Be a steady hand in complex times – lead with compassion and make a real difference in mental health social work

As a Senior Social Worker, you’ll bring expertise, leadership and empathy to a dedicated team working with adults facing severe and enduring mental health challenges. You’ll guide colleagues, manage complex cases and help ensure safe, person-centred care.

What you’ll be doing:

In this varied and meaningful role, you’ll support the day-to-day running of the mental health team, deputising for the Team Manager and acting as Duty Manager on a rota. You’ll help screen new referrals, manage triage and safeguarding concerns, and ensure duty work is handled efficiently and with care.

You’ll lead by example in multi-agency meetings, offering a clear social work voice in decision-making. You’ll work closely with community mental health teams, voluntary groups and healthcare partners – building relationships that improve support and keep people safe.

While you’ll manage a smaller caseload, you’ll be working on complex cases, from urgent assessments, Nearest Relative requests to court proceedings, whilst also supporting the team with setting up community assessment, case discussions and liaising with partner agencies. You’ll also play an important mentoring role, supervising the permanent AMHPs and supporting newly qualified AMHPs and AMHP Trainees.

For further details, please review the Job Description and Person Specification

What you’ll bring

You’ll be a registered Social Worker with Social Work England and hold the Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) qualification. You’ll have experience working with adults with complex mental health needs, with at least two years post AMHP Approval experience. You will have a deep understanding of legislation including the Care Act, the Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act, with the ability to apply that knowledge both verbally and in writing in high-pressure situations. Experience of being a Senior or supervising staff will also be a requirement for the post.

We’re looking for someone who brings calm confidence to complex cases and takes pride in supporting others to do their best work. You’ll be organised, collaborative, and compassionate – able to hold risk, make effective decisions in a timely manner, escalate when appropriate and work constructively with families, colleagues and external partners.

You’ll be comfortable managing systems and meeting deadlines, and you’ll be committed to professional development – for yourself and those you support. With the ability to go above and beyond when required, to ensure that the safest and most effective outcome is reached. Most of all, you’ll share our values of working together, putting communities first, acting with integrity and treating everyone with respect.

Why join us

At RBKC, we’re all in – investing in our people, our communities and our future.

You’ll join a friendly and supportive team of five, based in a welcoming and accessible location off Pembroke road. We’re known for our strong work ethic, open culture and shared commitment to improving lives.

There’s plenty of scope for progression, training and involvement in wider mental health research and innovation. You’ll have regular supervision, annual appraisals focused on your growth, and the chance to shape a service that is evolving to meet residents’ needs in a changing world.

About us

Kensington and Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique local places. Everything we do is focused on supporting our residents, strengthening our approach and creating a fairer borough.

As a competent and caring Council, we take pride in our work every day, ensuring our services are delivered with care and competence. We listen to our residents, act with integrity and work together to build a borough that is greener, safer and fairer for all.

In this role, you’ll get stuck in – managing risk, supporting your team and leading key decisions that directly affect people’s lives. Whether you’re offering guidance in a professionals’ meeting, triaging referrals or helping shape alternatives to hospital admission, your efforts will directly improve outcomes for vulnerable residents. You’ll be part of a system that values social work and the people behind it – where your insight and care make a lasting impact.

Position Details

This role requires undertaking an Enhanced DBS Adults and Children's Barred List

Ready to join us?

We’re all in – are you? If you share our values and have the skills to contribute, we’d love to hear from you.

Please apply online explaining how you meet the requirements set out in the person specification and job description.

We reserve the right to extend or close this vacancy early without warning subject to the volume of suitable applicants.

We are committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.

We are committed to fair, transparent, and consistent pay practices.

New hires will normally start at the minimum of the pay scale. However, a higher starting salary may be negotiated where a candidate demonstrates exceptional skills, knowledge, or experience.

Employees receive annual salary increments until they reach the top of the pay scale, as well as any agreed cost of living pay awards.