Mental Health Act Services Officer

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring a high level of data and practice quality relating to the Mental Health Act (MHA). This will include monitoring, supporting and undertaking MHA-related work inputted to Carenotes by the MHA Team. The role will support the information Analyst in regular audits on MHA related practice.

The post holder will be responsible for providing training to the MHA team on MHA administrative processes and relevant Trust policies and procedures.

To oversee, lead their team and undertake, on a day to day basis Mental Health Act Administration (Trust-wide), arranging and/or provide cover and support to all MHA offices within the Trust as required.

To support the Practice Development Officer with the provision of training to clinical staff around the Mental Health Act and associated legislation.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will be responsible on a practical, day-to-day basis for the implementation and administration of the Mental Health Act and associated legislation in all MHA offices within Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

In fulfilling these duties they will be expected to provide the necessary effective support to enable the Associate Hospital Managers to carry out their statutory duties under the Act.

To provide advice and guidance to staff, as appropriate to the job role, regarding the application and implementation of the MHA, MCA and associated legislation to help prevent unlawful detention and treatment and to protect the Trust from possible litigation and to ensure that patients are supported in exercising their rights. To seek support from the MHA Services Manager as required.

About us

We're a large mental health service providing services in Hampshire and Sussex.

We want patients and staff to recommend our organisation as a place where they would be happy for their friends and family to be treated.

We're an organisation which is committed to improving patient care. We are always trying to improve. We listen to and learn from feedback. We carry out healthcare research and put it into practice. We develop new ways of providing services in partnership with others and help staff develop through education and training. We also believe it's important to learn from when things go wrong and to encourage staff to speak out about anything they are concerned about.

We encourage flexible working. We know that a positive work/ life balance brings about huge health-related benefits, which has a positive impact on the care we provide. Please speak to us about flexible working, for example, home-working, part time hours, flexible start/ finish times or anything else. If it works for you and works for the role, we'll do our best to make it happen.

Job responsibilities

To provide training to MHA office staff on MHA Administrative processes as outlined within the Staff Responsibilities under the MHA document and other relevant Trust policies and procedures.

To work alongside the MHA Trainer and MCA Officer with the provision of training to clinical staff around the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and associated legislation.

To work alongside the Information Analyst with relevant audits around Mental Health Act administration.

To oversee and support the undertaking of Mental Health Act administration Trust-wide. To ensure that the MHA administration processes as outlined within team procedures and Trust policies and procedures are implemented and adhered to.

To oversee and support accurate data input and practice quality by the MHA team relating to the Mental Health Act (MHA).

To arrange and/or provide cover and support to other MHA offices within the Trust as required to ensure continuity of service.

To support and Deputy MHA Manager with relevant work and projects.

To take an active role in supporting Mental Health Act Services senior team in respect of visits made by the Care Quality Commission.

To take an active role in providing the Mental Health Act Information & Quality Manager with relevant information in respects of visits and responses by the Care Quality Commission.

To attend where necessary the Associate Hospital Managers forum.

To offer advice and guidance on mental health law to all staff groups as well as patients where necessary.

Undertake necessary personal development to ensure up-to-date and continuing knowledge and understanding of legal requirements of MHA and associated legislation, case law and government guidance to help protect the Trust from possible litigation due to non-compliance with legal requirements and statutory guidance.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• A sound educational background with good analytical and communication skills (written and verbal)

Desirable

• Certificate in Mental Health Law (or similar qualification) or significant relevant experience

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

• An in-depth knowledge of the Mental Health Act, associated legislation and guidance and its application in practice.
• Significant experience of working within Mental Health Act Administration (NHS or private setting)
• Experience working with a wide range of different professionals including health and social care senior managers together with those from the voluntary sector
• Effective team-working skills together with an ability to work independently and prioritise own workload without need for continuous supervision
• Effective people and resource management
• Working in Mental Health Act (MHA) administration at an advanced level

Desirable

• Previous NHS experience

Skills

Essential

• Effective communication skills with excellent oral communications and interpersonal skills, including the ability to debate an issue in an appropriate manner to achieve an outcome that is not in breach of legal or local guidelines and policies
• Ability to provide training on MHA and associated legislation as detailed in job description
• The ability to offer advice and guidance that can be readily understood by those with different levels of understanding regarding the requirements of the MHA, MCA and associated legislation to professional/clinical staff and senior management ensuring that they are aware of the implications of their decisions. This may require a persistent approach needing excellent negotiating and persuasive skills. Must be able to cope with queries requiring immediate response to complex legal issues
• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate complex, sensitive or contentious information with tact and diplomacy to staff, patients, relatives and carers
• Ability to understand and interpret statute law, statutory and non-statutory guidance
• High level of accuracy and an eye for detail required in all aspects of job role
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• The ability to work independently under pressure and to prioritise workload to meet legal and local deadlines
• Commitment to on-going training and development relating to mental health and associated legislation ensuring awareness of current case law and its impact on statute
• Ability to demonstrate a sensitive approach and appropriate manner towards service users as well as in dealings with professional staff/colleagues
• Effective skills for overseeing administrative staff work
• Effective staff management skills together with an ability to efficiently carry out staff supervision and appraisal
• Use of computer based systems and programmes - Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and email.
• Willingness to learn to use the Patient Information System and the Mental Health Act IT system
• Knowledge of management information systems clinical and non clinical and ability to use to support the efficient and effective delivery of administrative support services
• Computer literate, including ability to obtain information/guidance from legal databases and government websites, etc.
• Accurate data entry and high quality typing skills
• Must have the ability to travel to other sites within Sussex
• Ability to concentrate on specific activities when under pressure
• Ability to deal with an unpredictable work pattern
• Ability to deal with multiple and conflicting deadlines and demands
• Must have the ability to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances.

Approach/Values

Essential

• Respect and understand the need for confidentiality
• Self- motivated, adaptable and flexible with a conscientious approach to work
• A level of empathy for people with mental health problems and appreciation of their rights
• Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required.
• Can demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Trust

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Swandean, Meadowfield Hospital
Arundel Road
Worthing
BN13 3EF

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

354-CO-21529