About this role
Job summary This is an opportunity to lead a high-performing, multidisciplinary team at the forefront of addiction care within an acute hospital setting - delivered in partnership between King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, with the clinical team drawn from both organisations. As Team Lead, you'll provide specialist assessment and support to inpatients with alcohol and drug use disorders, working to reduce avoidable admissions, shorten length of stay, and improve the safety and quality of care for our patients The Addiction Care Team (ACT) is an established, evidence-based service that has transformed care for patients with alcohol and drug use disorders at King's College Hospital since its launch in 2018. Since inception, ACT has reduced alcohol-related admissions by 20% across Southwark and Lambeth and cut hospital stays. Previous direct addictions experience is not essential - full induction and training will be provided for the right candidate with strong leadership skills.
Main duties of the job Your leadership will ensure that the service consistently meets its key performance targets while maintaining the highest standards of evidence-based practice. You will be responsible for the direct line management, supervision, and professional development of our Band 6 Liaison Nurses, helping them grow in confidence and clinical skill. A significant and exciting part of this role involves cross-site and cross-service leadership. Alongside leading ACT at Denmark Hill, you'll provide cover and support for our sister service at PRUH, and work hand-in-hand with the ACOT Team Lead and Band 7 Lead Nurse to ensure consistent standards across the whole Integrated Alcohol Care Pathway. You'll also help in delivering a quality service for patients across South East London that supports those that need it most.
About us
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide 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. There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.
SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services. Currently, provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.
Job description Job responsibilities You will provide vital clinical and operational leadership for the Addiction Care Team at King's College Hospital . This role is a cornerstone of the Integrated Alcohol Care Pathway, which unites hospital-based support with assertive community outreach to deliver seamless care for individuals with complex alcohol and substance-related needs. You will ensure that care within ACT is safe, effective, and person-centered, working closely with the ACOT Team Lead and the Band 7 Lead Nurse, who leads nursing standards, competencies, and clinical training across both ACT and ACOT. Together, you'll ensure consistent standards and communication across the entire pathway.
Clinical Leadership:Provide day-to-day operational leadership for the Addiction Care Team, ensuring the service meets key targets and adheres to local and national guidelines. Staff Management:Provide direct line management, supervision, and annual appraisals for Band 6 Liaison Nurses, supporting their professional growth through personalised development plans. Specialist Advice:Act as a senior clinical resource for your team, offering guidance on complex assessments, alcohol withdrawal management, risk, safeguarding, and clinical decision-making. Site Cover:Provide cover and support for the PRUH ACT service alongside its own Team Lead, and mutual operational cover with the ACOT Team Lead. Practice Support:Contribute to the induction of new ACT staff, working alongside the Band 7 Lead Nurse, who leads competency sign-off and practice development across the pathway. Clinical Communication:Ensure clinical recommendations are communicated clearly and promptly to ward teams, emergency departments, and community partners. Educational Outreach:Promote hospital staff education on alcohol and drug treatment guidelines across the wider workforce, supporting the Band 7 Lead Nurse, who leads the design and delivery of clinical training. Performance & Data:Own and drive performance against ACT's key targets referral volumes, ED referral timeliness, screening rates, admissions avoided, and length of stay while ensuring compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, and clinical governance standards. Patient Experience:Own patient experience for ACT, jointly with the ACOT Team Lead, gathering and acting on feedback as part of service-level quality assurance. Service Integration:Work closely with the ACOT Team Lead and Clinical Service Lead to ensure consistent standards and smooth communication across the entire pathway. Strategic Representation: Deputise for the Clinical Service Lead on both clinical and operational matters when required, representing the service at internal Trust and hospital-wide meetings
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Current NMC registration as a Registered General Nurse (RGN) or Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) Clear evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
Possession of a Non-medical prescribing qualification. Advanced assessment skills or other postgraduate clinical qualifications.
Experience Essential
Significant experience working with individuals with alcohol and/or drug-related needs across acute, liaison, or community settings. Direct experience in staff supervision, conducting appraisals, and providing clinical support. Proven track record of delivering teaching and developing the clinical confidence of staff. Experience in performance management and working within multi-disciplinary/multi-agency teams
Desirable
Experience working specifically at the interface between hospital and community care Previous experience in quality improvement or service development projects.
Knowledge Essential
Comprehensive understanding of alcohol-related harm, co-occurring mental and physical health needs, safeguarding, and risk assessment Ability to undertake complex clinical assessments and formulate safe, effective care plans Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to maintain professional credibility across various clinical settings Proficiency in IT systems, including word processing and spreadsheet software
Desirable
Knowledge of national policy and quality standards relevant to Alcohol Care Teams (ACT) and assertive outreach. Confidence in using data, audit findings, and quality information to drive practice development.
Personal Essential
A visible and approachable leader with high emotional intelligence and a commitment to equality and diversit High levels of resilience, flexibility, and a positive, service-user-focused attitude.
Desirable
A track record of championing innovation and reflective practice within a team
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).
Employer details Employer name South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address Kings College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London
SE5 8AZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)