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Join a dynamic team as an MHA administrator at a leading healthcare provider where you'll manage critical mental health administration tasks. This role demands excellent administrative skills and knowledge of mental health legislation to ensure patient rights and provide necessary support. You'll work collaboratively within the healthcare system, training others, and contributing to governance and compliance activities amidst evolving mental health care frameworks.
Location: Exeter, EX2 5AF
Salary: £31049.00 to £37796.00
Date posted: 9th July 2025
Closing date: 24th July 2025
Thepost holder would occupy a specialised administration role within the Trustwhich involves the administration of all aspects of the Mental Health Act.Excellent administration and communication skills are essential to the role.The role of the MHA administrator is important in terms of ensuring thatpatients are legally detained and treated in accordance with the Mental HealthAct and the Code of Practice. The role involves responding to calls frompatients and their family/carers in respect of MHA detention and their rightsof appeal etc.
The postholder will work with a range of professionals involvedin the care and treatment of patients i.e. consultant psychiatrists, nursingand social work staff, Approved Mental Health Professionals etc. Theadministration team also works closely with the First Tier Tribunal Service,the Ministry of Justice, patients solicitors and the advocacy service.
The position is based inthe Exeter office, but all team members work flexibly at times of annual leave,sickness etc providing administrative cover to all the MHA administrationoffices within Devon and Torbay (North Devon District Hospital, Langdon Hospital,Torbay and South Devon hospital). This is often achieved by shared email accessrather than necessitating a physical presence in other offices.
The post holder will participatein governance activities,by providing relevant data and undertaking audit, evaluation and research andthe delivery of MHA trainingfor staff.
Thepost holder will receive and scrutinise MHA detention papers to ensure thesehave been completed correctly and are legally valid and will enter these ontothe patients' electronic record so that clinical staff can access informationthat is up to date. The administrator will ensure the patient and NearestRelative (with the patients' permission) is informed of their right of appealagainst their detention. The administrator will ensure the necessary paperworkis completed for the First Tier Tribunal service to hear the patients appeal.
Therole is both interesting and varied with a great deal of learning involved. MHAtraining is available, and administrators will shadow and be trained on thejob.There is also a possibility of gaining a qualification in MentalHealth Law.
WhilstMHA training will be provided to successful applicants, an understanding ofmental health/mental disorder is important plus a strong administrativebackground, good communication skills and the ability to work cohesively aspart of a small busy team.
Thisis an exciting time to become an MHA administrator, the new Mental Health Billwill be introduced in the near future and will make significant changes to theway in which assessment, treatment and care is provided to patients.
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job Purpose
This specialised role is to manage all aspects of the Mental Health Act (MHA) Administration for the Devon Partnership NHS Trust within a defined geographical area, however there will need to be flexibility in providing cover to other MHA offices at times when required,
The post holder will be required to process all MHA and MCA enquiries and the subsequent handling of information concerning individuals and their representatives (patients and their supporters including nearest relative, clinicians, legal representatives and/or advocates, the Hospital Managers, Tribunals Office, Care Quality Commission and Ministry of Justice (where appropriate).
The post holder will be expected to use their initiative to make decisions and give advice on all aspects of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act as a major responsibility of the role.
The post holder has responsibility for the timely and accurate creation, maintenance and storage of paper and electronic records and to maintain compliance with the Mental Health and Mental Capacity Acts, Trust Policy, General Data Protection Regulations, the Freedom of Information Act, confidentiality and any other relevant statutory requirements.
The post holder will be expected to participate in core clinical governance activities, by providing relevant data for audit, evaluation and research and the delivery of MHA and MCA training for all levels of staff.
Duties and Responsibilities
Communication & Working Relationships
The post holder will be required to:
Planning & Organisation
Responsibility for Judgement and Analysis
The post holder will:
1. The post holder will be responsible for receiving, scrutinising and processing MHA (and other related paperwork where appropriate, i.e. Guardianship, Deprivation of and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards) on behalf of the Trust.
2. Be required to investigate a variety of issues and propose solutions when dealing with complex enquiries.
3. Be able to understand interpret and apply the relevant legislation and current case law to the Acts
4. To have specialist detailed knowledge in the application of the MHA/ MCA and DOLS
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment & Therapy
Policy, Service, Research & Development Responsibility
The post holder will be:
Responsibility for Finance, Equipment & Other Resources
The post holder will be expected to use Agresso for the ordering of office equipment/stationery subject to managerial authorisation
Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership & Management
1. The post holder will provide day to day supervision of the MHA Admin Assistant (where appropriate)
2. The post holder will deliver training on the MHA/MCA and DOLS to a wide range of staff and clinicians
Information Resources & Administrative Duties
Any Other Specific Tasks Required
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Mental Health Legislation Professional Lead