Senior CAMHS HTT Mental Health Practitioner

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We have been working together in a Partnership between Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust for some time, with a single Chair and Chief Executive since 2021 and single Executive Team since 2022. We launched our North London Mental Health Partnership Strategy in May 2023 and in July 2023 our Boards agreed that coming together to create one new Trust is best for our service users, our staff and our local communities. Subject to final approvals, we will be formally established as one new Trust on 1 October 2024.

Our new trust website is: Home | North London Mental Health Partnership

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the North Central London CAMHS Home Treatment Team (NCL HTT) as a Senior Mental Health Practitioner. This is role is suitable for someone who is passionate about providing high quality mental health care to support young people and their families in times of crisis, who has established and accredited skills, post -registration, and who is able to adapt to crisis situations as and when they arise. The successful candidate will be expected to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and will also need to be skilled at multi-agency working.

The NCL Home Treatment Team is a new service delivering high quality co-ordinated care to young people aged 13 up to 18th birthday and their families in mental health crisis across the London Boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington. The service provides 12 weeks of intensive evidence-based support to prevent admission or facilitate safe early discharge from Tier 4 inpatient units. The team works in close collaboration with CAMHS Assertive Outreach Teams, Tier 4 inpatient units, local authorities, and emergency services. The post holder will work shifts to cover the service hours - 09:00-20:00 weekdays and 12pm-8pm weekends. The role primarily entails providing therapeutic assessments and brief interventions to children, young people and their families referred to the service.

Main duties of the job
• The post-holder will be expected to deliver flexible, high-frequency, evidence based crisis interventions such as ongoing mental health assessments, risk assessments, safety planning and problem solving in a collaborative fashion.
• Provide a clear, evidence based clinical perspective within the multi-disciplinary team and to referring agencies and external professionals.
• Be able to provide clinical consultation and liaison when appropriate and establish working clinical formulation through regular Multi-Disciplinary Team discussions.
• Help to deliver a service specialising in the care and treatment of children and young people with a range of complex mental health problems and disorders, requiring a crisis response and a period of safe stabilisation out in the community.
• Assess, plan, deliver and evaluate the provision of specialist child mental health interventions across a range of care provision to meet the needs of individuals, groups of individuals and families requiring intensive Home Treatment support.
• To focus on providing evidence based psychological interventions to young people who are suffering from serious mental illness, via a range of venues.
• Conduct appropriate specialist assessments of children, young people and their families/carers, evaluating the results and offering a range of therapeutic interventions as appropriate to the presenting clinical need.

Working for our organisation

Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust provides local, regional and national award-winning healthcare services. We have more than 3.300 staff working out of 20 main sites serving a population of 1.2 million people. We provide community health services and mental health services for young people, adults and older people. Our North London Forensic Service treats and cares for people in the criminal justice system who have mental health conditions. We also provide one of the largest eating disorders services in England, as well as drug and alcohol services.

We are an organisation that is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion; one that prides itself in developing the leadership capabilities of its employees, looking after their health and wellbeing, creating safe spaces for staff to speak up and providing opportunities to mentor and be mentored. Our employees are the reason for delivering Good CQC ratings, excellent outcomes and outstanding patient experiences, so it is our aim to create a happy and healthy working environment where you can thrive and succeed.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Relationships:
• Demonstrate respect for all team members, maximising potential through the diverse roles within the team.
• Attend team meetings as required and to attend meetings outside the team on occasions.
• Liaison with other teams and services to ensure that quality and timely services are delivered.
• Work closely with other team members to ensure that care is delivered to the highest standards.
• Maintain appropriate client confidentiality at all times, with reference to information sharing agreements using CPA and public protection principles.
• Communicate clearly and concisely in both written and verbal forms, taking into account the ethical, professional and legal aspects of documentation. Document all aspects of care, including care provision and communication with relevant others.
• Use appropriate methods of communication for addressing client, staff and management issues.
• Provide information, education and support to family members, carers and other professionals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Following input from the emergency liaison team, to assess and manage clinical situations during psychiatric crisis in order to ensure safe and effective care and risk management.
• Offer structured, evidence based individual therapeutic work to young people experiencing serious mental illness, and to their families.
• Support and empower children and young people, their families/carers to influence and participate in decisions concerning their care by providing information on a range of specialist child mental health issues and services.
• Facilitate health promotion in relation to identified child and family mental health needs of children, young people and their families/carers.
• With other senior professionals, take an active role in ensuring the development of evidence based therapeutic interventions and care pathways.
• Ensure that risk assessments and collaborative safety plans are regularly reviewed and routinely carried out.
• To be competent in identifying Safeguarding concerns and make appropriate referrals to social services and attend meetings, and when required consult with Safeguarding Leads
• To have the interpersonal skills necessary to develop a therapeutic alliance with emotionally and psychologically distressed young people and their families, enabling the client to accept responsibility for their personal well-being appropriate to their level of cognitive functioning.
• Work with young people and families with complex needs, in a variety of different settings, using an appropriate range of evidence based approaches.
• The post holder will be required to work closely with families / carers and young people in the community.
• The post holder will also be required to offer evidence based individual work with young people experiencing extreme psychological distress.
• Act in accordance with agreed policies and procedures independently and autonomously within a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency context, especially Safe-guarding procedures.
• In liaison with the clinical lead, explore, implement and lead strategies for quality assurance and audit to contribute to effective systems of clinical governance, in order to contribute to service development.
• To support the multidisciplinary team in developing services that are sensitive to the individual needs of users and carers considering issues of race, gender, sexuality, age, culture and religion.
• To promote a values based service which meets the needs of service users.
• Provide a service, which is in line with the team Operational Policy.
• Contribute to the education of other staff and students.
• Manage time and resources effectively.
• Demonstrate respective for all team members, maximising potential through the diverse roles within the team.
• Attend team meetings as required.
• Participate in supervision on a regular and formal basis.
• Liaise with other teams and services to ensure that qualify and timely services are delivered.
• Proactively address areas of concern and report any areas of concern to the Team or Service Lead
• Work within the Operational Policy for the Home Treatment Team.
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of other relevant Crisis and Emergency Services.
• Act as a professional role model to students and staff at all times.
• Participate in the recruitment of staff.
• Participate in supervision, as per Trust policy, on a regular and formal basis.
• Provide Supervision for Junior Staff.
• Participate in the Professional Development of Junior Staff.
• Manage time and resources effectively within available constraint.

