Social Worker - Mental Health & Complex Needs

Are you a qualified Social Worker with experience or a strong interest in mental health, trauma and complex needs?

KPMS is looking for a passionate, skilled and reflective In-House Social Worker to join our dedicated team. This role will have a key focus on supporting Camden’s in-borough commissioned mental health service for young people aged 16+, helping to ensure that placements are safe, stable, well-planned and responsive to the needs of young people with complex mental health presentations.

We are particularly interested in applicants who have experience working with young people experiencing in supporting young people with mental health difficulties.

About us

Since 2006, KPMS has been providing services that help children and young people overcome adversity and build brighter, safer futures. We specialise in supporting young people with complex needs, with a strong focus on risk management, emotional wellbeing, independence, and long-term stability.

We believe that children and young people have a better chance of success when they are supported to develop the skills, confidence and resources needed to navigate the next stages of their lives. We aim to provide high-quality care and support in environments that are nurturing, understanding, structured and safe.

About the service

This role will support KPMS’s Camden in-borough commissioned mental health service for young people aged 16+. The service provides support for young people with complex mental health needs, with a focus on safety, emotional wellbeing, independence, community engagement and long-term stability.

Young people may have experienced trauma, disrupted relationships, or challenges linked to mental health and social care needs. The service aims to provide a consistent, trauma-informed and relationship-based approach that helps young people feel safe, understood and supported while developing the skills needed for adulthood.

About the role

As an In-House Social Worker at KPMS, you will be at the heart of our work with young people who may have complex mental health needs, trauma histories, emotional and behavioural difficulties or significant safeguarding risks.

From the point of referral, you will support the assessment and planning process to help ensure that placements are appropriate, safe and tailored to individual need. You will lead on case management, contribute to robust risk assessments, shape support plans and work closely with local authorities, statutory bodies, health professionals, families and internal teams.

A key part of the role will be bringing a strong social work and mental health-informed perspective to practice within the service. You will help the wider team understand young people’s needs, risks, strengths and protective factors, ensuring that support is thoughtful, consistent and focused on positive outcomes.

You will also build meaningful relationships with young people, advocate for their needs and help create an environment where they feel safe, listened to, supported and able to grow in confidence and independence.

Key responsibilities

The role will include:

• Supporting referral assessments and placement planning for young people with complex mental health needs.
• Leading case management activity and ensuring that plans are clear, current and outcome-focused.
• Contributing to risk assessments, support plans, placement plans and professional reports.
• Applying a trauma-informed and mental health-informed approach to understanding young people’s behaviour, needs and risks.
• Working in partnership with local authorities, social workers, CAMHS, adult mental health services, health professionals, education providers and other statutory or voluntary agencies.
• Supporting internal teams to understand and respond to young people’s mental health, emotional wellbeing, safeguarding and risk management needs.
• Advocating for young people and ensuring their views, wishes and feelings are reflected in planning and decision-making.
• Supporting young people to move towards greater stability, independence, emotional resilience and community inclusion.
• Maintaining professional, accurate and timely records.
• Promoting safeguarding and helping to ensure that concerns are identified, escalated and responded to appropriately.

Candidate profile

The ideal candidate will be a qualified Social Worker who is confident, organised, reflective and committed to achieving positive outcomes for young people.

You will have strong communication skills, good attention to detail and the ability to work professionally and confidentially with sensitive information. You will also be able to balance empathy and relationship-building with clear boundaries, professional judgement and strong safeguarding practice.

We are looking for someone who can bring curiosity, emotional resilience and a mental health-informed approach to the role. You should be confident working with young people aged 16+ who may present with distress, trauma responses, self-harm, emotional dysregulation, exploitation risks, missing episodes, offending behaviour or difficulties engaging with support.

Education and experience

Applicants must have:

• A Social Work degree or equivalent qualification.
• Current Social Work England registration.
• Experience working with children, young people or young adults.
• Experience or strong knowledge of mental health, trauma, emotional wellbeing or complex needs.
• Strong written communication skills, including report writing and case recording.
• A good understanding of safeguarding, risk management and multi-agency working.

Desirable experience

We would particularly welcome applications from candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Children and adolescent mental health.
• CAMHS or adult mental health services.
• Statutory children’s services, looked-after children, leaving care, residential care or supported accommodation

Salary, location and benefits

Salary: £35,000 to £42,000 per annum, depending on experience
Location: Services in Camden, Head Office in Stratford 
Hours: Full time, sociable hours with no weekend or shift work

Benefits include:

• Increased annual leave after 2 years of continuous service.
• Option to exchange annual leave
• £2,000 retention payment after 18 months.
• Protected report-writing time.
• Investment in professional learning and development.
• Wellness days.
• Clear salary bands with objective targets for progression.
• A key role in supporting Camden’s in-borough commissioned mental health provision for young people aged 16+.

To apply

Please apply via this advert or email info @ kpmsuk. com