Approved Mental Health Professional

Hampshire County Council; Winchester; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market supplements up to £8,000 per An

Shift allowance 14%

Local Government Pension Scheme

Job summary

Hampshire County Council is seeking an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) to lead complex decision-making under the Mental Health Act. The role is based in Winchester with hybrid working and involves coordination of assessments, safe admissions, and collaboration with families and professionals.

The post offers a competitive salary, market supplements, and shift allowances, with support for professional development within a dedicated team.

Qualifications

• Approved Mental Health Professional qualification.
• Registered with the relevant professional body.
• Strong knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Code of Practice.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the entire assessment process under the Mental Health Act, from referral to completion, including follow-up support.
• Ensure safe hospital admissions or alternative care arrangements, minimising risk to individuals and others.
• Collaborate in a multi-disciplinary manner to achieve positive outcomes with families and other professionals.
• Mentor AMHP trainees and provide advice on legal aspects of AMHP work.

Skills

AMHP qualification

Professional registration

Mental Health Act knowledge

Communication skills

Flexibility to shifts

Education

Registered with professional body (AMHP/Social Worker/Nurse/OT/ Psychologist)

Job description

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Approved Mental Health Professional

Job Reference:HCC624380
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 (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Temporary (12 months)
Closing Date: 21 September 2026
Interview Date: 29 September 2026

The Role:

Joining us as an AMHP (Approved Mental Health Professional), 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. Here’s what one of our team members has to say:

“I’ve been with Hampshire AMHP service for the past 7 years. I appreciate how responsive, supportive, and flexible our AMHP leads are. Apart from amazing working relationships within the team, we have also established great working relationships with our Trust colleagues, and we support each other in achieving better outcomes for people in Hampshire who find themselves in crisis.”

What you’ll be doing:

• Coordinating the entire assessment process under the Mental Health Act, from referral to completion, including providing follow-up support.
• Ensuring safe hospital admissions or alternative care arrangements, with a focus on minimising risk to the individual, others and yourself.
• Collaborating in a multi-disciplinary manner, effectively negotiating with individuals, their families, carers and other professionals to achieve positive outcomes.
• 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.

• Make a difference:Watch these shortvideosto find out more about the important work our AMHPs and Mental Health Teams do.
• Career growth: View our career pathways 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 .

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 or other local authority, 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.

This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

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.