Approved Mental Health Professional Service Manager

Description:

Fixed Term 12 Months

Full Time 37 hours per week

Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Service

AMHP Service Manager (daytime) - secondment or fixed term contract opportunity

This post is assigned to Devon Partnership NHS Trust and open to those currently approved (or eligible for approval, subject to Devon County Council’s approval process) to practice as an AMHP.

Candidates must have the appropriate professional registration for their discipline and provide a registration number with their application.

This post is full time, Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week (consideration will be given to part-time/flexible working arrangements). This post is offered as either an internal secondment opportunity (applicants must have secured the agreement of their line manager/organisation) or fixed term contract (one year, with the potential for a further one year extension).

Grade: L8 £61,683 per annum

We welcome applications from global majority and minority ethnic communities who are currently under-represented in our workforce.

Our service
The Devon AMHP Service is recognised as a national example of good practice and has been involved in the development of the AMHP National Service Standards and other initiatives related to the role. We are constantly seeking ways to improve our service, including how best to capture and utilise the voices of those that have experienced assessment under the Mental Health Act and to further improve practice for the benefit of those who encounter our service.

We are also committed to improving the service we offer in order to help address the types of racial disparity in mental health services, as highlighted during the Review of the Mental Health Act and the subsequent legislative and practice developments. We are also committed to supporting the recommendations of Devon County Council’s Race Equality Audit.

Key tasks

* Responsible for the direct line management of four locality AMHP Team Managers and a business support officer

* Professional supervision and support to our Out of Hours AMHP Team Manager colleagues

* Ensure sufficient rota cover and to contribute to rotas as an AMHP at times of high demand

* Support the ongoing governance and oversight of conditionally discharged individuals with partner agencies, ensuring the allocation of social supervisors for this purpose.

* Oversight for the recruitment, appointment and development of AMHPs and Trainee AMHPs

* Continue to promote adherence to the National AMHP Service Standards

* Promote anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice

* Consider opportunities for co-production and co-design for those who come into contact with AMHP Services

* Provide professional leadership and best practice to all AMHPs in DCC

* Contribute to the operational and strategic aims of both the local authority and the Trust

* Promote the role of the AMHP within the wider system, provide strategic insight and operational experience into areas of work, such as Right Care, Right Person and Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space.

Approved Mental Health Professionals (assigned)
The role of daytime AMHPs within Devon County Council has significantly changed in recent times. Consisting of four locally dedicated AMHP teams, with support from those AMHPs based in Adult Social Care. Our AMHPs no longer carry caseloads within community teams. Instead, our AMHPs work more flexibly with internal and external partners to ensure a more robust response to those individuals who are at risk of being detained, or restricted, under the Mental Health Act.

As a service we aim to empower AMHPs to utilise the full scope of consideration afforded to them by the Act, the Code of Practice and evidence-based practice.

Along with frontline duty, our AMHPs routinely and proactively work with crisis teams, wards, community teams, street triage, police, CAMHS and other services to ensure the most appropriate legal response. In addition, our AMHPs will also have a small allocation of community MHA and social supervision patients with the aim of supporting those individuals and their treating teams with the management of those orders.

Professional support and on-going training
All AMHPs and Trainees receive regular individual and peer group supervision and appraisal. Teams are supported to have regular team days. Successful candidates will be expected to contribute to both their own learning and that of others. Devon County Council also offers a programme of post-qualifying AMHP training in order to support your practice and on-going approval as an AMHP.

As a service we are keen to support colleagues to find creative and interesting ways to share specialist AMHP knowledge and support the learning of those outside our team.

About you
You will be a be a registered social worker, occupational therapist or mental health nurse with a proven commitment to professional development and experience of working with people in mental health crises. In particular, we are interested in those who are seeking to develop and improve themselves and AMHP services and are open to working flexibly and creatively wherever possible. You should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of co-production and a willingness to engage with experts by experience.

You should hold current AMHP approval or be able to submit a portfolio to be approved in-line with Devon County Council’s policies.

You must be able to demonstrate an excellent appreciation and understanding of the European Convention of Human Rights, be committed to the principles of mental health legislation, with a strong focus on recovery principles and awareness of the impact mental disorder can have on an individual, their family, carers and supporters. You should have demonstrable experience in statutory mental health services, with a specific focus on risk management and multi-agency working. While AMHP practice often focusses on the independence of their decision-making, we also strongly value team working and support as peers to help each other achieve the high standards that we aspire to.

As the AMHP Service Manager, you will be expected to work in partnership with multiple agencies and organisations to promote the role and expertise of AMHPs in order to secure the best outcomes possible for the people of Devon.

What we can offer you

* We are committed to your continuous professional development, doing all we can to help you to get the most from your career. You will receive excellent support and supervision, with regular opportunities to discuss and reflect on your practice, both with your line manager and peers.

* We offer 26 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, rising incrementally to 31 days after 5 years’ service.

* Flexible working opportunities are available, these include part-time hours, flexitime, compressed working hours and homeworking (this is subject to the needs of the role – please discuss at further at interview)

* Offer an opportunity to enter a generous Local Government Pension Scheme.

* As a place to live and work, Devon is hard to beat with top-performing schools, universities, vibrant cities, pretty villages and some of the most scenic coast and countryside in the UK. Living and working in Devon as an AMHP Service Manager has never been more attractive.

Closing date: Tuesday 18th June 2024 (midnight)

Interviews: It is anticipated that interview will take place via MS Teams 28th June 2024.

Please click Apply Now to see further information.

* DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.

* Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.

* We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

* This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

* Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.

* For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.

* This role requires a DBS disclosure