Social Work and AMHP jobs

Mental health social workers bring a rights-based, whole-person perspective to community mental health teams, crisis services, early intervention, forensic and secure services, and hospital discharge. Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) coordinate Mental Health Act assessments and make applications for detention where needed. It is a critical statutory role, and councils and trusts compete hard to recruit for it.

Browse roles with local authorities, NHS mental health trusts, secure hospitals and independent providers, including permanent, locum and AMHP rota posts.

What you need: registration with Social Work England (or SSSC, Social Care Wales or NISCC in the other nations). AMHP roles require completion of an approved AMHP programme and approval (warrant) by a local social services authority. Nurses, OTs and psychologists can also train as AMHPs.

Pay: it depends on the employer. Council posts follow local pay scales, often with an AMHP allowance. NHS-employed social workers are commonly Band 6 or 7.

The Mental Health Act 2025 will reshape AMHP practice, with the first major phase of reform due in 2027 (Kennedys Law).