South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Community Practitioner: SUN Project

The closing date is 16 October 2025

Job summary

Do you have a passion for working with people dealing with complex emotional needs, suicidality, self-harm and trauma in a person-centred, strength-based approach?

Do you believe in the power of peer support as part of someone's mental health recovery?

Southwark SUN (service user network) Project is a crisis peer-support group and we are looking for someone to join our team to facilitate groups and build our service.

We are looking for the right person to fully train and support your development to facilitate sun groups

Main duties of the job

To assist in the coordination of SUN service in Southwark (Service User Network) and to facilitate crisis-focused groups following training.
To provide leadership for students and/or junior staff, through supervision and appraisal.
In the absence of SUN lead, to take more lead in co-ordinating the activities around the SUN project and ensuring it's smooth functioning
To support the provision of psychological approaches for patients with personality disorder / complex emotional and relational difficulties across Southwark community mental health teams within limits expected at Band 6 and under guidance and supervision of SUN Team Lead.
To carry out as required, MDT activities to enable the daily functioning of the team and completing relevant patient related documentations such as risk assessments and care plans.

About us

The Southwark SUN Project team is run according to therapeutic principles of team work, compassion and relies on open, respectful dialogue and emotional honesty. You would join the SUN team lead, clinical lead and support worker who are permanent staff. We have visiting students on placement, and staff from across Southwark community mental health teams join us. You would receive weekly group clinical supervision. Any staff member is encouraged to be part of decisions building our service. We are a new team (running for one year) and the service is designed based on other SUN Projects (sitting both within NHS mental health services and outside).

Date posted

02 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£46,419 to £55,046 a year per annum inclusive of HCAs

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

334-CLI-7466345

Job locations

St Giles House

St Giles Road

London

SE5 7UD

Job description

Job responsibilities

Once trained, to act as SUN lead facilitator on a rota basis, maintaining a safe clinical environment and facilitating clear, effective communication across the team.
To reach level 3 competence in the delivery of the appraisal based coping skills groups (as part of the sun project within the service) within 3-6 months of being in post.
To assertively outreach to teams and other care co-ordinators on a regular basis to promote the Sun Project.
To assess needs, plan, implement and monitor care in collaboration with the service-user, carers, and other members of the multidisciplinary team and implement care that meets the mental, physical, spiritual, psychological and social needs of the service user, and that is sensitive to age, culture, race, gender, ethnicity, social class, sexuality and disability.
To support the provision of treatment for clients with personality disorder in the within limits expected at Band 6.
To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.
To provide clinical supervision and consultation within the SUN team as appropriate in the within limits expected at Band 6.
To ensure high quality record keeping in line with service and Trust requirements including risk assessments, plans, with consideration of patient/others safeguarding needs.
To be involved in QI projects/audits/service improvement activities
To comply with HCPC / NMC and Social Work England and other Standards and their Code of conduct and ensure professional development in line with these.
To adhere to all other Trust policies and procedures.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Once trained, to act as SUN lead facilitator on a rota basis, maintaining a safe clinical environment and facilitating clear, effective communication across the team.
To reach level 3 competence in the delivery of the appraisal based coping skills groups (as part of the sun project within the service) within 3-6 months of being in post.
To assertively outreach to teams and other care co-ordinators on a regular basis to promote the Sun Project.
To assess needs, plan, implement and monitor care in collaboration with the service-user, carers, and other members of the multidisciplinary team and implement care that meets the mental, physical, spiritual, psychological and social needs of the service user, and that is sensitive to age, culture, race, gender, ethnicity, social class, sexuality and disability.
To support the provision of treatment for clients with personality disorder in the within limits expected at Band 6.
To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.
To provide clinical supervision and consultation within the SUN team as appropriate in the within limits expected at Band 6.
To ensure high quality record keeping in line with service and Trust requirements including risk assessments, plans, with consideration of patient/others safeguarding needs.
To be involved in QI projects/audits/service improvement activities
To comply with HCPC / NMC and Social Work England and other Standards and their Code of conduct and ensure professional development in line with these.
To adhere to all other Trust policies and procedures.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

oTo have undertaken a recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions, e.g., psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, medicine, social work, and occupational therapy OR equivalent. (A/I)
oExperience of receiving clinical supervision across a range of patient needs. (A/I)
oExperience of assessment and treatment of patients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature, particularly those personality disorder and associated difficulties. (A/I)
oExperience of providing supervision to junior colleagues. (A/I)
oHold a valid Professional Registration either as a Clinical Psychologist, Registered Mental Nurse, Mental Health Social Worker, Occupational Therapist-Registered with NMC, HCPC or Social Work England. (A/I)

Desirable

Formal post-qualification training / and or experience in psychological approaches related to personality disorder.

