able to lead a small team, manage competing priorities and promote a positive, confident and supportive working environment
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills for working with patients, families and professionals
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of structured interventions, motivational interviewing, and brief interventions
- Understanding of physical health complications of alcohol use
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act relevant to this client group
- Clear understanding of professional and multidisciplinary roles and responsibilities
- Understanding of trauma-informed and recovery-focused care
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RMN/RGN, Qualified OT, or Social Worker with current registration
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Advanced Assessment Skills or other Qualification of Advanced Practice.
Experience
Essential
- Experience working with patients with alcohol use disorders in a community or inpatient setting or experience supporting individuals with complex health/social care nee.
- Experience working with patients with alcohol use disorders in a community or inpatient setting or experience supporting individuals with complex health/social care nee.
- Experience of supervising staff, including clinical or managerial supervision
- Experience of working successfully with a range of external services to support joint care planning
- Experience of using psycho-social interventions with patients
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team and across systems
Skills
Essential
- Ability to engage and motivate patients, using a person-centred and flexible approach
- Able to assess patients with complex needs including patients with mental health or complex physical needs alongside their alcohol use.
- Able to undertake risk assessments, escalate appropriately, and contribute to safeguarding plans
- Able to lead a small team, manage competing priorities and promote a positive, confident and supportive working environment
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills for working with patients, families and professionals
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of structured interventions, motivational interviewing, and brief interventions
- Understanding of physical health complications of alcohol use
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act relevant to this client group
- Clear understanding of professional and multidisciplinary roles and responsibilities
- Understanding of trauma-informed and recovery-focused care
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