Clinical Responsibility
• Participate in the assessment of clients who are appropriate to be seen by the team and undertake the development and implementation of treatment plans, working within the agreed supervision arrangements within the team.
• Continually review and assess clients' needs and to seek supervision and guidance as appropriate.
• Provide information, education and support to family members, carers and other professionals.
• Maintain a diary of people visited and complete appropriate returns.
• Maintain and develop expertise in the acute care of people with a serious mental health problem, including the management of people at risk of suicide.
• Provide profession-specific interventions relevant to the needs of service users.
• Work closely with other team members to ensure that care is delivered to the highest possible standards.
• Develop and document Care Plans for individual clients, their family and carers, ensuring that the service user, and where appropriate, carer has an up to date copy of their Care Plan.
• Actively seek to improve own practice by seeking new and innovative ideas for the delivery of care.
• Contribute to the education of clients, staff and student through ensuring practice that:

a) Seeks to identify current needs and expectations through collaboration with the client and where appropriate that it incorporates family and carers in the planning and implementation of care.

b) Commences individual care planning (including discharge planning) during initial entry and assessment phase and clearly documents interventions and plans.

c) Considers the biological, psychological, occupational, spiritual and social needs of care and provides the client and their carers with adequate feedback appropriate information regarding care.

d) Provide appropriate information to other team members of the multi disciplinary team and relevant care providers to ensure that the Care Plan established for the client continues when others provide care.

Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility
• Work with and deputise for the Team Lead as and when required. Contribute to the education of other staff and students.
• Participate in supervision on a regular and formal basis.
• Act as a professional role model to students and staff at all times. Participate in the recruitment of staff.
• Participate in supervision, as per Trust policy, on a regular and formal basis.
• Provide Supervision for Junior Staff.
• Participate in the Professional Development of Junior Staff.

Financial Responsibility

To ensure resources and equipment are purchased in line with the trust guidance and within the teams allocated budget - via the Team Leader or as delegated.

Service Development and Improvement
• Participating in audit and research.
• Contribute to the development work of the service working in partnership with local community organisations and groups, as appropriate to the service and needs of the service users.
• Actively seek to improve own practice by seeking new and innovative ideas for the deliver of care.
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of other relevant Crisis and Emergency Services.
• Expected to take a lead role in the development of the Home Treatment Team including the formulation of protocols.
• Implement all appropriate National, PCH and Local Home Treatment policies and protocols.

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING

Essential criteria

• RMN /RN (Mental Health) • Diploma or Degree with minimum 2 years post qualification experience. • ENB 998 or equivalent course • Evidence of Further Continuous Professional Development • ENB 603 • RMN 1st level with the NMC - Nursing • Dip SW, RN (Mental health), Social Worker

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Essential criteria

• Experience of working with Young people and their families or mental health patients in the acute/crisis setting • Experience of working with young people with acute and enduring mental health illness with complex needs • Experience of working with young people with challenging behaviour, high risk and self harm. • Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team. • Sound understanding of the role of Home Treatment Team • Evidence of professional and clinical knowledge acquired through specialist short courses, mandatory training, and self study. • Experience and the ability to plan, organise and delegate a broad range of activities to meet the requirements of the service and the day to day management of the Team, as delegated. • Knowledge and understanding on the application of Trust policies and procedures. • Technical knowledge and skills in the use of computers. Experience in implementing nursing/ clinical procedures. • Specialist Nursing Process skills in bio-psychosocial Assessment, formulating of care plan, implementation and evaluation of care. • Administration of oral Medications • Demonstrate clinical skills in the administration of intramuscular injections and medication management. • Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983, Community Care Act 1990, National Service Framework, NHS Implementation Plan, Clinical and Social Governance. • Sound knowledge and understanding of the Children Act • Sound understanding of Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. • Knowledge and application of Care Programme Approach, Risk assessment and Risk management. • Working knowledge of Adult Protection and Child Protection. • Sound Knowledge of the breakaway techniques. • Ordering, checking and storing of medications • Management of infection control and clinical waste • Basic wound management. • Knowledge and understanding of the Trust Clinical Procedures and the applications of them in day to day practice • Evidence based knowledge and understanding of current mental illness, treatment and how the illness affects the young persons' life. • Ability to be able to identify high risk situation and respond appropriately. • Ability to work with other agencies to formulate care packages to meet young persons needs.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITY COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Essential criteria

