Job Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated mental health professional to join our Acute Crisis Response Service as a Band 7 Clinical Lead. This is a key clinical & operation leadership role within the Integrated Crisis Assessment Hub, contributing to highquality crisis care for people experiencing mental health emergencies.
The post is Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, offering a consistent working pattern.
The ICAH Clinical Lead is a senior clinical role within the Mental Health Acute Crisis Response Service, providing operational and clinical leadership across the Integrated Crisis Assessment Hub and associated crisis pathways. The post holder will ensure safe, effective, and timely assessment and intervention for service users experiencing mental health crises, acting as a key gatekeeping function and Single Point of Access.
Working collaboratively with acute mental health services, emergency services, and partner agencies, the Clinical Lead will support patient flow, bed management, crisis diversion, and highquality clinical decisionmaking, in line with Trust values, policies, and national standards.
Main duties of the job
- Provide clinical & Operational leadership and oversight for the Integrated Crisis Assessment Hub (ICAH)
- Act as a senior decisionmaker in crisis assessment, triage, and care planning
- Deliver and oversee telephone triage and emergency diversion from A&E where appropriate
- Support bed management and patient flow across acute services
- Work collaboratively with emergency services, AMHPs, community teams, and inpatient wards
- Offer specialist clinical advice to junior staff and partner services
- Ensure compliance with Trust policies, CQC requirements, and safeguarding frameworks
- Support service performance through audit, KPIs, and quality improvement
- Lead on supervision, training, and development of staff within the service
- Deputise for the service manager as required
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
The post holder will provide daytoday clinical leadership within the Integrated Crisis Assessment Hub, supporting staff delivering crisis assessment, triage, and intervention across multiple access points including selfreferrals, police, LAS, and emergency services.
The Clinical Lead will work autonomously within their professional remit, offering specialist assessment, guidance, and supervision to ensure risk is managed effectively and service users receive appropriate, evidencebased care. The role involves close joint working with inpatient services, community teams, Home Treatment Teams, bed management, and external partners to maintain patient safety and service flow.
The post holder will also contribute to service development, staff training, quality improvement, and clinical governance activities.
Clinical & Operational Responsibilities
- Lead the clinical function of ICAH, ensuring safe and effective crisis assessment and intervention
- Gatekeep referrals to ensure appropriate access to acute and community services
- Take responsibility for trust bed management in collaboration with acute services
- Support emergency diversion pathways and crisis response across partner agencies
- Escalate highrisk or complex cases appropriately
Leadership & Staff Development
- Provide supervision, guidance, and mentorship to junior and developing staff
- Promote a supportive, valuesbased team culture
- Act as a role model for professional practice and leadership
- Lead or contribute to service development projects
Governance & Quality
- Maintain high standards of record keeping and information governance
- Participate in audits, incident management, and complaints investigations
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding, risk management, and infection control
- Support the delivery of key performance indicators and service objectives
Communication & Partnership Working
- Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders including police, LAS, AMHPs, and partner organisations
- Provide clear written and verbal reports
- Engage compassionately with service users, families, and carers, including during challenging situations
Starting with NELFT
NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).
High Cost Area Supplement Outer London
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,870 to a maximum of £6,137 p.a. pro rata for part time).
Working for Us
Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London and Essex. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.
The Trust has award-winning equality and diversity initiatives, along with staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest significantly in your development because when you feel valued and supported, we can deliver the highest quality care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been recognised in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and hold a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Through our staff networks and training opportunities, we strive to foster a just and compassionate culture at NELFT.
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