Alcohol Assertive Outreach Clinician - Lewisham

Overview

To case manage a small group of clients with complex mental, physical health, and social care needs who are high users of emergency and inpatient services. The post holder will work collaboratively with these clients to identify and manage their priorities, supporting recovery while reducing unplanned hospital admissions. With the expansion of the Alcohol Assertive Outreach Team (AAOT) across South London—including Lewisham, Bexley, Greenwich, and Bromley—this role forms part of a regional initiative that integrates care across acute hospital sites and community services.

Responsibilities

• Manage a small caseload of clients with complex and multiple needs, including assessment, care planning, implementation, and regular review.
• Conduct assertive outreach visits in the community, including attending clients goal homes and other agreed locations, to maintain engagement and support those reluctant to access services.
• Proactively engage clients in alcohol treatment pathways, including structured psychosocial and/or pharmacological interventions, using motivational and trauma-informed approaches.
• Act as an advocate for clients—supporting access to services related to housing, benefits, physical and mental health, and social care—while helping remove barriers to engagement.
• Undertake dynamic risk assessments to ensure the safety and wellbeing of clients, staff, and volunteers in varied community and hospital-based settings.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate clinical documentation, sharing relevant information with partner agencies to ensure coordinated care and risk management.
• Support and supervise volunteers and contribute to informal guidance for Band 5 colleagues, ensuring safe and effective involvement across the service.
• Contribute to service evaluation, quality improvement, and research projects aligned with the AAOT\’s evidence-based model.
• Participate in regular supervision, appraisal, and ongoing professional development, including fulfilling all mandatory training requirements.

About SLaM and partners

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provides the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London and are part of King’s Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.

By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities, and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field. SLaM delivered more than 14,000 training experiences in 2014, providing an extensive range of learning opportunities for staff at all levels. In addition, our working relationship with King’s Health Partners allows those working at the Trust to get involved in academic research.