Approved Mental Health Practitioner

Hampshire Shared Services Partnership; Winchester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market supplement up to £5,000

14% alternating shift allowance

LGPS pension

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Hampshire County Council in Winchester is seeking an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) to lead complex decisions under the Mental Health Act. The role centers on safe, person-centred planning for detention and admission, within a supportive, reflective team environment.

You will coordinate assessments from referral to completion, mentor trainees, and collaborate across disciplines to achieve positive outcomes. A 37-hour week and a permanent contract with generous benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) qualification.
• Registered with the relevant professional body (e.g., Social Worker, Mental Health Nurse, OT, or Practitioner Psychologist).
• Solid knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Code of Practice.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• Commitment to empathetic, person-centred practice and rights of those assessed.
• Flexibility to work 24-hour shift patterns (evenings/nights, weekends, bank holidays).

Responsibilities

• Coordinating the assessment process under the Mental Health Act, from referral to completion.
• Ensuring safe hospital admissions or alternative care arrangements with least restrictive practice.
• Robust risk assessment and management to minimise risks.
• Collaborating across disciplines, negotiating with individuals, families, carers and professionals.
• Overseeing the Duty AMHP role, screening and allocating referrals.
• Mentoring AMHP trainees and advising colleagues on legal aspects of AMHP work.

Job description

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC625292
Salary Range: £41,985 - £46,565 per annum, plus Market Supplements of up to £8,000 per annum and Shift Allowance
Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 15 November 2026
Interview Date: w/c 30 November 2026

The Role:

Joining us as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP), you’ll be an integral part of our team, leading on complex decision-making processes regarding the legal and ethical aspects of detention under the Mental Health Act.

You’ll thrive in a supportive team environment where sharing experiences and learning from each other is encouraged. You’ll have opportunities to participate in group and individual reflective practice, allowing you to expand and develop your knowledge and expertise.

What you’ll do:

• - Coordinating the assessment process under the Mental Health Act, from referral to completion.
• - Ensuring safe hospital admissions or alternative care arrangements, with a focus on person centred & least restrictive practice.
• - Robust risk assessment & management, minimising potential risks to the individual, others and the assessing team.
• - Collaborating in a multi-disciplinary manner, effectively negotiating with individuals, their families, carers and other professionals to achieve positive outcomes.
• - Undertaking the Duty AMHP role, overseeing the team’s workflow, screening and allocating referrals into the service.
• - Mentoring AMHP trainees and providing advice to colleagues on the legal aspects of AMHP work.

What we’re looking for:

• - Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) qualification.
• - Qualified Social Worker, Mental Health or Learning Disabilities Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Practitioner Psychologist, registered with the relevant professional body.
• - Sound knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Code of Practice.
• - Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• - Commitment to empathetic, person-centred practice and dedication to upholding the rights of the individuals you assess.
• - Flexibility to work shift patterns, as we provide a 24-hour service. Shifts will include working evenings/nights, weekends and bank holidays.

Why join us?

• - Make a difference: Watch these short videos to find out more about the important work our AMHPs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmnUC5mnvEk) and Mental Health Teams (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eioMeiibBM) do.
• - Career growth : View our career pathways (https://www.hants.gov.uk/jobs/careers/adultsocialworkercareers/ourroles) for more information about opportunities within our Adults Social Work service.
• - Professional development: Continuous learning and supportive supervision.
• - Work-life balance: Enjoy a fulfilling career with a good balance between work and home life.
• - Employee support: Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• - Enhancements: Our AMHPs are paid a market supplement of up to £5,000 per annum dependent on experience, as well as a 14% alternating shift allowance, and Senior Social Workers are eligible for a further £3,000 market supplement upon completion of their Excellent Practice Validation portfolio.
• - Competitive benefits package : Including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here (https://www.hants.gov.uk/jobs/whychooseus/benefits).

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

Other job titles you may be searching for: Social Worker, Community Psychiatric Nurse, Occupational Therapist, OT, AMHP, Mental Health Nurse, Senior Social Worker, Social Work Practitioner.

Travel Requirements:

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

Values Based Recruitment:

We recruit for attitudes and values in Adults’ Health and Care. We invite you to evidence how you demonstrate our 5 core values in your application. For more information on our values, please refer to the candidate pack.

Additional Information:

Approved Mental Health Practitioner Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

For general enquiries, please contact [e-mail]

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Jo Ackerman Team Manager on [e-mail]

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.