Approved Mental Health Professional - AMHP Hub

Cornwall Council; England; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) to join their hub service. The role involves conducting timely Mental Health Act assessments across various settings and collaborating with team members and health partners to support individuals in crisis. The ideal candidate must possess an AMHP warrant and have considerable experience in mental health services. This position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Salary range of £44,919 to £53,558

26 to 29 days of annual leave

Access to wellbeing initiatives

High-quality supervision

Career progression support

Qualifications

• Registered as a Social Worker, Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Psychologist.
• Hold a current AMHP warrant.
• Minimum of substantial experience in handling mental health crises.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Mental Health Act assessments in various environments.
• Act as Shift Lead, prioritizing referrals and assessments.
• Collaborate with AMHP Team Manager for oversight of statutory activities.

Skills

Current registration as a Social Worker, Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Psychologist

Strong working knowledge of the Mental Health Act

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Ability to demonstrate anti-discriminatory and trauma-informed practice

Flexibility and resilience under pressure

Education

Approved Mental Health Professional status with a valid AMHP warrant

Substantial post-qualification experience in mental health services

Tools

Experience with Mosaic IT system

Job description

Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) – AMHP Hub Team

An exciting opportunity has arisen for experienced and motivated Approved Mental Health Professionals to join Cornwall Council’s AMHP Hub Service, a county-wide, 24/7 statutory service. We welcome applications from registered social workers, mental health nurses, occupational therapists, and psychologists who hold a current AMHP warrant.

The AMHP Hub plays a critical role in ensuring timely, compassionate, and legally compliant responses to people in mental health crisis. Operating across Cornwall, our AMHPs deliver Mental Health Act assessments and provide expert consultation, safeguarding, and decision‑making support in collaboration with health and social care partners, the police, and acute services.

We are proud of our strong team ethos, structured support model, and clear professional standards. This is a rewarding opportunity to work in a supportive, flexible, and challenging environment that values your expertise and offers opportunities for further development.

Main Responsibilities

• Undertake timely Mental Health Act assessments across a variety of settings, including individuals' homes, hospitals, places of safety, police stations, courts, prisons, and general hospitals.
• Act as a Shift Lead when required, prioritising referrals and ensuring assessments are appropriately triaged and allocated.
• Prepare robust, evidence‑based reports in accordance with legal frameworks and organisational policies, including applications to the Magistrates' Court and reports for legal proceedings involving Nearest Relatives or safeguarding matters.
• Work in collaboration with the AMHP Team Manager to ensure effective oversight of statutory activity and the efficient functioning of the 24/7 duty system.
• Promote alternatives to detention, including identifying least restrictive options and signposting to community‑based support where appropriate.
• Deliver practice that upholds human rights, protects individuals' liberty, and reflects principles of recovery, dignity, and inclusion.
• Use both paper‑based and digital systems to record and monitor statutory interventions accurately and within set timeframes (experience with Mosaic preferred).
• Engage in multi‑agency liaison to facilitate safe, timely, and coordinated responses to mental health crises.
• Take personal responsibility for maintaining AMHP approval and professional registration, including undertaking training, CPD, and reflective supervision.

Essential Requirements

• Current registration as a Social Worker, Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Psychologist with the relevant professional body.
• Approved Mental Health Professional status, with a valid AMHP warrant.
• Substantial post‑qualification experience in mental health services, including experience of working with individuals in acute crisis.
• Strong working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007), Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Human Rights Act, and associated Codes of Practice.
• A sound understanding of mental health conditions, treatment options, and strengths‑based, person‑centred social work approaches.
• Ability to demonstrate anti‑discriminatory and trauma‑informed practice that is sensitive to individuals’ diverse experiences and backgrounds.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and court presentation.
• A flexible and resilient approach, with the ability to work independently under pressure while contributing to a high‑functioning team.

Desirable Attributes

• Familiarity with Cornwall Council’s IT systems, including Mosaic, or willingness to learn.
• An interest in service development and a commitment to shaping best practice within the AMHP service.
• Willingness to mentor or support trainee AMHPs and contribute to the learning culture of the team.

Working Hours and Flexibility

• The AMHP Hub operates a dedicated 24/7 rota, with team members working a variety of shifts, including days, nights, weekends, and bank holidays.
• Shifts are allocated fairly, taking into account service need and individual preferences where possible.
• The service supports flexible working in line with Cornwall Council’s policy, including opportunities for compressed hours and remote working, depending on the needs of the Service.
• You must be able to travel across the county to meet the demands of the role.

What We Offer

• Salary: £44,919 to £53,558 per annum, plus enhanced payments for out‑of‑hours work.
• Annual leave: Starting at 26 days (plus bank holidays), rising to 29 days after 5 years' continuous service.
• Supervision & Development: High‑quality individual and peer group supervision, annual appraisal, and access to regular CPD opportunities, including reapproval support and post‑qualifying AMHP training.
• Pension: Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme, with the option to access the Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC) scheme.
• Career Progression: Support to pursue advanced roles and contribute to the future development of mental health services in Cornwall.
• Staff Wellbeing: Access to wellbeing initiatives, mental health support, and flexible working to support work‑life balance.
• Renumeration: Payment of your Social Work England registration fees.

Please note: At this time, we are unable to consider overseas applications.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service.

This post is considered by Cornwall Council to be a customer‑facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements.

For more information or an informal chat about the role please contact Stephanie Henshaw, Service Manager, Clare Jackson Team Manager or Cate McLaughlin on 01872 - 322222.

Additional Information: Cornwall Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship or transfer existing sponsorship for this role.

The full role profile is attached here.

We recommend saving a copy of this to refer to if you are invited to an interview.

Application Process

Please attach a supporting statement to your application. You can add your Education & Qualifications details manually using the application form timeline or you can upload your CV. Remember to demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points marked as ‘Application’ on the Role Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. Guidance on how to complete your application can be found here – The application process.

Please note that applications cannot be edited after they have been submitted, so please contact [e-mail] if you have any queries or require assistance with your application.

Existing employees must apply using their Cornwall Council email address through the Opportunity Marketplace on Oracle.