Job summary
Join a close-knit, supportive team making a real difference in the lives of people recovering from eating disorders.
North London Foundation Trust is looking for a Band 4 Associate Mental Health Worker to join our specialist Eating Disorders Day Programme team, based at St Ann’s Hospital. Our specialist service delivers inpatient, outpatient and day programme care across a large area of London — and our day programme team is at the heart of it, working closely together to support patients on their recovery journey.
As part of a small, tight-knit team, you’ll get to know your patients and colleagues well. You’ll provide hands-on care and treatment to patients working towards recovery from an eating disorder, supporting both their physical and mental health needs, and playing a genuine role in their progress.
This is a fantastic opportunity to build your skills and specialist knowledge alongside a passionate, experienced multidisciplinary team who are active in research, education and training. Specialist training, professional development, and ongoing learning and teaching opportunities are built into the role from day one — because we invest in our team as much as we invest in our patients.
If you’re looking for meaningful work within a team that truly supports one another, we’d love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
The day programme is a recovery focused service offering a full-time intensive group programme. Your role will include holding a caseload of patients with diverse and complex needs, planning and facilitating therapeutic groups for patients as part of the programme and working with the day programme multi-disciplinary team to support the physical health management of patients on the programme, including physical monitoring and supported meals.
Successful candidates will have strong engagement and motivation skills, excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, strong self-management skills and the ability to work effectively in a team. We are looking for a dynamic individual who approaches challenges with creativity and enthusiasm and has a passion for helping individuals make life changing steps towards recovery and management of their eating disorder.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 4 in care or equivalent OR Two years (minimum) working experience in a mental health setting
Desirable
- Degree qualification in relevant area
- Education in relevant areas healthcare, eating disorders, other MH conditions, treatment approaches
Knowledge
Essential
- A working knowledge of mental health problems such as eating disorders, anxiety, depression and personality disorders
- Experience and/or knowledge of therapeutic group work in a mental health setting
- Awareness of treatment outcomes, recovery tools, care planning, assessment of risk
Desirable
- Knowledge of a range of eating disorders and evidence-based treatments
- Knowledge of basic physical health monitoring and required interventions
- Understanding of clinical supervision
- Have an understanding of equal opportunities, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice.
Experience
Essential
- Experience working in a health or social care setting
- Experience of group facilitation in mental health
Desirable
- Experience of working with persons with an eating disorder and or other mental health conditions.
- Experience in managing a caseload of patients with diverse and complex needs
- Ability to develop effective links with external agencies.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to manage a caseload of patients with diverse and complex needs
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong self-management skills and effective team working
- Post holder must be computer literate.
- Group facilitation skills, including effectively planning and implementing therapeutic groups
Desirable
- Able to use basic diagnostic machinery i.e. vital sings machine, blood glucose monitor, for physical health monitoring and interventions.
- Able to work under pressure while remaining calm and maintaining quality of care.
- Ability to maintain boundaries and form positive Application form/ Interview therapeutic relationship with service users and carers.
Personal Attributes / Work Related circumstances
Essential
- Has a flexible and creative approach to problem solving
- Ability to travel across a geographical area and various locations within the trust.
Desirable
- Committed to equal opportunities
- Is able to work using a non-judgmental manner
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.
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).
Closing Date: 19 October 2026