• Able to communicate information which is contentious including where there are barriers to understanding. • Able to communicate complicated highly sensitive, confidential information in difficult situations. • Ability to communicate in a highly emotive atmosphere. • Ability to communicate in a hostile and antagonistic atmosphere. • Ability to describe, explain, persuade, influence, negotiate, motivate, use tact/diplomacy, and use empathy in providing care for young people and their families. • Good written and verbal communication skills. • Basic teaching and assessing skills. • Supervisory skills. • Good team player

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

Essential criteria

• Ability to make decision & problem solve of complex and conflicting situations. • Ability to make judgements and match skills mix and the needs of the young people in delivering care. • Ability to make judgements on treatment where young people and their families are unable to give complete information. • Ability to assess young people and their family and make judgements on their suitability taking into account the risks and whether they are suitable for home treatment or hospital admission or community services • Ability to make judgements in a crisis where an expert opinion may need to be sought such as consultation with the consultant. • Able to assess and manage crisis. • Complete audit processes & adapt/adjust practices accordingly. • Analyse & Interpret data and/or information. • Able to work without direct supervision. • Ability to plan and organise own time on a day to day bases. • Plan and organise teaching sessions in the Team • Time Management skills. • Ability to work autonomously and within the team. • Able to meet deadlines. • Ability to plan and organise various meetings such as transfer meetings, clinical review meetings, and multi-professional and multi-agency meetings. • Plan and organise treatment plans in conjunction with young people and their families. • Ability to plan, organise and coordinate induction programmes for new staff and students to the Service

PHYSICAL SKILLS

Essential criteria

• Basic keyboard skills required. • Able to access information using Trust data systems. • Able to use Excel, Words, PowerPoint and word processing. • Able to use the intranet and internet for keeping up to date with relevant National Mental Health Development. • Ability to use and communicate on E-mail following the Trust policies and procedures • Car driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)

PHYSICAL EFFORT

Essential criteria

• Able to handle and manipulate small equipment (e.g. giving injection). • Ability to take blood, monitor blood pressure, pulse, temperature and respiration. • Ability to be mobile. Evidence of current and valid driving license. • Ability to assist young people in attending to their personal care. • Ability to restrain young people in a crisis (basic self- defence) and be able to leave the situation quickly if possible for individual safety.

MENTAL EFFORT

Essential criteria

• Ability to maintain concentration within an unpredictable work pattern and environment. • Ability to cope and respond to interruption in the course of work and re-prioritise work as a result of it. • Ability to concentrate when carrying out duties such as checking detains documents, taking details information from referrers, carrying out assessment, carrying out therapy, carrying out clinical interventions, inputting details information on the computer system, undertaking report writing and analysing details statistics related to the team workings.

EMOTIONAL EFFORT

Essential criteria

• Ability to be able to provide a service to young people and their family at times when they are under distress and can be angry. • Ability to give unwelcoming news to young people, carers and families such as changing appointments, transferring back to other services. • Ability to work with challenging behaviour and emotionally demanding young people. • Ability to provide the emotional support to colleagues following difficult situations where they found themselves at risk from young people and carers or others. • Ability to travelling to and from young people's homes in the community in all weather conditions. • Ability to working with young people and their families who may at times due to their illness neglects the cleanliness in the home. • Ability to working with young people and families who may expose you to shouting, swearing and verbal abuse or attack due to deterioration in their mental condition in extreme circumstances. • Ability to attend to young peoples' personnel hygiene which may expose you to unpleasant body fluids, smells and orders.

References will be required to cover your last 3 years of employment/training. One has to be from your current or most recent employer and the others from your previous employer. The references should be from persons with management responsibility or HR.

If you have been unemployed for a period of four years or more, please give the details of your last employer and one character referee of your choice (not members of your family). If more applicable, references will be requested from your teacher or head of faculty. Please ensure you provide full contact details.

Vacancies that are advertised as Fixed Term Contracts will also be available as secondment opportunities for substantive internal staff.

Please be aware that your documents eg. Passport/NI Card, will be electronically scanned using Home Office accredited Verification System.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts, we will close vacancies before the stated closing date once the first 50 applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

All non-medical posts with the Trust are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the Trust's satisfaction, your suitability for the position in which you will be employed.

Should you not hear from us within three working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted.

By applying for this role, you accept in the event you are successful that your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which is aimed at improving efficiencies within the NHS both to make costs savings for NHS organisations but also to save you time when your employment transfers.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

Documents to download

• Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, 248.4KB)
• Functional Requirements (PDF, 258.2KB)
• Applicant Information Pack (PDF, 1.6MB)