Care Coordinator

NHS; Croydon; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider is seeking a Care Coordinator in Croydon to manage a caseload of individuals with complex mental health needs. The role involves formulating care plans, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, and supporting junior staff. Applicants should have relevant qualifications in Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, or Occupational Therapy and experience in community mental health services. The role offers a competitive salary of £44,485 to £52,521 per year with various benefits.

Benefits

Comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package

Work-life balance and flexible working options

Career development opportunities

NHS discounts at various retailers

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people experiencing severe and enduring illness.
• Ability to advocate for service users with mental health problems.
• Knowledge of CPA, Mental Health Act, and other relevant legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead junior staff in delivering quality nursing care.
• Formulate robust care plans with service users.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement care reviews.

Skills

Communication skills

Self-management

Dynamic risk assessment

Empathy

Education

Relevant professional qualification in Mental Health Nursing, Social Work or Occupational Therapy

Qualification/training in relevant psychosocial intervention

Job description

Overview

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust – Care Coordinator

The closing date is 30 September 2025

Croydon has undertaken a service transformation within its community mental health services. The transformation aims to enhance quality service delivery, improve experiences of service users, and boost staff morale in line with the NHS Long Term Plan. The Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) is a generic team integrated with Croydon Social Care, working with all adults experiencing severe and enduring mental illness.

We are looking for enthusiastic care coordinators who will grow and develop with the locality teams from Nursing, Social Work and Occupational Therapy. Social Workers will be offered a contract to work under South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. This advert is for vacancies in the SOUTH LOCALITY TEAM.

The post holder will work as a Care Coordinator for a caseload of service users in the local community who have complex mental health difficulties, and work with their carers where applicable. The post holder will be expected to have excellent self-management skills, and to work collaboratively within the team. The post holder must be able to formulate flexible, robust and holistic care plans with service users and/or carers, to work well under pressure, be experienced in dynamic risk assessment, and have excellent communication skills.

Main duties of the job

Croydon Community Mental Health Service (CMHT) has undergone service transformation to enhance the quality of service delivery, improve user experiences, maintain staff morale and ensure services align with the NHS Long Term Plan. The new teams will no longer be based on diagnosis and will work with all individuals from a locality who have mental health needs requiring secondary care. Croydon CMHT has three localities: NORTH, CENTRAL and SOUTH. Locality teams are highly experienced, supportive and multidisciplinary.

In keeping with obligations under the Covid-19 regulations (2021) in relation to Care Home visits, the successful candidate will be required to provide evidence of full vaccination status against Covid-19.

About us

• Comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package which is dependent on the role and length of service.
• Work life balance, flexible working and support for flexible options such as part-time working and job sharing.
• Career development, opportunities to progress with mentoring, coaching, leadership programmes and other development initiatives.
• Car lease, staff benefits for car leasing.
• Accommodation, keyworker housing available on selected sites.
• NHS discounts, up to 10% at various retailers via Health Service Discounts.
• We offer career pathways to Senior Clinical Practitioner or Clinical Team Leader, ongoing training and development including Leadership and MSc programmes.

Job responsibilities

1. Work autonomously within the role to lead and support junior staff and the wider care team in delivering quality nursing care, addressing physical, psychological, social, recreational and spiritual needs in a recovery-focused approach. 2. Ensure fundamentals of care are met (nutrition, hydration, hygiene, comfort, emotional and social support); coordinate and evaluate patient-centered care; gather feedback to improve plans with the multidisciplinary team. Provide accessible information to patients and carers; liaise with the MDT and partner organisations; administer and monitor medications; ensure safe custody of medicines and clinical equipment; report incidents per Trust policy. 3. Lead and support/teach junior staff on risk assessment and risk management, making decisions based on evidence, the individual service user’s context and clinical judgment. 4. Support and supervise junior staff to develop care management. 5. Produce reports and in-care reviews; coordinate junior staff to provide hands-on care and evaluate care processes; conduct 1-1 engagement with service users; develop care plans with service users, MDT and family/carers. 6. Escort service users as required per Trust policies. 7. Advocate for service users and promote respect for equality and diversity. 8. Demonstrate understanding of mental health signs and symptoms and how they present in practice; teach juniors to respond appropriately. 9. Recognise and respond to challenging behaviour per Trust policies; lead de-escalation and staff debriefing. 10. Maintain and develop care plans and documentation; ensure information is communicated effectively to patients, carers and colleagues. 11. Communicate clearly with patients, carers and staff; support difficult conversations with cultural sensitivity and professional boundaries. 12. Maintain accurate records; report significant changes in service users’ physical or mental state or safety incidents promptly. 13. Contribute to safeguarding and risk assessment processes; support juniors to respond to safeguarding concerns. 14. Maintain confidential information in line with Trust policies. 15. Report safety or security concerns promptly. 16. Understand and contribute to safeguarding policies for children, young people and vulnerable adults. 17. Maintain infection control standards and a clean environment; contribute to audits and governance activities. 18. Support team-based responsibilities, participate in meetings, and promote evidence-based practice aligned with Trust values. 19. Lead reflective practice and staff training; supervise and support clinical placements. 20. Support band 5 nurses in leading Care Certificate attainment for healthcare support workers where applicable. 21. Engage in mandatory training and CPD; support team governance reviews and dissemination of information. 22. Contribute to education and development programmes for staff and clinical placements. 23. Support Band 5 nurses in coordinating Care Certificates and reasonable adjustments as needed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification in Mental Health Nursing, Social Work or Occupational Therapy with affiliated professional registration (NMC or HCPC)
• Relevant continuous in-house or external training
• Qualification/training in relevant psychosocial intervention

Experience

• Experience of working with people experiencing severe and enduring illness
• Experience of working in the community
• Experience of supporting practice development in clinical areas

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of CPA, Community Care Act, Carers Act, Mental Health Act and other relevant legislation as applicable to practice
• Strong understanding of care planning and holistic care
• Knowledge of clinical governance and audit

Other requirements

• Empathy for service users including those who have experienced mental health problems
• Ability to fulfil all role requirements (including physical)
• Loyal and able to advocate for and demonstrate the values of trust

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; a submission for Disclosure to the DBS will be required to check for any previous convictions.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

£44,485 to £52,521 per year inclusive of High Cost Allowances