Mental Health Practitioner

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; London; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000

Job description

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

About

Dorset HealthCare is responsible for all mental health services and many physical health services in Dorset, delivering both hospital and community-based care. We are the biggest provider of healthcare in Dorset, and our services continually evolve and develop to meet the needs of the local community.

We serve a population of almost 800,000 people and employ around 7,000 staff, covering a wide range of expertise and specialisms. Our staff provide healthcare at over 300 sites, ranging from village halls and GP surgeries to mental health inpatient hospitals and community hospitals - as well as in people's homes.

Dorset HealthCare's services include:

• Dorset's 12 community hospitals and minor injuries units
• Adult and children's community health services (physical and mental)
• Specialist learning disability services
• Community brain injury services

Our community health services encompass: district nurses, health visitors, school nursing, end of life care, sexual health promotion, safeguarding children, diabetes education, audiology, speech and language therapy, dermatology, podiatry, orthopaedic services, wheelchair services, anti-coagulation services, pulmonary rehab, early discharge stroke services, Parkinsons care, community oncology and breastfeeding support services.

Our annual income is around £253 million.

We have University Trust status and work collaboratively with Bournemouth University to provide benefits for patients and staff. Our University Trust status supports us in providing innovative care, promoting clinical excellence, and attracting and retaining high-quality staff. The Trust also has active relationships with Southampton University and St Loyes.

Key details

Location

Site: Kings Park Hospital
Address: Gloucester Road
Town: Boscombe
Postcode: BH7 6JF
Major / Minor Region: Dorset

Contract type & working pattern

Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday)

Salary

Salary: £37,338 - £44,962 p.a.
Salary period: Yearly
Grade: Band 6

Specialty

Main area: Criminal Justice Liaison & Diversion Service

Job overview

Are you seeking an exciting community role supporting people leaving prison with their health care needs?

The Criminal Justice Liaison & Diversion Service has a vacancy for a Mental Health Practitioner in its developing Reconnect Service.

The Reconnect Service is a care after custody service which aims to increase the access and uptake of community healthcare or relevant support services for individuals who have significant health needs upon release from HMP Guys Marsh, Portland and HMP The Verne and ensure safe transition to community-based healthcare.

The Reconnect service supports individuals with a varied range of health vulnerabilities and risk, including mental health, learning disability, substance misuse, and those that are end of licence or may require continued supervision in the community under Dorset Probation.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced/Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

Applications from candidates that require visa sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Advert

Working closely with prison colleagues from Custody Health Care, the Offender Management Unit and the Resettlement Team, you will attend prison discharge meetings, carry out comprehensive assessments both within the prison and the community to identify the needs of the individual and plan the care of those being released. You will also be working with a range of health, social and forensic services in the community such as Dorset Probation and the local authority to identify and assess individuals post release, or those that may be returning to Dorset but released from a prison in another county.

Support Workers work with clients for up to 6 months, building a trusting therapeutic relationship to support their transition from prison to community health care and encourage engagement with services. You will work closely with the Support Workers to plan continuity of care and carry out caseload supervision.

If you are self-motivated, able to work autonomously and show plenty of initiative when it comes to handling a wide range of situations, then this could be the right role for you in a service that you can help shape. As this is a role in an ever-developing environment we highly suggest you contact the service before applying.

Working for our organisation

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

What working for us will provide:

• 27 days of annual leave, rising to 33 over ten years (for staff on Agenda for Change terms and conditions)
• Excellent NHS pension scheme
• Health and wellbeing services
• Flexible working options, including family-friendly hours
• Free training and one-to-one career coaching to reach your career goals
• Preceptorship programme for newly qualified nurses and AHPs
• Access to nine staff networks – have a voice and transform our Trust
• Relocation costs where applicable
• Salary sacrifice scheme opportunities – including childcare vouchers, car lease and cycle scheme, home technology equipment, and buying annual leave
• NHS discounts to save on your shopping, gym membership and more

Visit our careers website for more information.

Before applying for this post, please do ensure that you have read the job description and person specification requirements. If you think you have everything we're looking for, then we'd love to hear from you, alternatively if you would like more information about the role please do not hesitate to contact us.

Regrettably, we are not able to offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you attempt to apply for a role that we do not offer sponsorship for, you will receive notification of this at the time of starting your application and you will not be able to proceed. At this point, we wish to thank you for your interest in working for us and apologise we cannot take your application any further.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Person specification

Knowledge Skills and Training

Essential criteria

• A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent in either Mental Health nursing, Occupational Therapy or Social Work

Job Specific Experience

Essential criteria

• 2 years post registration experience

Knowledge Skills and Training

Essential criteria

• Ability to manage multiple referrals, screen, triage and assess according to need

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential criteria

• To be able to function as part of multi-disciplinary team and liaise with external agencies

Job Specific Experience

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a criminal justice setting

Managerial/Supervisory Experience

Desirable criteria

• Experience of mentoring and clinical supervision of others

Documents

• Reconnect Practitioner Job Description and Person Spec (PDF)
• Staff Benefits Leaflet (PDF)
• Applications Recruitment Flowchart (PDF)
• Guidance on Verification of ID (PDF)
• Pay scales from 1 April 2024 (PDF)
• DBS Information (PDF)

Further details / informal visits contact

Name: Cameron Rankin
Job title: Reconnect Lead
Email address: [email protected]
Telephone number: 07917 272 375