Skip to main content

This job has expired

AMHP Practitioner - Mental Health Team

Employer
Essex County Council
Location
England, Essex, Chelmsford
Salary
£33300 - £41425 per annum
Closing date
27 Aug 2019

View more

This is a permanent part time 22.5 hours a week position.

Job Purpose

ECC Adult Social Care, through effective practice, is moving towards a transformational shift from a focus on long-term care support, to a model with four key principles:- prevention; early intervention; enablement and safeguarding.

This will enable people, their families and carers to access information and tools, live healthily and independently and for our function an opportunity to respond pro-actively to growing service demand in a sustainable way, within the financial constraints of the Council.

The Approved Mental Health Practitioner Service has a unique position in ensuring compliance with the statutory functions imposed upon the Local Authority by the Mental Health Act. As the service has recently returned to the management of ECC you will be part of a fast paced, evolving and supportive team. The service is responsible for undertaking the AMHP rota meeting the needs of the population of Essex and assessing people during periods of crisis in their lives. The successful candidate may be required to work beyond normal operating hours in accordance with the demands of the service but in return you will have flexibility built in to your working week. The role requires education to degree level with current HCPC registration and the ability to demonstrate practice in accordance with professional standards.

Service/Functional Accountabilities
  • Responsible for carrying out, coordinating and managing the process of Mental Health Act assessments, consistent with legal and statutory obligations working flexibly and at times outside the core operating hours of the team in accordance with demand.
  • Develop alternative plans to admission as required that gain commitment to solutions that drive the care required for each individual's needs.
  • Accountable for working within the statutory legal framework, policy and guidance in line with legislative and organisational standards within the Care Act 2015 (e.g. MCA / DoLs / CHC/ MHA1983 AMHP regulations and associated codes etc).
  • Work collaboratively building effective relationships with internal and external partnerships and stakeholders and the voluntary sector to undertake Mental Health Act assessments offering a counter social perspective to the medical views of mental disorder. Accountable for conducting assessments and plan responses to safeguard vulnerable adults include intervention as required.
  • Triage referrals offering guidance, support and redirection if appropriate and within the spirit of the mental health act.
  • Work with the Team Manager in the formulation of policies and procedures to ensure the smooth running of the service.
  • Work with families, communities and individuals to support people with complex mental health needs supporting the Council's wider strategic aims.
  • Attends meetings, reviews, case conferences and court hearings to provide information, insight and evidence, providing reports where appropriate.
  • Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience


  • Educated to degree level (i.e. Diploma or degree in social work, CQSW, CSS) or equivalent and a qualified Approved Mental Health Practitioner.
  • Evidence of continuing professional development and demonstrable capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards e.g. professional capability framework, knowledge and skills statement. Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a registered social worker.
  • Knowledge of relevant legislation including~: Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) and its interface with the Mental Capacity Act 2005, Care Act 2014, Human Rights Act 1998 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Case law and relevant codes of practice. The ability to interpret this legislation and apply it to practice while adhering to the Local Authority's statutory responsibilities
  • Experience within a social care setting with evidence of challenging social and family situations.
  • Strong communication skills and an ability to develop a rapport and engage with diverse groups of individuals.
  • Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for children and vulnerable adults.
  • Understand the financial implications of care packages commissioned.
  • Evidence of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.

If you have any queries regarding this role, or require anything further, please contact the Resourcing Team on 0333 013 5888.


Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalised job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert