Senior 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 for a forward thinking and motivated senior mental health practitioner to work within the Police and court services across north and central London sites which is part of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust. The post holder will remain flexible working across the north and central London sites which include police custody suites, Crown and Magistrate's Court's and British Transport Police stations over a total of nine sites. The post holder will provide an all age autonomous screening and assessment service at the respective sites; respond professionally to requests for information and assistance; utilise their discretion as an independent professional and understand the importance of partnership working within the police and court services. An excellent awareness of the care pathway for vulnerable children and adults is essential when undertaking the mental health practitioner role within Liaison and Diversion services.

Our service passionately believes in the importance of quality improvement which is about creating a culture where everyone has a voice and where service users and staff work together to make a difference for those whom are most in need of the service. The senior mental health practitioner will understand the role of service development and fully participate in the process of supervision, audit and training in order to ensure the service meets expectations in terms of the highest quality of care.

Main duties of the job

You will be able to undertake comprehensive mental health and risk assessments; develop effective risk management plans, provide brief interventions and be confident in signposting individuals whom come through the range of services and require follow up outside of the scope of Liaison and Diversion services. Knowledge of broader mental health services is important in delivering this role in an effective manner and there is an emphasis on working with other professional disciplines, sharing knowledge and skills whilst advocating for the service user. Understanding of relevant legislation is important within this role.

The post holder will have excellent awareness of confidentiality and information sharing guidelines at all times. This information may be both complex and sensitive and require excellent communication and negotiation skills to provide the service as an autonomous and independent senior practitioner within these environments. The applicant will be responsible for assessment of information in partnership with the criminal justice system and other agencies to determine the level of risk to people with mental health issues or other vulnerabilities.

Please note that as this role is working alongside police additional high-level security vetting is a requirement of the role. The role will require security clearance to SC level with the Metropolitan Police Service and / or the British Transport Police. Full DBS clearance will be required for this position.

Working for our organisation

The partnership between Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust (BEH) and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (C&I) is going from strength to strength since it was originally established in 2021 forming the North London Mental Health Partnership.

The postholder will need to be comfortable working in an environment of complex matrix management arrangements and will at all times behave and align with our Trusts' values and cultural pillars:

• We are kind
• We are respectful
• We work together
• We keep things simple
• We empower
• We are proudly diverse

In order to meet the needs of the new Partnership services you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that fall under Barnet, Enfield and Harringay Trust and Camden and Islington Trust. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE:

• In essence, this service is a coordinated and integrated approach by secondary care mental health services to identify triage and engage those in police custody that present with either existing or acute health or social vulnerabilities, and to provide earlier intervention within the mentally disordered offender pathway. This service is for people of all ages.
• The enhancement and development of relationships within criminal justice services and building strong links between Healthcare, Social Services and the Criminal Justice system itself is an essential part of the post holder's role.
• A team of autonomous mental health liaison workers are based within custody suites across Camden, Islington, and Haringey feeding into Wood Green Crown Court and Highbury Corner Magistrates Court with support and supervision provided by the Clinical and Operational Leads. Liaison and Diversion support is also provided to the British Transport Police based at three sites over central and north London.
• Their role is to screen individuals identified as having mental health problems, and any other vulnerabilities, provide on-going assessment (including awareness and understanding of other factors including physical health, use of drugs and alcohol, learning difficulties and speech, language and communication issues), immediate case management and to formalize timely and sensitive sharing of information between police, court and mental health services.
• Additionally, we are seeking to develop innovative approaches to working with mental health services, both locally and across London, for example, through attendance at community teams, linking with YOTs and CAMHS services, participating in service reviews and recording information that demonstrates and supports the benefits of liaison and diversion.
• The service will continue to build on current practice and the strong partnership already developed between secondary mental health services, third sector care providers, local probation and the judiciary. These links are further strengthened by clinical input from the mental health nurses at the police stations.
• Some unsocial hour working may be required-the current hours of operation are from Monday to Sunday 8am to 9pm at most current sites.

JOB SUMMARY:

• Maintain clinical direction and leadership, coordinating a team of clinical staff for a consistent provision of high-quality mental health care to people with mental health vulnerabilities in crisis within police custody and hold continuing responsibility for the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of therapeutic care.
• Supports the development of a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
• Ensure that the voices of service users, their carers and criminal justice professionals are heard so that a high standard of care is provided, and the service develops in the best way to meet their needs.

Ensuring there is:

• A framework for the ongoing clinical supervision and caseload management within the team, and for monitoring standards of clinical practice.
• Regular time and space for team reflection-this may be on an individual ad-hoc or planned team basis.

• Responsibility during core hours for ensuring there are adequate staffing resources to provide the service.

