Guidance to support mental health social workers and AMHPs

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 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:

• advising on how to successfully employ and support social workers in a variety of partnerships
• helping the NHS to embed social workers as a key staff group and support registered social workers already employed in generic teams
• identifying the actions on leadership, engagement and workforce that strengthen social work’s role in mental health care.

Who it's for

• 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.

Key messages

• Social workers are an essential part of the workforce in health and social care for both adults and children. The profession is recognised for its distinct values and the transformative, relational and rights-based principles and practice that it brings to work with communities, families and individuals.
• Social workers and AMHPs employed in NHS services need effective support, supervision and progression as a regulated profession to achieve their full impact.

Impact on those receiving services

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.

Related resources

• Guidance action list by groups
• Slide deck HR leads
• Slide deck LAs working in integrated partnerships
• Slide deck professional leads
• Slide deck team leaders

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