Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)

Are you a dedicated Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) looking to make a real difference in the lives of adults experiencing mental health crises? Our Adult Social Care team is seeking experienced and committed professionals to join our supportive and dynamic service to join our specialised daytime stand-alone AMHP Service.

The post is full time, Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week, (consideration will be given to part-time working and can be discussed at interview).

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the Role:

Join our small, supportive, and well-led team of experienced AMHPs, who are dedicated to fulfilling the statutory requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended in 2007) on behalf of Reading Borough Council.

We are looking for a professional with experience working with service users, carers, and families within a crisis intervention model of care. In this role, you will provide timely consultation, advice, and assessments to Reading residents experiencing a mental health crisis.

Key Responsibilities:

• Mental Health Act Assessments: Evaluate requests for Mental Health Act assessments, making independent judgements while considering various external factors.
• Compulsory Admissions & Guardianship Applications: Decide on applications for compulsory hospital admissions (Part 3 or Part 2 of the Act) and guardianship (Section 7 of the Act).
• Assessment Management: Handle the process of Mental Health Act assessments, managing potentially distressing and volatile situations.
• Safeguarding: Ensure compliance with Safeguarding Adults and Children procedures, including making necessary referrals and completing Mental Capacity and/or Best Interests assessments.
• Documentation: Accurately record data related to assessments and interventions using electronic case management systems.
• Compliance & Standards: Operate within statutory requirements, adhering to local, national, and Reading Borough Council policies to deliver a high-quality service.

About You:

• Qualifications: Qualified AMHP with current approval to practice under the Mental Health Act 1983 (2007) and AMHP Regulations 2008.
• Experience: Substantial experience working with the Mental Health Act, with a strong understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, European Convention on Human Rights, and related legislation.
• Skills: Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team, with excellent assessment, risk management, and safeguarding skills.
• Values: Commitment to promoting human rights, dignity, respect, and implementing social models of mental health.

Additional Duties:

If you are a Best Interest Assessor (BIA) could be to fulfil Best Interest Assessments (BIA) when not completing Statutory AMHP duties or other partnership work with communities and our partners.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of TEAM Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is “We all want to live in a place called home, with the people and things we love, in communities we look out for each other, doing the things that matter to us.”

Our Shared Purpose “Supporting the life that matters to you.”

Work Together as One Team:

• Work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
• Drive Efficiency: Show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
• Be Ambitious: Be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
• Make a Difference to Reading: Maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our Offer:

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that, working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

• A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• 25 days holiday plus public holidays (rising to 33 after 10 years’ service)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work.
• A range of local discounts
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing, and road tax.

For a discussion about the role please contact Valbona Demiri - AMHP Manager on 07739 823 136 or Valbona.Demiri@reading.gov.uk