Lewisham Council has officially insourced its mental health social care services, bringing the majority of mental health social workers under direct council management. The move, announced at the Council meeting on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, aims to improve resident experience and ensure more seamless care.

Previously, these services were managed externally by an unnamed provider. Councillor Samantha Gardiner, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, confirmed the change, stating that mental health social workers are now working within council-managed teams. While remaining based at inpatient units and community health services, this integration is expected to strengthen the council's ability to meet its statutory responsibilities, including close working relationships and partnerships with SLAM.

For residents, the insourcing, which occurred As of this month (September 2026), is anticipated to lead to an improved experience and more timely interventions, with clearer lines of accountability. Councillor Gardiner highlighted that this one-council approach will improve communication and interfaces between mental health social care and other council services, which in the past they might have felt quite separate from one another. The council expects to measure success through improved resident experience and timely interventions, with social care managers overseeing these to enable faster decision-making and improved accountability. Residents will be able to hold the service to account due to clear communication of adult social care duties and functions.

Social workers are also set to benefit from increased support, professional supervision, peer support, and career development pathways. This differs from previous provisions by aiming for improved job satisfaction and more sustainable caseloads. With a larger social work team, you're able to kind of flex to meet the changing demands without feeling overwhelmed, Councillor Gardiner explained.

The integration is expected to enhance the council's ability to meet its statutory responsibilities, as confirmed by Councillor Gardiner in the meeting minutes. The full realization of these benefits for residents is implied to be immediate, given the As of this month timeframe for the insourcing.

Further details on council matters can be found in the Public reports pack 23rd-Sep-2026 19.30 Council.