Experience

Essential

oSubstantial mental health service work with people with a range of mental health problems. (A/I)
oExperience of managing crisis presentations (suicidal thoughts, self-harm urges, rage, emotional distress) in a clinical or public health setting
oExperience of working with personality disorder and patients with associated difficulties.
oExperience of working with issues of risk and safety both physical and relational.
oExperience of multi-disciplinary working.

Desirable

oExperience of supervision and or mentoring students or junior colleagues. (A/I)
oExperience of facilitating groups in a mental health setting. (A&I)
oThe Trust encourages and welcomes applications from people with lived experience of mental health challenges. We see this as valuable and recognise the positive impact this experience can have on the work we do. (A/I)

Knowledge and skills

Essential

oComprehensive knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses/conditions and their recommended treatments. (A&I)
oDemonstrable commitment to working with people with personality disorder. (A&I)
oAn ability to tolerate difficult and at times unpredictable working conditions which can include risky behaviour, acts of self-harm and high levels of distress by service users. (A/I)
oA commitment to working compassionately and reflectively with a team which includes holding high levels of emotion and includes peer support. (A/I)
oSkills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups. (A/I/R)

Desirable

Formal post-qualification training / and or experience in psychological approaches related to personality disorder.

Abilities

Essential

oAbility to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles. (A/I/R)
oAbility to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings (A/I/R)
oAbility to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions, and to deal with unexpected interruptions or changes during these. (A/I)
oAbility to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour. (A/I)
oAbility to manage verbal aggression and hostility directed at self. (A/I)

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

oTo have undertaken a recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions, e.g., psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, medicine, social work, and occupational therapy OR equivalent. (A/I)
oExperience of receiving clinical supervision across a range of patient needs. (A/I)
oExperience of assessment and treatment of patients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature, particularly those personality disorder and associated difficulties. (A/I)
oExperience of providing supervision to junior colleagues. (A/I)
oHold a valid Professional Registration either as a Clinical Psychologist, Registered Mental Nurse, Mental Health Social Worker, Occupational Therapist-Registered with NMC, HCPC or Social Work England. (A/I)

Desirable

Formal post-qualification training / and or experience in psychological approaches related to personality disorder.

Experience

Essential

oSubstantial mental health service work with people with a range of mental health problems. (A/I)
oExperience of managing crisis presentations (suicidal thoughts, self-harm urges, rage, emotional distress) in a clinical or public health setting
oExperience of working with personality disorder and patients with associated difficulties.
oExperience of working with issues of risk and safety both physical and relational.
oExperience of multi-disciplinary working.

Desirable

oExperience of supervision and or mentoring students or junior colleagues. (A/I)
oExperience of facilitating groups in a mental health setting. (A&I)
oThe Trust encourages and welcomes applications from people with lived experience of mental health challenges. We see this as valuable and recognise the positive impact this experience can have on the work we do. (A/I)

Knowledge and skills

Essential

oComprehensive knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses/conditions and their recommended treatments. (A&I)
oDemonstrable commitment to working with people with personality disorder. (A&I)
oAn ability to tolerate difficult and at times unpredictable working conditions which can include risky behaviour, acts of self-harm and high levels of distress by service users. (A/I)
oA commitment to working compassionately and reflectively with a team which includes holding high levels of emotion and includes peer support. (A/I)
oSkills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups. (A/I/R)

Desirable

Formal post-qualification training / and or experience in psychological approaches related to personality disorder.

Abilities

Essential

oAbility to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles. (A/I/R)
oAbility to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings (A/I/R)
oAbility to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions, and to deal with unexpected interruptions or changes during these. (A/I)
oAbility to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour. (A/I)
oAbility to manage verbal aggression and hostility directed at self. (A/I)

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Certificate of Sponsorship

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Giles House

St Giles Road

London

SE5 7UD

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Giles House

St Giles Road

London

SE5 7UD

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)