Alcohol Assertive Outreach - Lead Clinician

Job overview

The Alcohol Assertive Outreach Team a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team that provides intensive, relationship-based support to individuals who frequently attend hospital due to alcohol-related issues. The service aims to reduce avoidable hospital use and improve long-term outcomes by delivering compassionate, personalised, community-based care.

Following the success of the AAOT in Lambeth and Southwark, the team is now expanding across all South East London boroughs, including Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich. This role will play a pivotal part in supporting that expansion while delivering direct clinical care and leadership.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a Registered Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Social Worker to contribute to an innovative model of care. You will work closely with acute hospital Alcohol Care Teams, Liaison Psychiatry, community mental health, and substance misuse services across the region.

Main duties of the job

• Provide clinical leadership within the AAOT, promoting safe, effective, trauma-informed care.
• Hold a small caseload of high-need individuals, carrying out assessments, risk management, care planning, and reviews.
• Provide day-to-day line management and supervision for a small team of clinicians.
• Support the recruitment, development, and supervision of team members and volunteers.
• Build effective partnerships across acute, community, and voluntary services to support joined-up care.
• Contribute to the strategic development and regional expansion of the AAOT model.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to audit, evaluation, and service improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with Trust clinical governance frameworks and national best practice standards.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Governance

Deliver and model high-quality, person-centred care in line with best practice and Trust policies.

Contribute to clinical governance, risk management, and quality improvement activities.

Promote a culture of excellence, safety, and continuous learning.

Case Management

Hold a caseload of approximately 5–10 individuals with high levels of need.

Carry out comprehensive assessments, develop care plans, and regularly review progress.

Complete robust risk assessments and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with policy.

Team Supervision & Development

Line manage and support a small number of clinical staff.

Ensure the delivery of regular managerial and clinical supervision, annual appraisals, and ongoing professional development.

Promote a positive, compassionate, and resilient team culture.

Partnership & Systems Working

Collaborate with Alcohol Care Teams, Liaison Psychiatry, Community Mental Health Teams, and other stakeholders.

Build links with acute and community services to ensure timely referrals and coordinated care.

Work flexibly across the region, maintaining visibility in relevant meetings and forums.

Service Development & Expansion

Support the expansion of the AAOT model across Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich.

Contribute to strategy and planning with the Clinical Service Lead and partners.

Promote innovation and responsiveness to local need, including linking with broader mental health initiatives.

Data, Evaluation, and Quality

Ensure clinical documentation is accurate, timely, and maintained on the electronic patient record system

Participate in data collection, audits, and research to evidence service impact and inform future development.

Monitor performance against Trust KPIs and contribute to ongoing service evaluation.

Communications and Working Relationships

You will work collaboratively and proactively with:

AAOT patients and their carers (daily)

AAOT colleagues and volunteers (daily)

Alcohol Care Teams, Psychiatric Liaison Nurses (daily)

Community substance use and mental health services (weekly/as needed)

Acute hospital teams across South East London (as required)

Local authority and third-sector partners (as needed)

Clinical Service Lead and line manager (weekly)