Specialist Community Forensic Practitioner

NHS Jobs; Holzwickede; On-site; EUR 59,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5% High Cost Allowance

Job summary

NHS Jobs is seeking a Specialist Community Forensic Practitioner to coordinate care for service users in secure settings transitioning to the community. You will work with a multi-disciplinary team, conduct holistic assessments, write care plans and manage risk in line with policy.

Role covers Essex, with flexible hours and some on-call expectations. RMN, Social Work, or OT qualifications are acceptable; post-qualification experience is essential.

Qualifications

• RMN with at least 12 months post-qualification experience, or a recognised Social Work qualification, or a degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy.
• Evidence of post-qualification training.
• At least 12 months' experience at Band 5 or equivalent in relevant settings.

Responsibilities

• Act as care coordinator for a small caseload within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Complete holistic assessments and write individual care plans.
• Carry out risk assessments and manage risk with appropriate plans.
• Attend reviews, case conferences and MDT meetings and address discharge blockers.
• Support discharge to the community and assist readmission as needed.
• Maintain clinical records and provide evidence-based interventions.
• Follow Mental Health Act, CPA, and related guidance; use HCR-20 as needed.
• Communicate with partner services and families while maintaining confidentiality.

Skills

Care coordination

Risk assessment

Mental Health Act knowledge

Effective communication

Crisis coordination

Team collaboration

Education

RMN registration or equivalent

Social Work qualification

Occupational Therapy degree/diploma

Job description

Specialist Community Forensic Practitioner

Detailed job description and main responsibilities About the teamThe Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT) supports people in secure settings before, during and after discharge, so they can move into the community at the right time. The team is mainly focused on service users at Brockfield House and other secure services. It covers the whole of Essex and is based at 2 Heath Close, Billericay. You will report to the Service Manager. The team is moving towards a new model, with the service organised into three geographical teams across Essex and extended hours, including evening and weekend working, across 7 days. This is still under consultation, so the final team structure and shift pattern have not been agreed. The successful candidate will be expected to work flexibly within the model once it is in place.

Clinical

• Act as care coordinator for a small caseload, working with the multi-disciplinary team
• Take part in holistic assessments and write individual care plans with service users
• Complete risk assessments and risk management plans in line with EPUT policy, using forensic tools such as the HCR-20
• Attend inpatient reviews, case conferences and multi-professional meetings, and raise anything that could delay discharge as early as possible
• Support the MDT to discharge service users safely to the community, and help with readmission when it is needed
• Review care plans and check the quality of care, taking action where needed
• Provide evidence based interventions, including psycho-social interventions, as part of the team
• Monitor service users' mental and physical health in the community
• Make decisions and coordinate care in a crisis, getting advice from other professionals when needed
• Follow local and national guidance on ordering, carrying, giving, supervising and storing medication
• Keep clear, accurate and up to date clinical records

Mental Health Act and legislation

Support service users, carers and colleagues through the Mental Health Act 1983, in particular the rules for conditionally discharged patients in the community

Work within the Care Programme Approach, Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding and child protection guidance

Working with others

Keep good communication about each service user with the agencies involved in their care

Work with partners such as Recovery and Wellbeing teams, substance misuse services, accommodation providers and third sector organisations

Share information correctly and keep it confidential when working with the Police, Probation, MAPPA and social services

Work closely with families and carers, and involve service users and carers in developing the service

Give advice on good mental and physical health to service users, carers and other professionals

Leadership and supervision

• Support and guide staff, and give management supervision where appropriate
• Act as Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor for students
• Help with the induction and training of staff and students
• Help with the day to day running of the team and act up for the Team Leader when they are absent
• Promote good integrated team working

Governance and development

• Contribute to clinical governance, quality assurance, audit and research within the team
• Take part in team meetings and suggest new ways of working
• Complete mandatory training, take part in appraisal and keep your own knowledge up to date
• You may be asked to join an on call rota

What we are looking for

• RMN with at least 12 months post-qualification experience, or a recognised Social Work qualification, or a degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of post-qualification training
• At least 12 months' experience at Band 5
• Experience of care coordinating a group of service users and of assessing, planning, putting in place and evaluating care
• Good knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983, CPA, mental Capacity Act, safeguarding and risk assessment
• Good written and verbal communication and IT skills
• Full UK driving licence and the ability to travel across Essex
• Experience of working in secure environments, an HCR-20 qualification and knowledge of forensic and community services in Essex would be an advantage.

£49,387 - £56,515 annum + 5% High Cost Allowance