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This refreshed version of the guidance (originally published by Health Education England in 2021) has been updated in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care and in consultation with a range of stakeholders.
The document outlines eight organisational requirements for effective support of the social work profession in mental health services wherever they may work. It supports and enhances the role of social work in health and care organisations by:
NHS professional and clinical leads
Professional bodies and regulators
Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) leads
Chairs of NHS Boards
Workforce leads
System and transformation leads
Mental health commissioners
People Boards
Integrated Care Systems
Social work in other roles and settings.
This guidance should encourage the NHS to directly employ more mental health social workers. Having mental health social workers as part of the multi-disciplinary team offers patients better, more holistic care and a rights-based perspective, which is truly person-centred. They emphasise preventive care and independence for people who need care and support. Their skills are essential to meet the requirements of the NHS Long Term Plan.
A range of useful materials to help implementation of the guidance including links to short films and targeted slide sets.
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