• Flexibility, organizing resources according to the needs of the service.
• A deputy function for the Operational Lead as and when needed.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead as an autonomous senior practitioner in police custody suites. The post holder will also be expected to assess an individual's mental state and risk and within the context of the alleged offence and the criminal justice system, then implement a care pathway for each individual.
• Proactively screen and receive referrals from custody suites, responding in a timely manner to assess detained people deemed to be mentally vulnerable or to be suffering from a mental illness.
• Review and supervise junior practitioners' records of full mental state and risk assessments, and the collection of background history for individuals who will present with a wide variety of needs. This will include those with a serious mental illness or personality disorder and associated learning, social, personal, dependency and substance misuse issues.
• Prepare accurate written reports following assessment, in line with agreed quality standards.
• Make clinical judgements in police custody on situations as they arise or change and communicate these clearly and effectively.
• Possess a high standard of interpersonal skills required to manage the complex and often conflicting needs and wants of those involved in the process.
• Have access to confidential multi-agency sensitive information and to be aware of the potential public and media interest that this may generate, dealing with these issues in line with Trust policies regarding confidentiality.
• Facilitate appropriate signposting and referrals, and/or provide interventions in close collaboration and liaison with other relevant agencies utilising a robust working knowledge and understanding of local services.
• Facilitate diversion to the mental health pathway when appropriate and necessary.
• Have a sound working knowledge of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 and the PACE Codes of Practice 2004 to ensure that all necessary interventions are carried out when acting as Appropriate Adult or CPN to ensure that the rights and interests of the mentally vulnerable are safeguarded.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary team/business meetings.
• Maintain attendance and participation at appropriate clinical forums as required.
• Seek out appropriate opportunities to contribute to the delivery of health education and promotion in the community.
• Actively participate in individual line managerial supervision with Team or Service Manager.
• Ensure that the appropriate staffs are fully briefed of any referral that gives rise to clinical or other concerns.
• Administer prescribed medication as and when necessary, monitoring the effect and completing records to professional stands.
• Ensure that practice is in accordance with the Code of Professional Conduct relevant to the registration and mental health legislation, which incorporates and respects differences in respect of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, culture and disability.
• Pro-actively screen all young people in custody during operating hours using an agreed screening tool and liaise with the young person's local Youth Offending Team, CAMHS and GP as needed.
• Act as a role model in the practice area, encouraging staff in teaching and supervision to sustain a supportive learning environment.
• Be responsible for the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of programs of care for patients, incorporating risk assessment, to ensure safe and acceptable standards of care.
• Be responsible for the maintenance and accurate recording of patient information in the documentation systems and to ensure the effective dissemination of patient information throughout multidisciplinary teams and partners.
• Ensure effective working relationships and the regular review of working practices within the multidisciplinary team, other professionals and all the relevant agencies the team works in collaboration with.
• Ensure compliance with the requirements Safeguarding Adults and Children's policies. To ensure that staff have the required knowledge and skills to work within these procedures to support the safety of vulnerable adults and children.
• Recognize the role of advocacy, promoting the concept of autonomy and self-empowerment where possible and ensuring other members of the team work in concordance with this.
• Have an understanding of CJLS's KPI's and ensure team compliance with Trust CQUINs.
• Contribute to the planning and facilitation for the induction of new staff, in the progressing of educational programs for all staff and to evaluate and identify individual staff members' educational needs, ensuring professional updates and development are made when appropriate.
• To assist the Lead and Data Administrator with the collection of monthly and quarterly audit data as per Trust and Commissioning requirements.
• Participate in audit and research to enhance service development and Trust provision.
• Ensure that junior practitioners are conversant and suitably skilled in addressing the physical health needs of service users in conjunction with FME's, HCP's and Emergency Care services.

• Deputize for the Operational Lead when required.

• Utilize knowledge of the principles and practice research to create an environment where research awareness and an analytical approach to client care in the mental health Issues are valued by all staff.

• Encouraging participating research projects relevant to the team and its function.

• Act as a constructive agent for change and managing, implementing and supporting agreed changes in line with trust strategy and policy.
• Exercise professional accountability and responsibility.
• Maintain an environment in which there are equal opportunities and a commitment to diversity in its broadest sense in a non-discriminatory and inclusive manner.
• Practice with an awareness of the legal, ethical, socio economic and organizational aspects of care and health policy.

Person specification

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Essential criteria

• A professional qualification relevant to mental health practice
• RMN/Degree/Diploma in Nursing
• CQSW/Degree/Diploma in Social Work
• Occupational Therapy registration

Desirable criteria

• Second Degree-Masters

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential criteria

• Significant experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems.
• Experience in acute adult or CAMHS, multi-disciplinary community mental health services.
• A good understanding of recovery principles, the care programme approach and the role of secondary mental health services in the delivery of care

Desirable criteria

• Experience of giving written and oral evidence in a court or tribunal setting
• experience of working within the criminal justice system

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Essential criteria

• Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives about complex and sensitive issues remaining sensitive and empathetic
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including presentation of cases
• Ability to treat Service Users with respect and dignity, being culturally sensitive as appropriate, and consider the needs of the whole person
• Ability to manage autonomously within the criminal justice system as a silo worker

Desirable criteria

• Ability to manage conflicts within the criminal justice system achieving the best outcomes for those referred

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, 600.5KB)
• Functional Requirements (PDF, 258.2KB)
• L&D Band 7 job advert (PDF, 224.6KB)
• Applicant Information Pack (PDF, 1.6MB)