Perinatal Mental Health Practitioner (Cheshire West)

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting opportunity has occurred to join CWP's Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Team as a Mental Health Practitioner on a 12 month fixed term contract to cover maternity leave. We are seeking individuals with a genuine interest in working with women and families in the perinatal period, who have excellent communication and multi-agency liaison skills and a good knowledge of safeguarding. Experience of working in the Perinatal Mental Health field is desirable but not essential.

We are a friendly, highly committed team who provide multi-disciplinary, specialised care to women in the perinatal period with moderate to severe mental health problems throughout Cheshire and Wirral. We offer excellent training opportunities to our staff and provide robust supervision to support delivery of high quality care. We welcome applications from people who will embrace our team values and commitment to delivering high quality care to the families we work with.

This position is to caseload in the Cheshire West patch of CWP.

Main duties of the job

1. Respond to the needs of new and expectant mothers in a timely manner, with the capacity to deal with crises and emergencies, as well as supporting routine and preventative care; providing specialist care and support through pregnancy, and post-natally, to women experiencing significant mental health difficulties associated with the perinatal period.
2. Co-ordinate a defined caseload of women to promote well-being, mother infant relationships and reduce risk during a vulnerable time for women's mental health.
3. Undertake assessments in a variety of settings with a strong emphasis on risk assessment, robust mental health care planning and safeguarding.
4. Work collaboratively with colleagues in maternity services, health visiting, children's centres and children's services.

About us

CWP provides health and care services for local people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care - including the provision of three GP surgeries.

Our aim is to help people to be the best they can be, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We were recently rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission with a Good rating overall.

We offer a variety of roles at all levels, so whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your skills and experience in a new role, CWP is the right employer for you.

CWP are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences.

To support this, we offer up to three weeks induction, dependent on role, with our Prepare to Care programme for all new starters. This aims to give you all the knowledge and guidance to help you grow and flourish with CWP.

We welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.

Job responsibilities

Please download a copy of the job description for full details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.

CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values and Behaviours in their everyday life. Therefore, if you are invited to interview, you will be undertaking a Values Based Interview/Assessment, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and Behaviours which are the 6 Cs Communication, Competence, Courage, Care, Compassion and Commitment. The supporting information section in your application should therefore reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours. You will be expected to provide us with examples from work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviour.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to diploma/degree level and registered with an appropriate professional body (ie Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Registered General Nurse etc).
• Training to level 3 in Safeguarding Children and Young People: roles and competencies for Health Care Staff or willingness to undertake training.
• Post graduate qualification relevant to specialism.

Knowledge and Expertise

• Specialist knowledge in perinatal mental health or willingness to undertake training.
• Specialist knowledge in attachment and infant mental health or willingness to undertake training.
• An understanding of the NSF and Mental Health Act/ Mental Health Capacity Act requirements.
• CPA Process.
• Able to produce well written reports.
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of professionals from various settings.
• Able to own problems and get involved in the solutions.
• Ability to manage risk.
• Able to plan creatively to maximise effectiveness of care plans.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage own time and that of the team's.
• Ability to work flexibly.
• Ability to be mobile across a geographical area.
• Ability to manage change in a positive manner.
• Aware of community structures and social care options and processes.
• Understanding of recovery principles in Mental Health.

Experience

• Skills and experience in delivering mental health training and education to non-mental health professionals.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment.
• Substantial experience of managing a busy caseload of clients with a range of mental health problems.
• Working within a community mental health setting in either the statutory or voluntary sector.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

£35,392 to £42,618 a year per annum pro rata.